How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane can be a nuisance. It could be a chance to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones to enjoy advantages like improved comfort, increased resale value and lower utility costs.

You can do it yourself for a less than what it would cost to hire an expert. You'll need only the appropriate tools and a few minutes of your time.

Glass

Replace your single-paned windows using tempered or insulation glass to improve energy efficiency, reduce noise, and preserve the historic integrity of your home's older. Most homeowners with basic hand tools can replace windows with ease. You'll also require an additional window pane, glazier's suggestions, pliers, and latex glazing putty. If needed you may use a heating gun to warm the old putty. Before starting, wear protective gloves and goggles since working with broken glass can cause injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. It is best to use pliers however, a flathead may work equally. Utilize a wood chisel or putty knives, to take away any remaining old putty around the frame and window sash. Take your time and work slowly, taking care not to break the existing window glass replacement near me sash. This is best done on an elevated ladder, not on the ground. Also, have someone below the sash hold it steady.

After you've removed all the old putty, it is time to prepare the window frame for the new pane. Measure the width and height of the opening in the sash, subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). These measurements can be sent to an hardware or home centers store to have an item cut from glass stock to the proper size. Alternatively, you can cut the glass yourself, if you have the tools you need.

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

Before applying the putty on the surface, gently knead it until it becomes soft and free from lumps. Roll it into pencil-sized strips. Place the first strip to the corner of the frame, working from one corner to the other to ensure it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier’s points are small triangular metal pieces which help to secure the glass to the frame without damaging the delicate surface. It's easy to learn how to use this secret tool, and you'll save money on the cost of a professional installation.

After taking off the old putty, glazier points, and any other remnants Clean the frame thoroughly using an utility knife. If necessary you can lightly sand the wood along the grooves of the rabbet to smooth rough spots. If you decide to sand the wood, make sure to protect it by using painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

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

Place the new pane in the frame and push it in with your hands. Then, you can use the point of your chisel or the back end of the putty knife to pierce the glazier's points, as shown in Figure 11. After you're done, the points should be level with the top edge of the pane. the raised shoulders of the points should be below the lip of the rabbet groove.

Apply a thin layer of glazing compound on the edges of the new glass and into the rabbet grooves to seal and protect them. Allow it to dry and cure fully.

Install the new window sash after the glazing compound has dried. First, coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will prevent the new putty from sucking up the moisture and deteriorating and cracking over time. Apply the coat using a brush or the tip of your 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 process at intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown at you or a rock that is errant or a fallen branch can cause a window to crack or break. The majority of windows can be replaced by putting in a new piece. The glass is held in place with a small metal clip called a glazier's point, and putty, which is often called glazing compound. Before you install a new pane, first take out the old one and clean the area with a rag and a pull-type paint scraper or a wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while working. If the window is glued to the frame, you'll have to employ a heat gun in order to soften the adhesive prior to cutting it loose.

If you're planning to install your original sash, you must remove the mold that holds the old pane. Sand the sash until it is flat and ready to receive new caulk. Once the sash is installed and sanded, apply a fresh silicone caulk around the glass to ensure it will not leak or change color as time passes.

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets, or the grooves in the sash where the glass sits. If they're difficult to work out, try placing an instrument like a heat gun to soften them up first. If you're using a heated gun, be cautious not to damage the sash or its railings by placing the tool too closely.

Once the old points of glazing and putty have been removed make a bed for the new pane. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, forming it to be around 1/2-inch thick. Press it into the rabbets, where the glass will be placed. It's important that the glass sits on the putty in all places on both sides So if you have to do so, gently tap the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked then you can seal it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk prior to pressing it into the sash. If the crack isn't sealed, you will need to use putty to keep water from getting in. When the putty dries and the film is oily, wipe it off the glass with the help of a rag. Allow it to dry completely prior to 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

You might be worried about replacing a broken pane of glass. The truth is, replacing a single pane glass doesn't need to be costly even if you do it your own. Even double-paned windows can be replaced for a fraction of the price it will cost for a professional.

If you are working with large glass windows first, ensure that it is securely fixed to the frame. This task is relatively easy and fast with the appropriate tools and techniques.

When you're ready to start with the removal of the old Window double glazing replacement pane by removing the glazing points of metal that are attached to it. These are tiny triangles of metal that act as "nails", holding the window in place. They are placed under a bead of glazing putty, which is then cured to form a solid, moulded wedge which holds the window in place and conceals the points.

After removal of the old pane clean the frame and wood. Scrape off any old paint and sand the rabbet grooves in which the glazing points were. Sand them down to clean wooden surfaces so you can paint the frames the same shade. After the sanding process, apply a coat of flax oil to the bare wood to help extend its lifespan.

Next, measure the dimensions of the window opening. It is necessary to take horizontal and vertical measurements of the entire opening, and also the thickness of the old pane. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure that you get the exact measurement for the new pane. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass during seasonal changes. Take these dimensions to a hardware or home improvement store and ask them to cut you 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.