How to replace window Pane Window Panes

A damaged window pane could cause a lot of trouble. It could be a chance to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones to enjoy advantages like improved comfort, increased resale value and reduced utility costs.

It's a project you can do yourself for only a fraction of the cost of hiring an expert. You only need the appropriate tools and a few hours of your time.

Glass

If your single-pane windows are old, deteriorating or broken replacing them with more modern glass that is tempered or insulated can increase energy efficiency and decrease noise while maintaining the historical integrity of older homes. The process of replacing a window pane is relatively simple and can be done by most homeowners who possess basic hand tools. In addition to a replacement pane, the following items are required for the replacement process: latex glazing putty glazier's points; pliers; and the use of a heat gun to warm the old putty, if necessary. Wear safety glasses and gloves before you begin. Working with broken glass could result in serious injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. It is recommended to use pliers however a flathead could be used equally. Use a wood chisel, or putty knives, to take away any old putty remaining around the frame and the window sash. Take your time and work slowly making sure not to break the existing window seal replacement sash. This should be done on a ladder, not on the ground. Also, ensure that someone on the ground to keep it in place.

After you've removed all the old putty, you can prepare the window frame to fit the new pane. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction by subtracting 1/8 inch from the measurements of width and height. Take these measurements to the nearest hardware store or home center, and find a piece glass cut to size. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself, if you have the right tools.

After putting in the new glass Apply some caulking to the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then install a glazier's point on each side of the frame to hold the pane in its place. The points shouldn't be too tight that they create friction between the sash and frame, but they also shouldn't be loose.

Before applying the putty, work it in a gentle manner until it's soft and free of lumps. Then you can roll it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be glued to the corner of the frame. Work from corner to corner to ensure it's even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are the tiny triangular pieces of steel that help secure glass into frames for windows without damaging or scratching the delicate surface. Knowing how to use these hidden little helpers is easy and can save you money on a professional installation or the cost of buying new glass.

After the old putty and glazier's points are removed and the frame is thoroughly cleaned with a knife to remove any remaining residue. Lightly sand the wood into the rabbet grooves to smooth rough areas. If you sand wood, protect it with painter’s tape to prevent accidental damage.

Measure the empty frame's dimensions and record precise measurements. Take these dimensions to a hardware store or home center and have the new pane cut smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a tight fit and leave room for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and press it in place with your hand. Then use the point of your chisel or back end of the putty knife to tap in the glazier's points, as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's points should be flush against the top edge of your pane, and the shoulders raised should be just below that lip.

Apply a thin layer of glazing compound on the rabbet grooves and the edges of the glass. This will seal and protect the edges. Allow it to dry and cure completely.

Install the new window sash when the glazing compound has dried. First, coat the wood with a heavy coat of linseed oil. This will prevent the newly-created putty from drying out or cracking due to the moisture it absorbs. Apply the coat using a brush or the tip of your knife, then use the chisel or the back end of the knife to gently hammer the new sash and glazier's tips into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.

Putty

A baseball hit or a rock thrown by error, or a fallen tree could result in a broken or cracked window. Fortunately, windows can be repaired by simply placing a new piece in place. The glass is held into place by a small metal clip, called a glazier’s point and putty. This compound is also referred to as glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area using the rag, a pull-type scraper or wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses when you work. If the window is secured to the frame, you'll have to make use of a heat gun to soften the adhesive prior to prying it free.

If you're planning to replace the original sash, take off the molding that supports the old pane. Sand the sash until it is flat and ready for new caulk. After the sash has been reinstalled it is possible to apply a silicone caulk to the glass. This will ensure that it won't get soiled or replace Window pane discolor over time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets and the grooves in the sash, where the glass is. If they are hard to chisel, hold a hand tool such as a heatgun over them for a few minutes to soften them. When using a heating tool, be sure to not scratch the sash and its railings.

Once the old points of glazing and putty are removed, prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, shaping it to be about 1/2-inch thick. Place it into the rabbets, where the glass will be placed. It's important that the glass is positioned against the putty in all places on both sides So if you have to, lightly tap the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can apply a silicone caulk or glass glue made from solvents to fill in the crack before pressing it in the sash. If the crack isn't sealed, you will require putty to keep water from getting in. After the putty has dried clean the oily film off of the glass and allow it to dry completely before you paint. If you paint before the putty has completely dry, it will not form a strong seal and may leak or discolor over time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a damaged piece of glass. However, replacing a single glass pane doesn't require a huge amount of money if you do it yourself. In fact windows with double panes can be replaced for less than the cost of an expert.

First, if you are working on a large-sized window, make sure that it is securely fastened to the frame. By using the correct tools and techniques you can make this task relatively easy and fast.

When you're ready to start taking off the old window by removing the glazing points made of metal that are connected to it. These are basically small metal triangles that act as "nails" that hold the window in place in the wood frame. They are placed beneath a layer of glazing putty, which transforms into a solid moulded wedge that secures the window in place and hides the points.

Once you have the old pane taken away Clean up the frame and wood. Scrape off any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points used to be. These should be sanded to the point of being bare, so that you can paint them the same color as the rest of the frame. After sanding the wood you can apply a layer flax oil. This will help to extend its life.

Then, take measurements of the dimensions of the window opening. It is necessary to take horizontal and vertical measurements of the entire opening as well as the thickness of the old pane. To get the exact size of the new pane, subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass during seasonal changes. You can bring these measurements to a hardware store 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.