How to Replace Window Panes

A cracked window pane is a nuisance. This could be an opportunity to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones, and reap advantages like improved comfort, increased resale values and reduced utility bills.

This is a project you could tackle yourself at only a fraction of the cost of hiring an expert. You'll need only the appropriate tools and a few hours of your time.

Glass

Replace your old single-paned windows with tempered insulate glass to improve energy efficiency, cut down on noise, and protect the historical integrity of your older home. Most homeowners with basic hand tools can replace a window pane. Alongside a replacement window seals pane, the following tools are required for the replacement process: latex glazing putty Glazier's points; pliers and an electric heater to warm the old putty, if necessary. Before beginning, wear gloves and safety glasses as working with broken glass may cause injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. It is recommended to use pliers however, a flathead may be used as well. Utilize a wood chisel or putty knives, to take away any old putty remaining around the frame and the window sash. Be careful to not break the window sash. Work slowly and carefully. It is a good idea to do this on a stable ladder rather than on the ground, Window sash replacement and to have someone standing below the sash to help hold it steady.

Make sure that the window frame is ready to receive the new pane when you have removed the old putty. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction, subtract 1/8 inch each from the measurements of the width and height. These measurements can be sent to a hardware or home center store to get a piece cut of glass stock to the proper size. You can cut the glass yourself if you possess the appropriate tools.

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

Before applying the putty on the surface, you must knead it thoroughly until it is smooth and free of lumps. Then, roll it into pencil-size strips. Apply the first strip to the frame's corner. Work from corner to corner, making sure it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

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

After getting rid of the old putty glazier points as well as any remaining leftovers, clean the frame thoroughly with an utility knife. If necessary you can lightly sand the wood along grooves of the rabbet to smooth rough areas. If you do sand the wood, ensure you protect it by using painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

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

Place the new pane into the frame and press it into the frame 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 flush with the top edge of the pane. the shoulders of the points should be just 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 when the glazing compound has dried. First, coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will stop the new putty from drying out or cracking due to the moisture it absorbs. Apply this coat with a brush or the tip of your putty knife, and then use the chisel, or the back end from the putty knife to gently press the new sash and glazier's point into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

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

If you are planning to reinstall your original sash, you must remove the mold that holds the old pane. Sand the sash until it is flat and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is installed, you can apply a silicone caulk on the glass. This will ensure that it doesn't get soiled or discolor over time.

Take out the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves in the sash, where the glass is. If they're difficult to work out, you can try holding an instrument like a heat gun to soften them up first. If you're using a heated gun, make sure not to cause damage to the railings of the sash or the sash itself by holding the tool too close.

Make a bed for your new pane by removing the old glaze and putty. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your hands, shaping it into a 1/2-inch thick. Place it into the rabbets, where the glass will be put. It's important that the glass rests against the putty in all places on each side If you have to tap it, gently press the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack then you can seal it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk prior pressing it into the sash. Otherwise, you'll need to apply putty on the crack to create an impervious seal to keep water out. After the putty has dried remove the oily film off of the glass and allow it to dry completely before painting. If you paint before the putty is completely dry, it won't form a strong seal and may leak or discolor in time.

Paint

If you've experienced a broken Window Sash replacement (125.141.133.9) pane, you may be worried about the expense of a new one. But the truth is that replacing one glass pane does not have to break the bank If you can do it yourself. In fact, even a double glazed window replacement-pane window can be replaced at less than the cost of a professional.

First, if you're working on a large window, make sure it is securely attached to the frame. This task is relatively easy and quick with the appropriate tools and techniques.

When you're ready to start with the removal of the old window pane by prying out the glazing points of metal that are attached to it. These are essentially small metal triangles which function as "nails" that keep the window in place in the wood frame. They are placed under a bead or glazing putty that sets to form solid wedge which 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 that has been used and sand down the rabbet grooves that the glazing points were. Sand them to bare wooden surfaces so you can paint the frames the same shade. After sanding the wood then apply a layer of flax oil. This will help to extend its life.

The next step is to determine the width of the window opening. You'll need to take vertical and horizontal measurements of the entire opening and also the thickness of the old pane. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure that you have the exact size for the new pane. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass in times of seasonal change. Take these measurements to your local hardware or home improvement store, and they will 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.