How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane could cause a lot of trouble. This can be an opportunity to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones to enjoy benefits like increased comfort, increased resale values and lower utility costs.

It's a project you can tackle yourself at a fraction of the cost of hiring an expert. You'll need only the appropriate tools and a few hours of your time.

Glass

Replace Window pane your single-paned windows with tempered insulated glass to increase the efficiency of your energy, reduce noise, and maintain the original character of your old home. The process of replacing windows is easy and can be accomplished by anyone with basic hand tools. You'll also require an additional window pane, glazier's tips pliers, and latex glazing putty. If needed you may use a heatgun to warm the old putty. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to beginning. Working with broken glass can cause serious injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. This can be done with a pair of pliers, however, a flathead screwdriver can also work in the pinch. Use a wood chisel, or putty knives to remove any old putty that remains around the frame and the window sash. Take your time and work slowly, taking care not to break the current window sash. It is best to do this using a sturdy ladder rather than on the ground and to place someone on the sash in order to help hold it steady.

Prepare the replacement window handle frame to accept the new pane after you have removed the old glue. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction, subtract 1/8 inch each from the measurements of width and height. Bring these measurements to an hardware store or home center, and find a piece glass cut to size. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself, if you have the appropriate tools.

After putting the new pane in place after installing the new pane, put a tiny amount of caulking around the edge to make it weatherproof. Then, you can install a glazier's pointing on the frame's opposite side to secure the pane in the right place. The points shouldn't be so tight that they create friction between the frame and sash however they should not be too loose.

Before putting the putty on, knead it thoroughly until it is 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 facets are small triangular pieces which help to secure glass into the frame of a window without damaging or scratching the delicate surface. Learning how to use these tiny helpers is simple and could save you money on a professional installation or the cost of new glass.

After taking off the old putty, glazier points, and any other remnants clean the frame thoroughly using an utility knife. Lightly sand the wood into the rabbet grooves to smooth rough areas. If you sand wood cover it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

Note down the dimensions of the frame. These measurements can be taken to the hardware or home center store, and the new frame will be cut slightly smaller. This will ensure that the pane fits snugly and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and press it into place firmly by using your hands. Utilize the point of the chisel, or the edge of the putty blade to tap in the glaziers' points as shown in Figure 11. The glazier's points should be aligned with the top edge of the pane and the shoulders raised should be just below the lip.

Apply a thin layer of glazing compound to the rabbet grooves and edges of the glass. This will seal and protect the edges. Let it dry and cure completely.

Once the glazing compound has dried it's time to put in the new window sash. First, coat the wood with a thick coat of linseed oil. This will prevent the new putty from sucking up moisture and drying out and cracking with time. Use a brush to apply this coat, or even the tip of the putty blade. Then, use the chisel that is on the back of the putty tool or the back of the handle to gently smash the new sash or glazier's tip into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches along the frame's perimeter.

Putty

A baseball that is thrown or an unintentional rock, or a falling branch can cause a window pane to break or crack. Fortunately, windows can be repaired by simply putting a new piece of glass in its place. The glass is held in position by a small 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 working. You'll need a heat gun in the event that the window is glued into the frame.

If you are planning to reinstall your original sash, you must remove the molding that holds the old pane. Then you can sand the sash down to ensure it's level and ready to be re-caulked. After the sash has been re-installed, apply a new caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure that it won't leak or discolor over time.

Remove the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves in the sash where the glass is located. If they're difficult to cut out, you can try holding an instrument like a heat gun over them to soften them first. When using a heating tool, be sure to not damage the sash or its railings.

After the old points of glazing and putty are removed, make a bed for the new pane. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, and form it to be around 1/2-inch thick. Then, you can press it into the rabbets in which the glass will be. It is essential that the glass rests against the putty on both sides, so if you need to do so, gently tap the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack you can fill it with a solvent-based glass glue or silicone caulk prior to pressing it into the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you'll need to use putty to keep water out. After the putty is dry then clean the oily film off the glass using the help of a rag. Allow it to dry completely prior to painting. Paint before the putty has dried completely. It won't form a good seal and may be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a damaged piece of glass. But the truth is that replacing one glass pane does not require a huge amount of money If you can do it yourself. In fact, even a double-pane window can be replaced at a fraction of the cost of an expert.

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

If you're ready to begin, begin by removing the old window by prying out the metal glazing points that are connected to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles which function as "nails" which hold the window in within the frame of wood. They are placed under a bead of glazing putty, which transforms into a solid formed wedge that holds the window firmly in place and conceals the window's points.

After you have the old pane removed Clean up the frame and wood. Scrape away any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were. 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 to the wood's surface to prolong its life.

Next, measure the size of the window's opening. It is necessary to take horizontal and replace window pane vertical measurements of the entire opening, and also the thickness of the old pane. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure you have the exact size for the new pane. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. 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.