How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window can be a nuisance. It could also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows, and reap benefits like greater comfort, a higher potential for resales, and less bills.

It's a task you can take on yourself for less than the cost of hiring a professional. You'll need only the appropriate tools and Window Seal Replacement a few hours of your time.

Glass

Replace your old single-paned windows with tempered or insulated glass to increase the efficiency of your energy, reduce noise, and protect the historic integrity of your older home. The replacement upvc window handles of a window pane is relatively easy and can be completed by most homeowners who possess basic hand tools. In addition to a replacement pane, the following tools are needed: latex glazing putty; glazier's points; pliers; and the use of a heat gun to warm the old putty if required. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to beginning. Working with broken glass could result in serious injuries.

Take away any broken glass pieces that remain. This is best done using the help of pliers however, a flathead screwdriver may be used in a pinch. Utilize a wood chisel or putty knives, to take away any old putty remaining around the frame and window sash. Take your time and work slowly and be careful not to break the current window sash. This is best done on an elevated ladder, not on the ground. Also, you should have someone below the sash hold it steady.

Make sure the window frame is ready to receive the new pane after you have removed the old putty. Measure the width and height of the sash opening and subtract 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 get a piece cut of glass stock to the proper size. You can also cut the glass by yourself if you have the appropriate tools.

After putting the new pane in place, run a small bead of caulking along the edge to make it weatherproof. Then install a glazier's point on the frame's opposite side to hold the pane in the right place. The points shouldn't be so tight that they cause 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 is soft and free of lumps. Cut it into pencil-sized pieces. The first strip should be glued to the corner of the frame. Work from corner to corner and ensure that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular pieces which help to secure glass into the frame of a window without damaging or scratching the delicate surface. It's simple to learn how to use this hidden tool, and you'll be able to save money on the cost of a professional installation.

After taking off the old putty, glazier points, and any other residue clean the frame thoroughly with an utility knife. If necessary, lightly sand the wood in the grooves of the rabbets to smooth rough areas. If you sand wood, protect it with painter’s tape to avoid accidental damage.

Write down the dimensions of the frame. These dimensions can be taken to a home center or hardware store and the new pane will be cut to a smaller size. This will ensure a tight fit and leave room for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane in the frame and push it into place firmly using your hand. Then, use the tip of your chisel, or the back of the putty knife to make a tap on the glazier's points, as illustrated 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 small amount 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 completely.

After the glazing compound dries, you're ready to install the new window sash. The first step is to coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will prevent the new putty from taking in the moisture and drying out and cracking over time. Use a brush to apply this coat, or even the tip of the blade. Then use the chisel that is on the back of the putty tool or the back of the handle to gently hammer the new sash or glazier's point into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown or a rock thrown by error, or a fallen tree can result in a cracked or cracked window pane. The majority of windows can be repaired easily 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 referred to as glazing compound. Before installing a new pane, first get rid of the old one and clean the area using an abrasive and an abrasive scraper that is a pull type or the wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while working. If the window is secured to the frame, you'll need employ a heat gun in order to soften the adhesive prior to prying it free.

If you're planning to reinstall your original sash, remove the molding that supports the old pane. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready to receive new caulk. After the sash has been installed, you can apply a silicone caulk over the glass. This will ensure that it won't be leaking or fade over time.

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets, the grooves in the sash that the glass is. If they're hard to chisel out, try placing the hand tool, such as a heat gun over them to soften them up first. If you're using a heat gun, be careful not to damage the railings of the sash or the sash itself by placing the tool too close.

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

If the new pane has a crack, you can cover it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk prior pressing it into the sash. If the crack isn't sealed, you'll need to apply putty to keep water from getting in. After the putty has dried, clean the oily film off the glass using the help of a rag. Allow it to completely dry before painting. If you paint before the putty has completely dry, it won't form a strong seal and may be leaking or discoloring in time.

Paint

If you've experienced a broken window pane, you may be worried about the expense of replacing it. But the truth is that replacing one glass pane does not need to cost a fortune If you can do it yourself. In fact even windows with double panes can be replaced at a fraction of the cost of an expert.

If you're working with large glass windows first ensure it is securely attached to the frame. By using the correct tools and techniques to accomplish this task fairly easily and quick.

If you're ready to begin, begin by removing the old window by prying out the glazing points made of metal that are connected to it. These are tiny metal triangles that act as "nails" to hold the window in the frame. They are submerged beneath a bead or glazing putty that sets to form an unbreakable wedge which holds the wood frame firmly in position and hides the points.

After you have removed the old pane taken away clean the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape off any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were. Sand them down to bare wooden surfaces, allowing you to paint the frames with the same shade. After sanding, apply a layer of flax oil to the wood that is not sanded down to extend the life of the frame.

Next, measure the dimensions of the window's opening. You'll need to determine the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the entire opening as well as the thickness. To determine the exact size of the new pane subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. You can take these measurements to a hardware or home improvement shop and have the glass cut for you.

Now, it's time to bed the new window seal replacement; visit the next page, 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.