How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window is a nuisance. This could be an opportunity to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones to enjoy benefits like increased comfort, increased resale values and reduced utility bills.

You can do it yourself for a fraction of what it would cost to employ an expert. You'll need only the right tools and a few minutes of your time.

Glass

Replace your old single-paned windows with tempered insulation glass to improve the efficiency of your energy, reduce noise, and maintain the historic integrity of your home's older. The process of replacing windows is easy and can be completed by most homeowners who possess basic hand tools. You will also need a replacement window pane, glazier's tips pliers, and latex glazing putty. If necessary you can use a heatgun to warm the old putty. Wear safety glasses and gloves prior to starting. Working with broken glass could result in serious injuries.

Take out any broken glass pieces that remain. It is recommended to use pliers, but a flathead can work as well. Make use of a wood chisel or putty knives to remove any remaining old putty around the frame and window sash. Be careful not to break the window sash. Work slowly and carefully. This can be done best on a ladder, not on the ground. Also, ensure that someone below the sash keep it in place.

After you have removed all of the old putty, prepare the window frame to fit the new pane. Measure the width and 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 home center or hardware store to get a piece cut of stock glass to the right size. Alternatively, you can cut the glass yourself if you have the tools you need.

After installing the glass, apply a small amount of caulking on the edges. 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 so tight as to cause friction between the sash and the frame but they shouldn't be loose.

Before applying the putty knead it thoroughly until it's soft and free of lumps. Roll it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip in the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to another so that it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular pieces of metal which help to secure glass into frames for windows without scratching or damaging the delicate surface. It's easy to learn how to use this nefarious tool, and you'll be able to save money on the expense of a professional installation.

Once the old putty and the glazier's points have been removed, thoroughly clean the frame using a utility knife to remove any remaining residue. Lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves if needed to smooth rough areas. If you do sand your wood, be sure to protect it by using painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Measure the empty frame's dimensions and write down accurate measurements. Take these dimensions to an hardware store or home center, and have the new pane cut smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a snug fit and will allow room for expansion and contraction.

Insert the new pane into the frame and push it in with your hands. Then use the point of your chisel or the back of the putty knife to pierce the glazier's facets, as shown in Figure 11. When you're done taping, they should be flush with the top edge of the pane. the raised shoulders of the points should be just below the rabbet's rim groove.

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

Once the glazing compound has dried, 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 the coat using a brush or the edge of your putty knife, 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 in intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball hit or a rock thrown by error or a branch falling can cause a broken or replace window pane cracked window pane. Fortunately, windows can be easily replaced by simply placing a new piece in the right place. The glass is held in place with tiny metal clips known as a glazier's point, and putty, which is often called glazing compound. Before installing a replacement pane, first take out the old one and clean the area using an abrasive and a pull-type paint scraper or the wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses when working. If the window is glued to the frame, you'll need employ a heat gun in order to soften the adhesive before prying it free.

If you are planning to replace window Pane the original sash in the future, take care to remove any pieces of molding that hold the old pane in place. Then, sand the sash to ensure it's smooth and ready for replace window Pane new caulk. After the sash has been installed, you can apply a silicone caulk on the glass. This will ensure that it doesn't leak over time or discolor.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets and the grooves in the sash where the glass sits. If they're hard to chisel out, you can try holding a hand tool like a heat gun over them to soften them up first. If you're using a heat gun, make sure not to cause damage to the railings of the sash or the sash itself by placing the tool too closely.

Once the old glazing points and putty have been removed prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your fingers, and make it about 1/2 inch thick. Place it into the rabbets, where the glass will be put. It is crucial that the glass sits on the putty in all places on both sides, so if you need to, lightly tap the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can use a silicone caulk or a glass glue based on solvents to seal the crack before pressing it into the sash. If the crack isn't sealed, you'll need to use putty to keep water out. When the putty dries then clean the oily film off the glass with an abrasive and allow it to dry completely before painting. Paint after the putty has completely dried. It won't make a strong seal and may discolor or leak over time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a broken piece of glass. In reality, replacing a single piece of glass doesn't have to be expensive even if you do it your own. Even a double-paned window could be replaced for a fraction of the price it costs an expert.

If you are working on a large-sized window glass replacement, ensure that it is securely fixed to the frame. With the right tools and techniques to make this task relatively easy and speedy.

When you're ready to start with the removal of the old window by removing the glazing points made of metal that are connected to it. These are tiny triangles of metal that function as "nails" that hold the window within the frame. They are placed under a bead or glazing putty that sets to form a solid wedge that holds the wood frame firmly in position and hides the points.

After you have the old pane removed, clean up the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape off any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points used to be. Sand them down to bare wood surfaces, so that you can paint the frames the same shade. After sanding the wood then apply a layer of flax oil. This will help to prolong the life of the frame.

The next step is to measure the dimensions of the window's opening. You'll need to take horizontal and vertical measurements of the entire opening, and also the thickness of the old pane. To determine the exact dimensions of the new pane subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. You can take these measurements to a hardware store or home improvement shop 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.