How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane could be a nuisance. This can be an opportunity to upgrade to energy-efficient windows or insulated ones, and reap benefits such as improved comfort, increased resale values and lower utility costs.

It's a project you can do yourself for a fraction of the cost of hiring a professional. It requires the right equipment and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

Replace Window pane your old single-paned windows with tempered insulated glass to increase the efficiency of your energy, reduce noise, and protect the historic integrity of your old home. The process of replacing the window pane is easy and can be accomplished by homeowners with basic hand tools. In addition to a new pane, the following tools are needed such as latex glazing putty; glazier's points; pliers; and the use of a heat gun to warm the old putty if required. Before beginning, wear protective gloves and goggles since working with broken replacement glass for windows may cause injuries.

Take away any broken glass pieces that remain. This is best done using pliers, but a flathead screwdriver may be used in a pinch. Then, use a wooden chisel or putty knife to remove the rest of the old putty around the frame and the sash. Be careful and slow, taking care not to break the existing window sash. It is recommended to do this using a sturdy ladder instead of the ground, and to have someone standing below the sash in order to help hold it in place.

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

After putting in the new glass After installing the glass, apply caulking to the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Install a glazier's pointing on both sides of the frame. This will secure the pane. The points shouldn't be tight enough to cause friction between the frame and sash However, they should not be loose.

Before putting the putty on, knead it thoroughly until it is soft and free of lumps. Make it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip to the corner of the frame, working from one corner to another to ensure it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular metal pieces which help to secure the glass into the window frame without damaging the delicate surface. It's simple to learn how to use this secret tool and you can save money on the expense of an expert installation.

After getting rid of the old putty glazier points and any residue Clean the frame thoroughly using an utility knife. If necessary, lightly sand the wood along rabbet grooves to smooth out rough spots. If you decide to sand the wood, ensure you protect it by using painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Write down the exact 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 that the pane fits snugly and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and push firmly with your hands. Use the chisel's point or the back of the putty knife to tap the glaziers' points as shown in Figure 11. When you're done, they should be in line with the top edge of the pane. the shoulders of the points should be just below the rabbet's rim groove.

Apply a small amount of glazing compound on the edges of the new glass and in the rabbet grooves to seal and protect them. Allow it to dry and cure completely.

When the glazing compound is dry, you're ready to install the new window sash. The first step is to coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will prevent the new putty drying out or cracking as 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 grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball that is thrown or an unintentional rock, or falling branch could cause a window to break or crack. The majority of windows can be replaced by putting in a new piece. The glass is held in place using a small metal clip called a glazier's point and putty, often called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area with an abrasive, pull-type scraper or wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves 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 cutting it loose.

If you plan to reinstall the original sash in the future, take care to remove the molding pieces that are used to secure the old pane. Then sand the sash to ensure it's level and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is reinstalled then, you can apply a silicone caulk on 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 located. If they are hard to chisel, hold a hand tool like a heat gun over them to soften first. When using a heated tool, be sure to not scratch the sash and its railings.

Create a bed for your new pane after removing the old putty and glazing points. Roll a rope with glazing compound between your fingers, and then make it about 1/2 inch thick. Press it into the rabbets where the glass will be put. It is crucial that the glass is positioned against the putty on both sides, replace Window pane so if you need to do so, gently tap the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can cover it with a solvent-based glass glue or silicone caulk prior to pressing it into the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you'll require putty to keep water out. Once the putty is dry, wipe the oily film off of the glass and let it dry completely before painting. If you paint before the putty is fully dry, it will not form an effective seal and could discolor or leak over time.

Paint

If you've suffered a break in a window pane, you may be worried about the expense of replacing it. However, replacing one glass pane does not have to break the bank if you do it yourself. Even a double-paned window could be replaced at a fraction of the cost it would cost an expert.

First, if you are working on a large-sized window, make sure that it is securely attached to the frame. With the right tools and Replace Window Pane techniques to accomplish this task fairly easily and speedy.

When you're ready to start, begin by removing the old window pane by removing the glazing points of metal that are attached to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles which function as "nails" that hold the window in place in the wood frame. They are buried under a bead of glazing putty, which transforms into a solid moulded wedge that secures the window in place and conceals the edges.

After you have removed the old pane removed clean the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used, and sand the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were placed. Sand them down to bare wood surfaces, so that you can paint the frames with the same color. After sanding the wood you can apply a layer flax oil. This will help extend its life.

Next, measure the width of the window's opening. You'll need to determine the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the entire opening as well as the thickness. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure that you have the exact size for the new pane. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass during seasonal change. Take these dimensions to your local hardware or home improvement store, and they will have a piece 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.