How to replace Window Pane Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window can cause a lot of trouble. This can be an opportunity to upgrade to energy-efficient windows or insulated ones to enjoy benefits such as improved comfort, increased resale values and reduced utility costs.

It's a task you can do yourself for a fraction of the cost of hiring an expert. It requires the right tools and only an hour or two of your time.

Glass

Replace your old single-paned windows with tempered or insulated glass to increase energy efficiency, cut down on noise, Replace Window Pane and maintain the historical integrity of your old home. The majority of homeowners with basic hand tools can repair the window pane. Alongside a replacement windows pane, the following tools are required such as latex glazing putty; Glazier's points; pliers and a heat gun for warming the old putty, if necessary. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to starting. Working with broken glass could cause serious injuries.

Take away any broken glass pieces remaining. This is best done using the help of pliers though using a flathead screwdriver can also be used in a pinch. Use a wood chisel, or putty knives to remove any old putty remaining around the frame and window sash. Take your time and work slowly making sure not to damage the old window sash. This should be done on a ladder, not the ground. Also, ensure that someone on the ground to keep it in place.

Once you have removed all the old putty, prepare the window frame to fit the new pane. Find the width and the height of the sash opening by subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). These measurements can be taken to a hardware or home center store to have an item cut from glass stock to the proper size. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself, if you have the tools you need.

After putting in the new glass After installing the glass, apply a small amount of caulking to the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then install a glazier's point on the frame's opposite side to secure the pane in its place. The points shouldn't be too tight that they cause friction between the frame and sash but they should not be too loose.

Before applying the putty make sure to knead it until it is smooth and free of lumps. Cut it into pencil-sized pieces. Apply the first strip to the frame's corner. Work from one corner to another and ensure that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are the small triangular pieces which help to secure glass into a window frame without scratching or damaging the delicate surface. Learning how to use these tiny pieces of help is simple and can save you money on a professional installation or the cost of new glass.

After the old putty and the glazier's point are gone and the frame is thoroughly cleaned with a knife to get rid of any remaining residue. Lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves if needed to smooth rough areas. If you sand wood protect it with painter's tape to protect it from damage caused by accidental sanding.

Note down the dimensions of the frame. These measurements can be brought to an hardware or home centers store, and the new frame will be cut a bit smaller. This will ensure a snug fit and will allow room for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane in the frame and press it down with your hands. Then, you can use the point of your chisel or back of the putty knife to make a tap on the glazier's points as illustrated in Figure 11. When you're done taping, they should be level with the top edge of the pane. the raised shoulders of the points should be below the rabbet's rim groove.

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

Install the new window sash when the glazing compound has dried. First, you need to coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will keep the new putty from soaking up the moisture and deteriorating and cracking over time. Apply the coat using a brush or the tip of your knife, then employ the chisel or back end from the putty knife to gently hammer the new sash and glazier's point into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process every 10 inches around the frame's perimeter.

Putty

A hurled baseball or an unintentional rock, or a falling branch can cause a window to crack or break. Most windows can be replaced by installing a new piece. The glass is held in position by a small metal clip, called a glazier's point and putty. This compound is also referred to as glazing compound. Before installing a replacement pane, first remove the old one and clean up the area using a rag and an abrasive scraper that is a pull type or a wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while working. You'll need a heat gun if the window is glued into the frame.

If you are planning to reinstall your original sash, remove the molding that holds the old pane. Then you can sand the sash down to make sure it's flat and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is installed and sanded, apply a fresh silicone caulk around the glass to ensure that it won't leak or discolor over time.

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets, or the grooves in the sash that the glass is. If they're difficult to work out, try holding an instrument like a heat gun over them to soften them before you do. If you're using a heating gun, be cautious not to cause damage to the sash or its railings by using the tool too closely.

Create a bed for your new pane after you have removed the old glaze points and putty. Roll a rope made of glazing compound between your fingers and make it about 1/2 inch thick. Then, you can press it into the rabbets where the glass will rest. The glass should rest against the putty on both sides. If necessary you want to tap your glass lightly into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has cracked, you can apply a silicone caulk or glass glue that is based on solvents to cover the crack prior to pressing it in the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you'll need to apply putty to keep the water out. After the putty has dried then clean the oily film off the glass using an abrasive and allow it to completely dry before painting. If you paint before the putty is fully dry, it will not form a strong seal and may be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

If you've experienced a broken window pane, you may be worried about the expense of a new one. However, replacing one glass pane does not need to cost a fortune if you do it yourself. In fact, even a double-pane window can be replaced at less than the cost of a professional.

If you are working on a large-sized window, make sure it is securely fixed to the frame. Using the proper tools and techniques, you can complete this task easily and speedy.

When you are ready to begin, remove the old window pane. Take out the metal glazing points that are attached to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles which function as "nails" which hold the window in in the wood frame. They are buried beneath a bead or glazing glue that sets to form an unbreakable wedge which holds the wood frame securely in place and conceals the edges.

Once you have the old pane removed Clean up the frame and wood. Scrape off any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves, where the glazing points were. Sand them down to bare wooden surfaces, allowing you to paint the frames the same color. After sanding, apply a layer of flax oil on the bare wood to extend the life of the frame.

Next, measure the dimensions of the window opening. It is necessary to take horizontal and vertical measurements of the entire opening, and also 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 in times of seasonal changes. Bring these measurements to a hardware or home improvement store and have cut the glass 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.