How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane can be an inconvenience. This could be an opportunity to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones, and reap benefits such as improved comfort, increased resale value and reduced utility bills.

You can do it yourself for only a fraction of the cost it would cost to hire an expert. You only need the appropriate tools and a few minutes of your time.

Glass

Replace window Pane your old single-paned windows with tempered or insulated glass to increase energy efficiency, cut down on noise, and preserve the original character of your older home. Most homeowners with basic hand tools can repair windows with ease. In addition to a replacement pane, the following items are needed: latex glazing putty; pliers, glazier's points and an electric heater to warm the old putty if required. Before starting, wear gloves and safety goggles as working with broken glass could cause injuries.

Take away any broken glass pieces that remain. This is best accomplished with pliers, though using flathead screwdrivers can be effective in the pinch. Then, use a wood chisel or putty knife remove the remaining old putty from the frame and the sash. Work slowly and carefully and be careful not to break the existing window handles replacement sash. It is a good idea to do this on a stable ladder rather than on the ground, and to place someone on the sash in order to help hold it steady.

Make sure the window frame is ready to accommodate the new pane after you have removed the old putty. Take measurements of the width and height of the sash opening, subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). These measurements can be sent to an hardware or home centers store to have an item cut from glass stock to the proper size. Alternatively, you can cut the glass yourself if you have the appropriate tools.

After installing the glass Apply caulking around the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then, you can install a glazier's pointing on each side of the frame to secure the pane in place. The points shouldn't be so tight that they create friction between the frame and the sash however they should not be loose.

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

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are the small triangular pieces that help secure glass into a window frame without damaging or scratching the delicate surface. Knowing how to use these hidden tiny helpers is simple and could save you money on professional installation or the cost of new glass.

After getting rid of the old putty glazier points, and any other leftovers clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife. Lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves if needed to smooth out rough areas. If you decide to sand wood, cover it with painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Write down the dimensions of the frame. These measurements can be taken to an hardware or home centers store and the new pane will be cut a bit smaller. This will ensure a tight fit and will allow room for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and push it in with your hands. Then, use the tip of your chisel or back end of the putty knife to make a tap on the glazier's points as shown in Figure 11. The glazier's points should sit flush against the top edge of your pane, and the raised shoulders should be just beneath that lip.

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

Install the new window sash once the glazing compound has dried. The first step is to coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will keep the new putty from taking in the moisture and deteriorating and cracking with time. Use a brush to apply this coat, or the point of the putty blade. Then use the chisel that is on the back of the tool or the back of the handle to gently hit the new sash, or glazier's tip into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches around the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown at you or a rock that is errant or a fallen branch can cause a window to break or crack. The majority of windows can be repaired easily by installing a new piece. The glass is held in place by a small metal clip, also known as a glazier's point and putty. This compound is also called glazing compound. Before installing a replacement glass for windows pane, first remove the old one and clean the area using a rag and a pull-type paint scraper or the wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves when working. If the window is glued to the frame, you'll need make use of a heat gun to soften the adhesive before prying it free.

If you're planning to reinstall the original sash, take off the molding that holds the old pane. Sand the sash until it is flat and ready to receive new caulk. Once the sash is installed, apply a new silicone caulk to the glass to ensure that it won't leak or discolor as time passes.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets, or the grooves in the sash that the glass sits. If they're difficult to cut out, try holding the hand tool, such as a heat gun over them to soften them before you do. When using a heated tool, make sure to not scratch the sash's railings and sash.

Prepare a bed for your new pane after removing the old glaze and putty. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your fingers, and then make it about 1/2 inch thick. Then, push it into the rabbets in which the glass will sit. The glass should rest against the putty on both sides. If necessary, lightly tap your glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack you can fill it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk prior to pressing it into the sash. In other cases, you'll need to putty over the crack to create an impervious seal to keep water out. Once the putty is dry, wipe the oily film off the glass and allow it to dry completely before you paint. Paint after the putty has dried completely. It won't form a good seal and may discolor or leak over time.

Paint

If you've suffered a break in a window pane, you might be concerned about the expense of replacing it. In reality, replacing a single pane glass doesn't have to be costly even if you do it your own. Even double-paned windows can be replaced for a fraction of what it would cost for a professional.

First, if you are working on a large-sized window, make sure that it is securely attached to the frame. This job is relatively easy and quick with the proper tools and techniques.

When you are ready to begin with the removal of the window pane. Pry out the metal glazing points attached to it. These are essentially small metal triangles which function as "nails" that keep the window in place within the frame of wood. They are submerged under a bead of glazing putty that transforms into a solid moulded wedge which holds the window 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 in which the glazing points were. They should be sanded to the point of being bare, to allow you to paint them the same shade as the rest of the frame. After the sanding process, apply a coat of flax oil on the wood that is not sanded down to prolong its life.

The next step is to measure the dimensions of the window opening. You will need to take vertical and horizontal measurements of the entire opening, replace Window Pane as well as the thickness of the old pane. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure that you get the exact measurement for the new pane. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass during seasonal changes. You can bring 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.