How to replace window handle 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 such as improved comfort, increased resale values and reduced utility costs.

This is a project you could do yourself for less than the cost of hiring an expert. It requires the right tools and only an hour or two of your time.

Glass

If your single pane windows are old, deteriorating or broken replacing them with modern insulated or tempered glass can increase energy efficiency and decrease noise while preserving the original character of older homes. The procedure of replacing the window pane is easy and can be accomplished by homeowners with basic hand tools. You'll also require a replacement double glazing windows window pane, glazier's tips pliers, and latex glaze putty. If necessary you can use a heating gun to warm the old putty. Before starting, wear gloves and safety glasses as working with broken glass may cause injuries.

Take away any broken glass pieces that remain. It is best to use pliers, but a flathead can be used as well. Then, use a wooden chisel, or putty knife, to remove the rest of the old putty from the frame and the sash. Take your time and work slowly, taking care not to break the current window sash. It is best to work on a sturdy ladder instead of the ground, and to have someone standing below the sash to help keep it steady.

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

After installing the glass, apply a small amount of caulking to the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Install a glazier’s point on both sides of the frame. This will secure the pane. The points should not be so tight that they cause friction between the frame and sash but they shouldn't be too loose.

Before putting the putty on, knead it thoroughly until it is smooth and free of lumps. Cut it into pencil-sized pieces. The first strip should be placed to the corner of the frame, working from one corner to another to ensure it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are the tiny triangular pieces of steel which help to secure glass into a window frame without scratching or damaging the fragile surface. It's easy to learn how to use this secret tool and you can save money on the cost of an installation by a professional.

After removing the old putty, glazier points and any leftovers Clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife. Lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves, if necessary, to smooth out rough areas. If you sand wood, cover it with painter's tape to protect it from damage caused by accidental sanding.

Write down the exact dimensions of the frame. Bring these measurements to a hardware store or home center, and have the new pane made slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a snug fit, and allow for expansion and contraction.

Place the new window in the frame and press it in place using your hand. Utilize the chisel's point, or the edge of the putty blade to smudge the glazier's points, as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's points should be flush against the top edge of the pane and the raised shoulders should be just beneath that lip.

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

Once the glazing compound has dried and the glazing compound is dry, you can install the new window sash. First, coat the wood with a heavy coat of Linseed oil. This will keep the new putty from soaking in the moisture and deteriorating and cracking over time. Apply the coat using a brush or the edge of your putty knife, then use the chisel, or the back end of the knife to gently hammer the new sash and glazier's tips into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown or a rock thrown by error, or a fallen tree can result in a cracked or cracked window pane. Luckily, nearest most windows can be repaired by simply putting a brand new piece in the proper 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 get rid of the old one and clean up the area with a rag and a pull-type paint scraper or a wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses when you work. If the window is glued to the frame, you'll have to make use of a heat gun to soften the adhesive prior to prying it free.

If you are planning to replace the original sash, gently remove the molding pieces that hold the old pane in place. Then, sand the sash to ensure it's level and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is re-installed and sanded, apply a fresh silicone caulk to the glass to ensure that it doesn't swell or fade in time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets, or the grooves in the sash, where the glass sits. If they're difficult to cut out, try placing the hand tool, such as a heat gun to soften them before you do. If you're using a heat gun, be careful not to cause damage to the railings of the sash or the sash itself by placing the tool too close.

After the old points of glazing 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 on both sides If you have to do so, gently tap the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack, you can cover it with a solvent-based glass glue or silicone caulk before pressing it into the sash. Otherwise, you'll need to apply putty over the crack to form an impervious seal to keep water out. After the putty is dry and the film is oily, wipe it off the glass using a rag and allow it to dry completely before painting. Paint before the putty is completely dry. It won't create a solid seal and may leak or discolor with time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a broken pane of glass. The truth is, replacing a single piece of glass doesn't have to be costly if you do it on your own. In fact, even a double-pane window can be replaced at only a fraction of the cost of an expert.

If you are working with large glass windows first ensure it is securely fixed to the frame. This task can be made relatively simple and quick with the appropriate tools and techniques.

When you are ready to begin taking down the old window pane. Remove the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. These are tiny metal triangles that act as "nails" to hold the window in the frame. They are submerged beneath a bead or glazing putty which hardens into solid wedge that holds the frame firmly in position and hides the sharp edges.

After removal of the old pane clean the frame and wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used and sand the rabbet grooves that the glazing points were placed. Sand them down to bare wood surfaces, so that you can paint the frames the same color. After sanding, apply a layer of flax oil on the bare wood to help extend its lifespan.

Then, you need to measure the size of the window's opening. You will need to measure the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the entire opening as well as the thickness. To determine the exact size of the new pane, subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. Take these dimensions to the hardware or home improvement store, and they will have cut the glass 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.