How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window is a nuisance. It could be a chance to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones, and reap advantages like improved comfort, increased resale value and reduced utility bills.

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

replacement glass for windows

Replace your old single-paned windows with tempered or insulation glass to improve energy efficiency, reduce noise, and protect the historic integrity of your home's older. The procedure of replacing a window pane is relatively simple and can be done by most homeowners who possess basic hand tools. Alongside a replacement double glazed windows pane, the following tools are required: latex glazing putty; glazier's points; pliers; and an electric heater to warm the old putty, if needed. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to starting. Working with broken glass can cause serious injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. It is recommended to use pliers for this however a flathead could be useful equally. Then, use a wood chisel or putty knife to take the remainder of the old putty around the frame and the sash. Be careful to not break the window sash. Work slowly and carefully. It is recommended to work on a sturdy ladder rather than on the ground and to place someone on the sash to help keep it in place.

Prepare the window frame to accommodate the new pane after you have removed the old putty. Take measurements of the width and height of the opening for the sash and subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). Bring these measurements to the nearest hardware store or home center, and get a piece of stock glass cut to size. You can cut the glass yourself if you have the appropriate tools.

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

Before applying the putty to the surface, knead thoroughly until it is smooth and free of lumps. Then make it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip to the corner of the frame. Work from corner to corner to ensure it's even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's facets are tiny triangular pieces of steel that help secure glass into frames for windows without scratching or damaging the fragile surface. It's simple to learn how to use this hidden tool, and you'll save money on the cost of an expert installation.

After removing the old putty, glazier points as well as any remaining remnants, clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife. If necessary it is necessary to lightly sand the wood along rabbet grooves to smooth rough spots. If you do sand the wood, ensure you protect it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

Take the dimensions of the frame and write down accurate measurements. These measurements can be taken to a home center or hardware store, and the new pane will be cut a bit smaller. This will ensure a secure fit and leave room for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane in the frame and push it into the frame with your hand. Then, use the tip of your chisel or back of the putty knife to make a tap on the glazier's facets, as illustrated in Figure 11. When you're done taping, they should be flush with the top edge of the pane and the raised shoulders of the points should be below the rabbet's lip. groove.

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

After the glazing compound dries it's time to put in the new window sash. First, coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will prevent the newly-created putty from drying out and cracking when it absorbs moisture. Apply the coat using a brush or nearest the tip of your putty knife, then use the chisel, or the back end of the knife to gently hammer in the new sash and glazier's tips into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches along the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown, a rock thrown in error or a branch falling could result in a broken or cracked window. The majority of windows can be repaired easily by putting in a new piece. The glass is held in place by small clips made of metal called a glazier's point, and putty, also called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area with an abrasive, pull-type scraper, or a wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves while doing this work. You'll require a heat gun when the window is fixed into the frame.

If you are planning to replace your original sash, remove the molding that supports the old pane. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready to receive new caulk. Once the sash is re-installed and sanded, apply a fresh silicone caulk around the glass to ensure that it will not leak or change color over time.

Take out the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves in the sash, where the glass is located. If they're difficult to work out, try holding the hand tool, such as a heat gun to soften them up first. If you're using a heating gun, be cautious not to damage the railings or sash by placing the tool too tightly.

Once the old glaze points and putty have been removed, prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, and form it into a 1/2-inch thick. Press it into the rabbets, where the glass will be put. It is crucial that the glass rests against the putty in all places on both sides, so if you need to tap it, gently press the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack you can fill it with a solvent-based glass glue or silicone caulk prior pressing it into the sash. If the crack is not sealed, nearest you'll need to use putty to keep the water out. After the putty has dried, wipe the oily film off the glass and let it dry completely before painting. If you paint before the putty is completely dry, it will not form a solid seal and could leak or discolor over time.

Paint

If you've had a broken window pane, you might be worried about the cost of replacing it. In reality, 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 a fraction of the cost of an expert.

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

When you're ready to start, begin by removing the old window by prying out the metal glazing points that are connected to it. These are essentially small metal triangles which function as "nails" that keep the window in place in the wood frame. They are submerged beneath a bead or glazing putty which hardens into a solid wedge that holds the wood frame securely in place and conceals the edges.

After removal of the old pane clean the frame and the wood. Scrape off any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves, where the glazing points used to be. 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 sanding the wood then apply a layer of flax oil. This will help extend its life.

The next step is to determine the width of the window's opening. You will need to measure the horizontal and vertical 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 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.