How to replace window pane Window Panes

A cracked window pane can cause a lot of trouble. It can also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows to benefit from more comfort, higher resale value and reduced utility costs.

You can do it yourself for a only a fraction of the cost it would cost to hire an expert. It requires the right tools and only an hour or two of your time.

glass replacement windows

Replace Window Pane your single-paned windows with tempered insulated glass to increase energy efficiency, reduce noise, and preserve the historical integrity of your old home. The replacement of windows is simple and can be done by anyone with basic hand tools. You will also require a replacement window pane, glazier's tips pliers, and latex glaze putty. If you need to you can use a heating gun to warm the old putty. Wear safety glasses and gloves prior to starting. Working with broken glass could cause serious injuries.

Remove any broken glass pieces that remain. It is recommended to use pliers for this however a flathead could be useful as well. Utilize a wood chisel or putty knives, to take away any old putty remaining around the frame and window sash. Work slowly and carefully, taking care not to break the existing window sash. It is a good idea to do this on a sturdy ladder rather than the ground, and to have someone stand below the sash to help keep it in place.

Make sure the window frame is ready to accommodate the new pane when you have removed the old putty. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction by subtracting 1/8 inch from the measurements of the width and height. Bring these measurements to an hardware store or home center, and get a piece of stock glass cut to size. You can also cut the glass yourself, if you have the right tools.

After installing the glass, apply some caulking on the edges. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then, replace window Pane place a glazier's tip on the frame's opposite side to hold the pane in the right place. The points should not be so tight that they cause friction between the frame and the sash however they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty on the surface, you must knead it thoroughly until it becomes soft and free from lumps. Then, roll it into pencil-size strips. Apply the first strip in the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to another to ensure it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are the small triangular pieces of metal that help secure glass into frames for windows without scratching or damaging the delicate surface. It's easy to understand how to use this secret tool, and you'll save money on the cost of an installation by a professional.

After taking off the old putty, glazier points and any residue, clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife. If needed you can lightly sand the wood along grooves of the rabbets to smooth rough areas. If you sand wood, cover it with painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Take the dimensions of the frame and write down accurate measurements. Take these measurements to an hardware store or home center, and have the new pane cut smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a secure fit and leave room for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and push it in using your hands. Then, you can use the point of your chisel or the back of the putty knife to tap in the glazier's points, as illustrated in Figure 11. When you're done taping, they should be flush with the top edge of the pane, and the shoulders of the points should be below the lip of the rabbet groove.

Apply a small amount of glazing compound over the edges of the glass that has been made and into the rabbet grooves to seal and protect them. Allow it to dry and cure completely.

Install the new window sash when the glazing compound has dried. The first step is to coat the wood with a heavy coat of Linseed oil. This will stop the new putty from drying out and cracking when it absorbs moisture. Apply this coat using a brush or the edge of your putty knife, and then use the chisel or the back end of the putty knife to gently hammer in the new sash and glazier's point into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown, a rock thrown in error, or a tree falling could result in a broken or cracked window. Most windows can be repaired easily by simply putting in a fresh piece. The glass is held in place by a small metal clip, referred to as a glazier’s point and putty. This compound is also known as glazing compound. Before installing a replacement pane, first remove the old one and clean the area with the help of a rag, an abrasive scraper that is a pull type or the wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves while you do this work. You'll need a heat gun in the event that the window is glued to the frame.

If you're planning to install the original sash in the future, take care to remove the molding pieces that hold the old pane in place. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is installed and sanded, apply a fresh caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure that it doesn't swell or fade over time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets, or the grooves in the sash where the glass sits. If they're hard to chisel out, try placing an instrument like a heat gun over them to soften them up first. When using a heated tool, be careful to not scratch the sash's railings and sash.

Make the bed for your new pane after you have removed the old putty and glazing points. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your fingers, and make it around 1/2 inch thick. Press it into the rabbets, where the glass will be put. The glass must rest against the putty on both sides. If needed you want to tap your glass lightly into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has damaged, you can use the silicone caulk or glass glue based on solvents to fill in the crack prior to pressing it into the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you will require putty to keep water from getting in. Once the putty is dry clean the oily film off the glass and let it dry completely before painting. If you paint before the putty has completely dry, it won't create an effective seal and could be leaking or discoloring in time.

Paint

If you've had a broken window pane, you might be worried about the expense of a new one. In reality, replacing a single piece of glass doesn't have to be expensive when you do it on your own. In fact windows with double panes can be replaced at a fraction of the cost of a professional.

If you're working with a large glass window first, ensure that it is securely attached to the frame. With the right tools and techniques to make this task relatively easy and fast.

When you are ready to start taking down the old window pane. Pry out the metal glazing points attached to it. These are small metal triangles which act as "nails" to hold the window in the frame. They are buried beneath a layer of glazing putty that transforms into a solid formed wedge which holds the window in place and conceals the points.

After you have the old pane taken away Clean up the frame and wood. Scrape away any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves, where the glazing points were. These should be sanded to bare wood, so that you can paint them the same color replace Window Pane as the rest of the frame. After sanding, apply a layer of flax oil to the wood that is not sanded down to prolong its life.

Then, you need to measure the width of the window's opening. You will need to measure the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the entire opening as well as the thickness. To determine the exact dimensions of the new pane, subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass during seasons of changes. You can take these measurements to a hardware or home improvement shop and have the glass cut for you.

Now, it's time to bed the new window pane. To do this, place the pane inside the frame and move it around until a 1/16 inch of putty remains between the edge of the glass and the sash on all four sides. Use a putty knife to smear the putty evenly, making sure that there isn't an excessive amount of excess putty in the corners and along the edges. When the putty dries, it can be painted with the same color as the frame to prevent water and air from leaking into the frame and causing fogging.