How to replace window pane Window Panes

A damaged window pane could be a nuisance. It could also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows to enjoy benefits such as improved comfort, increased resale value and reduced utility costs.

It's a project you can tackle yourself at less than the cost of hiring a professional. It requires the right tools and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

If your single-pane windows are outdated broken, deteriorating or damaged, replacing them with newer glass that is tempered or insulated can increase energy efficiency and decrease noise while preserving the original character of older homes. The process of replacing the window pane is simple and can be done by most homeowners who possess basic hand tools. You will also need an additional window pane, glazier's tips pliers, and latex glaze putty. If you need to you may use a heating gun to warm the old putty. Before beginning, wear protective gloves and goggles since working with broken glass could cause injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. It is recommended to use pliers for this however a flathead could be useful as well. Make use of a wood chisel or putty knife to get rid of any old putty that remains around the frame and the window sash. Be careful and slow and Replace window pane be careful not to damage the old window sash. This can be done best on a ladder, not on the ground. Also, have someone on the ground to keep it in place.

Prepare the window frame to receive 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 the width and height. These measurements can be sent to an hardware or home centers store to have cut a piece of glass that is in stock to the correct size. You can cut the glass yourself if you possess the appropriate tools.

After putting in the new glass, apply some caulking on the edges. This will make the glass weatherproof. Install a glazier's point on both sides of the frame. This will secure the pane. The points shouldn't be so tight that they cause friction between the frame and the sash however they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty to the surface, gently knead it until it is smooth and free from lumps. Cut it into pencil-sized pieces. The first strip should be glued 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 small triangular pieces of metal that allow glass to be secured to the frame without causing damage to the delicate surface. Knowing how to use these 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 the glazier's point are gone Clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife to get rid of any remaining residue. Lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves to smooth rough areas. If you do sand the wood, ensure you protect it with painter's tack to avoid accidental damage.

Take the dimensions of the frame and note down precise measurements. Bring these measurements to an hardware store or home center and request that the new pane cut slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure that the pane fits comfortably and allows for expansion and contraction.

Insert the new pane into the frame and press it down using your hands. Then, you can use the point of your chisel or the back end of the putty knife to make a tap on the glazier's points, as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's points should be in line with the top edge of the pane and the shoulders raised should be just below the lip.

Apply a thin layer of glazing compound on the rabbet grooves as well as the edges of the glass. This will protect and seal the edges. Let it dry and cure fully.

Install the new window sash after the glazing compound has dried. First, saturate the wood with a heavy coat of Linseed oil. This will stop the new putty from drying out and cracking due to the moisture it absorbs. Use a brush to apply this coat, or even the tip of the blade. Then use the chisel that is on the back of the putty tool or the back of the handle to gently hit the new sash, or glazier's point into grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.

Putty

A hurled baseball or a rock that is errant or a fallen branch can cause a window to crack or break. Luckily, most windows can be easily replaced by simply placing a new piece in the proper place. The glass is held in place using a small metal clip called a glazier's point and putty, often called glazing compound. Before installing a replacement window handle 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 safety glasses and gloves when working. You'll require a heat gun when the window is fixed into the frame.

If you are planning to reinstall your original sash, remove the mold that holds the old pane. Then sand the sash to ensure it's smooth and ready replacement handles for windows new caulk. After the sash has been installed it is possible to apply a silicone caulk over the glass. This will ensure that it won't leak over time or discolor.

Remove the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash, where the glass is. If they're difficult to work out, you can try holding a hand tool like a heat gun to soften them first. If you're using a heat gun, be careful not to damage the railings or sash by using the tool too closely.

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

If the new pane is cracked, you can use the silicone caulk or glass glue that is based on solvents to seal the crack before pressing it into the sash. If not, you'll have to putty over the crack to form a tight seal and keep water out. After the putty has dried remove the oily film from the glass and allow it to dry completely before painting. Paint before the putty has dried completely. It will not form a good seal and may be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a broken pane of glass. It's true that replacing a single pane of glass doesn't have to be costly when you do it on your own. In fact windows with double panes can be replaced at less than the cost of an expert.

If you're working with large glass windows, first make sure it is securely fixed to the frame. This task can be made relatively simple and fast using the appropriate tools and techniques.

When you are ready to start, remove the old window pane. Take out the metal glazing points that are attached to it. These are basically small metal triangles that function as "nails" that hold the window in in the wood frame. They are buried beneath a bead or glazing putty that hardens to an unbreakable wedge that holds the wood frame in place and conceals the edges.

After you have the old pane removed clean the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape off any old paint and sand the rabbet grooves that the glazing points were. These should be sanded down to bare wood, so that you can paint them the same color as the rest of the frame. After sanding, apply a coat of flax oil to the wood that is not sanded down to extend the life of the frame.

Then, take measurements of the dimensions of the window opening. You will need to measure 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 seasons of change. You can bring these measurements to a hardware or home improvement store 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.