How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window can be a nuisance. This could be an opportunity to upgrade to energy-efficient windows glasses replacement or insulated ones and enjoy benefits like increased comfort, higher resale value and lower utility costs.

You can do it yourself at less than what it would cost to hire an expert. It requires the right equipment and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

If your single-pane windows are old, deteriorating or broken, replacing them with newer insulated or tempered glass can increase energy efficiency and reduce noise while preserving the historical integrity of older homes. The majority of homeowners with basic hand tools can replace the window pane. Alongside a Replacement Windows Glass pane, the following components are needed such as latex glazing putty; pliers, glazier's points and the use of a heat gun to warm the old putty, if necessary. Wear safety glasses and gloves prior to beginning. Working with broken replacement glass in windows could result in serious injuries.

Remove any broken glass pieces that remain. This is best done using a pair of pliers, though using a flathead screwdriver may be used in a pinch. Then, use a wood chisel or putty knife to take the remainder of the old putty from the frame and sash. Work slowly and carefully and be careful not to break the existing window sash. It is recommended to do this on a stable ladder rather than on the ground and to have someone standing below the sash in order to help hold it in place.

After you have removed all of the old putty, it is time to 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). These measurements can be taken to an hardware or home centers store to have a piece cut of glass stock to the proper size. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself, if you have the tools you need.

After putting in the new glass, apply some caulking around the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Install a glazier's pointing on both sides of the frame. This will secure the pane. The points should not be so tight that they cause friction between the sash and frame, but they also should not be too loose.

Before putting the putty on, work it in a gentle manner until it is smooth and free of lumps. Cut it into pencil-sized pieces. Apply the first strip to the frame's corner. Work from one corner to the next to ensure it's even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are the small triangular pieces that allow glass to be secured into the frame of a window without damaging or scratching the delicate surface. It's easy to understand how to use this nefarious tool, and you'll be able to save money on the cost of an expert installation.

After removing the old putty, glazier points as well as any remaining residue Clean the frame thoroughly with an utility knife. Lightly sand the wood into the rabbet grooves, if necessary, to smooth out rough areas. If you decide to sand the wood, ensure you protect it with painter's tack to avoid accidental damage.

Take measurements of the empty frame and note down precise measurements. Take these measurements to a hardware store or a home center and request that the new pane made slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure that the pane fits comfortably and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane in the frame and press it in place with your hand. Use the point of the chisel, 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 level with the top edge of the pane, and the shoulders of the points should be below the rabbet's rim groove.

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

Install the new window sash once the glazing compound has dried. The first step is to coat the wood with a heavy coat of Linseed oil. This will stop the new putty from drying out and cracking as it absorbs moisture. Apply this coat using a brush or the edge of your putty knife, and then use the chisel, or the back end of the knife to gently press the new sash and glazier's point into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown, a rock thrown in error, or a tree falling could result in a broken or cracked window. Fortunately, windows can be easily replaced by simply putting a brand new piece in place. The glass is held in position by a small metal clip, called the glazier's point, and putty. This compound is also known as glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area using a rag, a scraper that is a pull type or a wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves while you do this work. If the window is attached to the frame, you'll need to employ a heat gun in order to soften the adhesive before taking it off.

If you are planning to replace the original sash in the future, take care to remove any molding pieces that secure the old pane. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready to receive new caulk. Once the sash is put back in place, you can apply a silicone caulk on the glass. This will ensure that it doesn't get soiled or discolor over time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets and the grooves in the sash, where the glass is. If they're hard to chisel out, try holding an instrument like a heat gun to soften them up first. When using a heating tool, be sure to avoid damaging the sash and its railings.

Once the old glaze points and putty have been removed, prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your fingers, and make it around 1/2 inch thick. Press it into the rabbets where the glass will be placed. It is crucial that the glass sits on the putty in all places on both sides So if you have to, lightly tap the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can use a silicone caulk or a glass glue made from solvents to seal the crack before pressing it into the sash. If the crack isn't sealed, you will need to use putty to keep water from getting in. After the putty has dried then clean the oily film off the glass using an abrasive and allow it to dry completely prior to painting. Paint after the putty has completely dried. It won't create a solid seal and may discolor or leak over time.

Paint

If you've had a broken window pane, then you may be worried about the expense of a new one. In reality, replacing a single pane glass doesn't have to be costly even if you do it your own. In fact windows with double panes can be replaced at less than the cost of a professional.

First, if you're working on a large-sized window, make sure it is securely fixed to the frame. By using the correct tools and techniques to accomplish this task fairly easily and quick.

When you are ready to start with the removal of the window pane. Remove the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. These are essentially small metal triangles which function as "nails" that hold the window in place in the wood frame. They are placed under a bead or glazing glue that hardens to an unbreakable wedge that holds the frame in place and hides the points.

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

Then, take measurements of the dimensions of the window's opening. It is necessary 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 you get the exact measurement for the new pane. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. You can take these measurements to a hardware store 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.