How to replace Window pane Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window is an inconvenience. It could also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows to reap benefits like more comfort, higher resale value and reduced utility costs.

This is a project you could do yourself for only a fraction of 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 old damaged, cracked or deteriorating replacing them with modern glass that is tempered or insulated can improve energy efficiency and reduce noise while preserving the historical integrity of older homes. The replacement of the window pane is easy and can be accomplished by anyone with basic hand tools. In addition to a replacement pane, the following components are needed such as latex glazing putty; pliers, glazier's points and the use of a heat gun to warm the old putty, if necessary. Before starting, put on gloves and safety glasses 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 could be useful equally. After that, use a wood chisel or putty knife to take the remainder of the old putty from around the frame and the sash. Work slowly and carefully making sure not to break the current window sash. This should be done on a ladder, not the ground. Also, you should have someone lower to ensure it is held steady.

Once you have removed all the old putty, prepare the window frame for the new pane. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction and contraction, subtract 1/8 inch from the measurements of the width and height. Bring these measurements to a hardware store or home center and get a piece of stock glass cut to size. You can also cut the glass yourself if you have the tools you need.

After installing the glass Apply some caulking on the edges. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then install a glazier's point on each side of the frame to secure the pane into its place. The points should not be too tight that they cause friction between the frame and the sash, but they should also not be loose.

Before applying the putty work it in a gentle manner until it's soft and free of lumps. Cut it into pencil-sized pieces. Apply the first strip to the corner of the frame. Work from one corner to the next and ensure that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are tiny triangular pieces of steel that allow glass to be secured into the frame of a window without scratching or damaging the delicate surface. Knowing how to use these hidden tiny helpers is simple 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 traces. If needed it is necessary to lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves to smooth rough spots. If you sand wood, protect it with painter's tape to protect it from damage caused by accidental sanding.

Write down the dimensions of the frame. These measurements can be taken to the hardware or home center store and the new pane will be cut to a smaller size. This will ensure that the pane fits comfortably and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane in the frame and push firmly using your hands. Make use of the chisel's point or the edge of the putty blade to tap the glazier's points as shown in Figure 11. The glazier's points should be aligned with the top edge of your pane, and the shoulders raised should be just beneath that lip.

Apply a thin layer of glazing compound over the edges of the glass that has been made and into the rabbet grooves to seal and protect them. Allow it to dry completely and cure.

Install the new window sash after the glazing compound has dried. First, coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will stop the new putty from taking 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 of the putty knife to gently hammer in the new sash and glazier's tips into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process every 10 inches around the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A hurled baseball, an errant rock or a falling branch can cause a window to crack or break. Fortunately, windows can be easily replaced by simply placing a new piece of glass in its place. The glass is held into the position with a tiny metal clip, also known as a glazier’s point and putty. This compound is also known as glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area using an abrasive, pull-type scraper or wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves while doing this work. If the window is attached to the frame, replace Window Pane you'll have to use a heat gun to soften the adhesive before taking it off.

If you're planning to install the original sash, Replace window Pane remove any molding pieces that are used to secure the old pane. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready to receive new caulk. After the sash has been re-installed, apply a new caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure it will not leak or change color over time.

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets, the grooves in the sash where the glass is. If they're difficult to work out, you can try holding the hand tool, such as a heat gun over them to soften them first. If you're using a heating gun, be careful not to damage the railings or sash by holding the tool too close.

Prepare a bed for your new pane by removing the old glaze points and putty. Roll a rope made of glazing compound between your fingers and make it around 1/2 inch thick. Place it into the rabbets where the glass will be placed. It is crucial that the glass sits on the putty on each side, so if you need to do so, gently tap the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack then you can seal it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk before pressing it into the sash. If the crack isn't sealed, you'll require putty to keep the water out. After the putty has dried then clean the oily film off the glass with the help of a rag. Allow it to completely dry before painting. If you paint before the putty is completely dry, it won't form an effective seal and could leak or discolor over time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a broken piece of glass. The truth is, replacing a single piece of glass doesn't have to be costly when you do it on your own. Even double glazed replacement windows-paned windows can be replaced for a fraction of what it costs for a professional.

If you are working with a large glass window first, ensure that it is securely fixed to the frame. This job can be done relatively easy and fast with the right tools and techniques.

When you are ready to start with the removal of the window pane. Take out the metal glazing points attached to it. These are tiny metal triangles that act as "nails" to hold the window within the frame. They are submerged beneath a glaze putty or bead that hardens to solid wedge that holds the frame securely in place and hides the points.

After removal of the old pane clean the frame and the wood. Scrape off any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves, where the glazing points used to be. These should be sanded down to bare wood, to allow you to paint them the same color as the rest the frame. After sanding the wood you can apply a layer flax oil. This will help to extend its life.

Then, you need to measure the size of the window opening. You will need to measure the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the entire opening, as well as the thickness. 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. You can take 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.