How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane could be a source of frustration. It could be a chance to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones and enjoy benefits such as improved comfort, increased resale values and reduced utility costs.

It's a task you can take on yourself for less than the cost of hiring a professional. You'll need only the proper tools and a few hours of your time.

Glass

Replace Window Pane your old single-paned windows with tempered insulate glass to improve energy efficiency, cut down on noise, and maintain the original character of your old home. The majority of homeowners with basic hand tools can replace windows with ease. You will also need an additional window pane, Replace window pane glazier's tips pliers, and latex glaze putty. If you need to you may make use of a heat gun to warm the old putty. Wear safety goggles and gloves before you begin. Working with broken glass can cause serious injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. This can be done with the help of pliers however, a flathead screwdriver can also be used in a pinch. Make use of a wood chisel or putty knife to get rid of any old putty that remains around the frame and the window sash. Be careful not to break the window sash. Work slowly and carefully. This should be done on a ladder, not the ground. Also, have someone lower to ensure it is held steady.

Prepare the window frame to accommodate the new pane once you have removed the old putty. To allow for replace window pane seasonal expansion or contraction by subtracting 1/8 inch from the measurements of the width and height. These measurements can be sent to an hardware or home centers store to get a piece cut of stock glass to the right size. You can also cut the glass yourself, if you have the tools you need.

After installing the glass After installing the glass, apply a small amount of caulking on the edges. This will make the glass weatherproof. Install a glazier’s point on both sides of the frame. This will ensure the pane. The points shouldn't be tight enough to create friction between the frame and the sash however they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty knead it thoroughly until it's soft and free of lumps. Then, roll it into pencil-size strips. The first strip should be placed in the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to the next to ensure it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are tiny triangular pieces of steel that help secure the glass to the frame without causing any damage to the fragile surface. Understanding how to use these hidden little helpers is easy and could save you money on professional installation or the cost of new glass.

Once the old putty and glazier's points are removed Clean the frame thoroughly with a utility knife to remove any remaining traces. If necessary, lightly sand the wood along grooves of the rabbets to smooth rough areas. If you sand wood protect it with painter’s tape to prevent accidental damage.

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

Place the new window in the frame and push it into place firmly by using your hands. Make use of the chisel's point or the back of the putty knife to tap in the glaziers' points as shown in Figure 11. After you're done, the points should be in line with the top edge of the pane. the shoulders of the points should be below the rabbet's rim groove.

Apply a small amount of glazing compound over the edges of the new glass and into the rabbet grooves to seal and protect them. Allow this to dry and cure fully.

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 prevent the new putty from soaking up the moisture and deteriorating and cracking over time. Use a brush to apply this coat, or the point of the 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 process in intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown, a rock thrown in error or a branch falling could result in a broken or cracked window. Fortunately, the majority of windows can be repaired by simply putting a new piece in place. The glass is held into position by a small metal clip, referred to as a glazier’s point and putty. This compound is also referred to as glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area using an abrasive, pull-type scraper or wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves when you work. You'll need a heat gun if the window is glued into the frame.

If you are planning to reinstall the original sash, take off the mold that holds the old pane. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is reinstalled it is possible to apply a silicone caulk over the glass. This will ensure that it doesn't be leaking or fade over time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets, or the grooves in the sash where the glass sits. If they're hard to chisel, hold the hand tool, such as a heating gun over them to soften first. When using a heating tool, make sure to not scratch the sash's railings and sash.

Create a bed for your new pane after removing the old putty and glazing points. Roll a rope made of glazing compound between your fingers and then make it about 1/2 inch thick. Press it into the rabbets where the glass will be put. It's important that the glass sits on the putty on each side If you have to tap it, gently press the glass into the rabbet using 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 water from getting in. Once the putty is dry, wipe the oily film from the glass and let it dry completely before painting. If you paint before the putty is completely dry, it won't create an effective seal and could leak or discolor in time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a broken piece of glass. The truth is, replacing a single piece of glass doesn't have to be costly if you do it on your own. Even a double glazing window replacement-paned window could be replaced for a fraction of what it will cost an expert.

First, if you're working on a large window, ensure that it is securely fixed to the frame. Using the proper tools and techniques, you can complete this task easily and speedy.

When you are ready to begin with the removal of the window pane. Take out the metal glazing points attached to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles that act as "nails" which hold the window in in the wood frame. They are submerged beneath a bead or glazing putty that sets to form a solid wedge that holds the frame securely in place and hides the points.

After taking off the old pane clean the frame and the wood. Scrape away any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points used to be. These should be sanded down to the point of being bare, so that you can paint them the same color as the rest the frame. After sanding, apply a coat of flax oil to the wood that is not sanded down to extend the life of the frame.

The next step is to determine the width of the window opening. You will need to measure the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the entire opening as well as the thickness. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure that you have the exact size for the new pane. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass during seasonal changes. Take these dimensions to your local hardware or home improvement store and have a piece 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.