How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window can be a nuisance. It could also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows, and reap benefits like greater comfort, a higher resale value and reduced utility bills.

It's a task you can tackle yourself at less than the cost of hiring a professional. You'll need only the appropriate tools and a few minutes of your time.

Glass

Replace window pane your single-paned windows using tempered or insulation glass to improve energy efficiency, cut down on noise, and preserve the historic integrity of your older home. The procedure of replacing a window pane is relatively easy and can be completed by anyone with basic hand tools. Alongside a replacement pane, the following components are needed: latex glazing putty; glazier's points; pliers; and an electric heater to warm the old putty, if needed. Before starting, put on gloves and safety goggles as working with broken glass may cause injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. It is best to use pliers however, a flathead may be useful as well. Utilize a wood chisel or putty knife to get rid of any old putty remaining around the frame and window sash. Work slowly and carefully making sure not to break the current window sash. It is recommended to work on a stable ladder instead of the ground and to have someone standing below the sash to help hold it in place.

After you have removed all the old putty, prepare the window frame for 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). Bring these measurements to an hardware store or home center, and find a piece glass cut to size. You can also cut the glass by yourself if you have the appropriate tools.

After installing the new glass After installing the glass, apply caulking around the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Install a glazier's point on both sides of the frame. This will help secure the pane. The points should not be so tight that they create friction between the frame and the sash However, they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty on the surface, knead thoroughly until it is smooth and free of lumps. Make it into pencil-sized strips. Place the first strip to the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to the other to ensure it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular pieces of metal that help secure glass into the frame of a window without scratching or damaging the fragile surface. It's easy to learn how to use this nefarious tool and you can save money on the cost of replacement windows uk of an installation by a professional.

After removing the old putty, glazier points, and any other remnants, clean the frame thoroughly using an utility knife. If necessary, lightly sand the wood along the grooves of the rabbet to smooth out rough areas. If you decide to sand wood, cover it with painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Note down the dimensions of the frame. Take these dimensions to a hardware store or a 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 replace window pane contraction.

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

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

Once the glazing compound has dried and the glazing compound is dry, you can install the new window sash. First, coat the wood with a heavy coat of Linseed oil. This will prevent the newly-created putty from drying out and cracking due to the moisture it absorbs. Apply this coat with a brush or the tip of your knife, and then use the chisel, or the back end from 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 fallen tree can result in a cracked or cracked window. Fortunately, windows can be repaired by simply placing a new piece of glass in its the proper place. The glass is held into position by a small metal clip, referred to as a glazier's point and putty. This compound is also referred to as glazing compound. Before installing a replacement pane, first take out the old one and clean the area using a rag and an abrasive scraper that is a pull type or the wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves when working. If the window is attached to the frame, you'll need make use of a heat gun to soften the adhesive before cutting it loose.

If you're planning to install the original sash, remove the molding pieces that secure the old pane. Sand the sash until it is flat and ready to receive new caulk. Once the sash is installed, you can apply a silicone caulk to the glass. This will ensure that it won't leak over time or discolor.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash where the glass is. If they are hard to cut, place the hand tool, such as a heatgun over them to allow them to soften before. If you're using a heat gun, be careful not to scratch the sash or its railings by placing the tool too closely.

Prepare a bed for your new pane by removing the old glaze and putty. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, forming it to be about 1/2-inch thick. Then, you can press it into the rabbets where the glass will rest. The glass must be positioned against the putty on both sides. If you need to you want to tap your glass lightly into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane has damaged, you can use the silicone caulk or glass glue based on solvents to seal the crack prior to pressing it into the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you will need to apply putty to keep water out. After the putty has dried, wipe the oily film off of the glass and allow it to 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

You might be worried about replacing a damaged piece of glass. But the truth is that replacing a single glass pane doesn't need to cost a fortune when you do it yourself. Even double-paned windows can be replaced at a fraction of the cost it costs an expert.

If you are working on a large-sized window, make sure that it is securely attached to the frame. By using the correct tools and techniques to make this task relatively easy and speedy.

When you are ready to begin with the removal of the window seal replacement pane. Remove the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. These are tiny triangles of metal that act as "nails", holding the window within the frame. They are placed beneath a layer of glazing putty, which hardens into a solid, molded wedge which holds the window in place and conceals the window's points.

After removing the old pane, clean the frame and the wood. Scrape off any old paint and sand the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were placed. Sand them down to bare wooden surfaces so you can paint the frames the same color. After sanding the wood you can apply a layer flax oil. This will help to prolong the life of the frame.

The next step is to measure the dimensions of the window opening. You'll need to determine the vertical and horizontal 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 change. You can take these measurements to a hardware or home improvement shop and get 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.