How to Replace Window Panes

A cracked window pane is a nuisance. This can be an opportunity to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones to enjoy benefits like increased comfort, increased resale value and reduced utility bills.

You can do it yourself at less than what it would cost to employ an expert. You'll only require the proper tools and a few hours of your time.

Glass

replace Window pane your old single-paned windows using tempered or insulate glass to improve energy efficiency, cut down on noise, and protect the historical integrity of your old home. The process of replacing the window pane is easy and can be completed by anyone with basic hand tools. You will also require an extra 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 gloves and safety goggles as working with broken glass may cause injuries.

Remove any broken glass pieces that remain. It is recommended to use pliers for this however a flathead could be used equally. Make use of a wood chisel or putty knife to get rid of any old putty remaining around the frame and the window sash. Take your time and work slowly making sure not to break the existing window sash. This can be done best on an elevated ladder, not on the ground. Also, have someone below the sash ensure it is held steady.

Make sure the window frame is ready to accommodate the new pane after you have removed the old glue. Find the width and the height of the sash opening, 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 get a piece cut of stock glass to the right size. Alternatively, you can cut the glass yourself if you have the right tools.

After putting in the new pane after installing the new pane, put a tiny amount of caulking along the edge to ensure it is weatherproof. Then, place a glazier's tip on the frame's opposite side to secure the pane into its place. The points shouldn't be tight enough to cause friction between the frame and sash However, they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty on the surface, knead thoroughly until it is smooth and free from lumps. Roll it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be placed in the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to the next so that it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular metal pieces that help secure the glass into the window frame without damaging the delicate surface. Understanding how to use these tiny pieces of help is simple and can save you money on a professional installation or the cost of new glass.

After getting rid of the old putty glazier points as well as any remaining leftovers Clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife. If necessary it is necessary to lightly sand the wood along the grooves of the rabbet to smooth rough areas. If you do sand your wood, ensure you protect it with painter's tack to avoid accidental damage.

Take the dimensions of the frame and record precise measurements. These measurements can be brought to the hardware or home center store and the new pane will be cut slightly smaller. This will ensure a snug fit, and allow for expansion and contraction.

Place the new window in the frame and push it into place firmly with your hand. Use the chisel's point or the edge of the putty blade to tap the glaziers' points as shown in Figure 11. When you're done taping, they should be level with the top edge of the pane, and the shoulders that are raised of the points should be just below the rabbet's rim groove.

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

Install the new window sash after the glazing compound has dried. First, coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will stop the new putty from drying out and cracking when it absorbs moisture. Apply this coat with a brush or the tip of your knife, then use the chisel, or the back end of the putty knife to gently hammer the new sash and glazier's points into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown at you or an unintentional rock, or a falling branch can cause a window to crack or break. Fortunately, the majority of windows can be repaired by simply placing a new piece of glass in its the proper place. The glass is held in place by a small metal clip called a glazier's point and putty, often called glazing compound. Before installing a replacement pane, first remove the old one and clean the area with a rag and a pull-type paint scraper or an abrasive wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while working. If the window is secured to the frame, you'll need use a heat gun to soften the adhesive prior to taking it off.

If you are planning to reinstall your original sash, you must remove the molding that supports the old pane. Then you can sand the sash down to make sure it's flat and ready to be re-caulked. After the sash has been re-installed and sanded, apply a fresh caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure that it will not leak or change color Replace window Pane in time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets, or the grooves in the sash where the glass sits. If they are hard to cut, place the hand tool, such as a heating gun over them to allow them to soften before. When using a heating tool, make sure to avoid damaging the sash and its railings.

Make a bed for your new pane by removing the old putty and glazing points. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your hands, shaping it into a 1/2-inch thick. Then, press it into the rabbets in which the glass will rest. The glass should rest against the putty on both sides. If necessary gently tap your glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can cover it with a solvent-based glass glue or silicone caulk prior to pressing it into the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you will need to use putty to keep water from getting in. Once the putty is dry clean the oily film off of the glass and let it dry completely before you paint. If you paint before the putty is fully dry, it won't form an effective seal and could discolor or leak in time.

Paint

If you've experienced a broken window pane, you may be worried about the cost of replacing it. In reality, replacing a single piece of glass doesn't have to be expensive even if you do it your own. In fact, even a double-pane window can be replaced for a fraction of the cost of a professional.

If you are working with large glass windows first, ensure that it is securely fixed to the frame. This job can be made relatively simple and fast with the right tools and techniques.

When you're ready to start taking off the old window pane by removing the metal glazing points that are attached to it. These are small metal triangles which act as "nails" that hold the window within the frame. They are placed under a bead of glazing putty, which transforms into a solid molded wedge that secures the window in place and replace Window Pane conceals the window's points.

After removal of the old pane clean the frame and wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used and sand the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were placed. Sand them to bare wooden surfaces, allowing you to paint the frames with the same shade. After sanding the wood then apply a layer of flax oil. This will help extend its life.

Then, take measurements of the dimensions of the window's opening. It is necessary to measure the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the entire opening as well as the thickness. To determine the exact dimensions of the new pane, subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. Take these measurements to your local hardware or home improvement store and have the glass cut for you.

Now, it's time to bed the new window glass replacement 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.