How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane can be an inconvenience. It could also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows to enjoy benefits such as more comfort, higher the value of resales and lower utility costs.

It's a project you can take on yourself for only a fraction of the cost of hiring an expert. You only need the proper tools and a few minutes of your time.

Glass

replace window pane your single-paned windows with tempered insulation glass to improve energy efficiency, cut down on noise, and maintain the original character of your old home. The procedure of replacing windows is simple and can be done by homeowners with basic hand tools. Alongside a replacement pane, the following tools are needed such as latex glazing putty; Glazier's points; pliers and an electric heater to warm the old putty, if necessary. Wear safety glasses and gloves prior to starting. Working with broken glass could cause serious injuries.

Take away any broken glass pieces that remain. It is best to use pliers, but a flathead can be useful equally. Then, use a wooden chisel, or putty knife, to take the remainder of the old putty from around the frame and sash. Be careful not to scratch the window sash. Be careful and slow. It is recommended to do this using a sturdy ladder rather than the ground and to place someone on the sash to help hold it steady.

Once you have removed all of the old putty, prepare the window frame to fit the new pane. Measure the width and height of the sash opening, subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). Bring these measurements to a hardware store or home center, and have a piece of stock glass cut to size. You can also cut the glass yourself if have the appropriate tools.

After putting in the new pane After installing the new pane, apply a small amount of caulking around the edge to make it weatherproof. Then, place a glazier's tip on each side of the frame to secure the pane in its place. The points shouldn't be so tight as to cause friction between the frame and sash however they shouldn't be loose.

Before putting the putty on, make sure to knead it until it is soft and free of lumps. Make it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip in the corner of the frame, working from one corner to the next to ensure it is even and replace Window Pane smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier’s points are small triangular pieces of metal that help secure the glass into the window frame without damaging the delicate surface. Knowing how to use these hidden little helpers is easy and can save you money on a professional installation or the cost of purchasing new glass.

After the old putty and glazier's points are removed and replace window pane the frame is thoroughly cleaned with a knife to remove any remaining traces. If needed you can lightly sand the wood along the rabbet grooves to smooth out rough spots. If you decide to 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. These measurements can be brought to an hardware or home centers store, and the new frame will be cut slightly smaller. This will ensure a tight fit, and allow for expansion and contraction.

Insert the new pane into the frame and press it down with your hands. Then use the point of your chisel or back end of the putty knife to make a tap on the glazier's points as shown 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 of glazing compound on the edges of the new glass and in the rabbet grooves to seal and protect them. Let it dry and cure completely.

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 moisture and deteriorating and cracking over time. Apply this coat with a brush or the tip of your putty knife, then employ the chisel or back end from the putty knife to gently hammer in the new sash and glazier's points into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process every 10 inches around the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown or a rock thrown in error or a branch falling can cause a broken or cracked window pane. The majority of windows can be replaced by putting in a new piece. The glass is held into place by a small metal clip, called a glazier’s point and putty. This compound is also known as glazing compound. Before you install a new pane, first get rid of the old one and clean the area with a rag and a pull-type paint scraper or a wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while working. You'll need a heating gun in the event that the window is glued to the frame.

If you're planning to replace the original sash, take off the mold that holds the old pane. Then, sand the sash to ensure it's level and ready for a new caulk. After the sash has been installed it is possible to apply a silicone caulk on the glass. This will ensure that it doesn't leak over time or discolor.

Remove the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash where the glass is. If they're difficult to cut out, try placing a hand tool like a heat gun over them to soften them before you do. If you're using a heated gun, make sure not to scratch the railings or sash by placing the tool too close.

Create a bed for your new pane after you have removed the old glaze and putty. Roll a rope with glazing compound between your fingers, and make it around 1/2 inch thick. Press it into the rabbets, where the glass will be placed. The glass should rest against the putty on both sides. If you need to you want to tap your glass lightly into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked you can fill it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk prior pressing it into the sash. If the crack isn't sealed, you will need to use putty to keep the water out. After the putty has dried, wipe the oily film off of the glass and let it dry completely before you paint. Paint before the putty has completely dried. It will not make a strong seal and may leak or discolor with time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a damaged piece of glass. However, replacing a single glass pane doesn't need to cost a fortune if you do it yourself. Even a double glazing replacement windows-paned window could be replaced for a fraction of what it will cost a professional.

If you are working with a large glass window first, ensure that it is securely attached to the frame. By using the correct tools and techniques you can accomplish this task fairly easily and quick.

If you're ready to begin with the removal of the old window pane by removing the glazing points of metal that are connected to it. These are essentially small metal triangles that act as "nails" that hold the window in within the frame of wood. They are placed under a glaze putty or bead that sets to form a solid wedge that holds the frame securely in place and hides the points.

After you have removed the old pane removed clean the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape away any old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves, where the glazing points were. Sand them down to clean wooden surfaces so you can paint the frames the same color. After the sanding process, apply a coat of flax oil to the wood's surface to extend the life of the frame.

The next step is to determine the size of the window opening. You will need to measure the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the entire opening, as well as the thickness. To get the exact size of the new pane subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass in times of seasonal change. 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.