How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane could be a nuisance. It can also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows to enjoy benefits such as improved comfort, increased potential for resales, and less bills.

It's a project you can do yourself for less than the cost of hiring an expert. It requires the right equipment and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

Replace window Pane your single-paned windows with tempered or insulate glass to improve the efficiency of your energy, reduce noise, and protect the historic integrity of your old home. The procedure of replacing the window pane is easy and can be accomplished by anyone with basic hand tools. In addition to a new pane, the following items are needed: latex glazing putty; pliers, glazier's points 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 broken pieces of glass. It is best to use pliers for this however, a flathead may be used as well. Make use of a wood chisel or putty knives, to take away any remaining old putty around the frame and the window sash. Work slowly and carefully, taking care not to break the current window sash. It is best to do this on a sturdy ladder rather than the ground, and to have someone stand below the sash to help 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 for the sash by 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 that is in stock to the correct size. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself, if you have the right tools.

After installing the new pane After installing the new pane, apply a small amount of caulking around the edges to ensure it is weatherproof. Install a glazier's point on both sides of the frame. This will ensure the pane. The points should not be so tight that they cause friction between the frame and sash however they shouldn't be too loose.

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

Glazier's Points

The glazier's facets are tiny triangular pieces of steel that help secure glass into frames for windows without scratching or damaging the fragile surface. Understanding how to use these hidden tiny helpers is simple and can save you money on professional installation or the cost of purchasing new glass.

After the old putty and the glazier's points have been removed, thoroughly clean the frame with a knife to remove any remaining residue. Lightly sand the frame in the rabbet grooves if needed to smooth rough areas. If you sand wood cover it with painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

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

Place the new pane into the frame and press it down using your hands. Utilize the chisel's point or the back of the putty knife to smudge the glazier's points as illustrated in Figure 11. After you're done, the points should be in line with the top edge of the pane, and the raised shoulders of the points should be below the rabbet's lip. groove.

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

Once the glazing compound has dried it's time to put in the new window sash. First, coat the wood with a thick coat of linseed oil. This will prevent the new putty from drying out or cracking when it absorbs moisture. Use a brush to apply this coat, or the point of the blade. Then, use the chisel on the back of the tool or the back of the putty handle to gently hit the new sash, or glazier's point into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown or a rock thrown by error, or a tree falling can result in a cracked or cracked window. Most windows can be replaced by installing a new piece. The glass is held into position by a small metal clip, referred to as the glazier's point, and putty. This compound is also known as glazing compound. Before you install a new pane, first get rid of the old one and clean the area with an abrasive and an abrasive scraper that is a pull type or an abrasive wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while working. If the window is secured to the frame, you'll have to employ a heat gun in order to soften the adhesive prior to prying it free.

If you plan to reinstall the original sash, gently remove any molding pieces that secure the old pane. Sand the sash until it is flat and ready to receive new caulk. Once the sash window replacement is installed then, you can apply a silicone caulk on the glass. This will ensure that it won't leak over time or discolor.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash, where the glass is located. If they're difficult to cut out, try holding the hand tool, such as a heat gun to soften them before you do. If you're using a heat gun, be careful not to damage the railings or sash by placing the tool too tightly.

Once the old glaze points and putty have been removed make a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope with glazing compound between your fingers and then make it about 1/2 inch thick. Then, push it into the rabbets where the glass will rest. It's important that the glass sits on the putty in all places on each side, so if you need to do so, gently tap the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can use the silicone caulk or glass glue based on solvents to fill in the crack before pressing it in the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you will require putty to keep the water out. After the putty is dry and the film is oily, wipe it off the glass with the help of a rag. Allow it to completely dry before painting. Paint before the putty has completely dried. It won't create a solid seal and may be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a damaged piece of glass. It's true that replacing a single pane glass doesn't need to be expensive when you do it on your own. Even a double-paned window could be replaced for a fraction of the price it costs for a professional.

If you're working with large glass windows first, ensure that it is securely attached to the frame. By using the correct tools and techniques you can make this task relatively easy and quick.

If you're ready to begin taking off the old window pane by removing the metal glazing points that are connected to it. These are basically small metal triangles which function as "nails" that hold the window in place in the wood frame. They are submerged beneath a glaze putty or bead that hardens to solid wedge that holds the wood frame securely in place and hides the points.

After removal of the old pane clean the frame and wood. Scrape away any old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves, where the glazing points were. These should be sanded to bare wood, so that you can paint them the same color as the rest the frame. 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's opening. You'll need to take horizontal and vertical measurements of the entire opening as well as the thickness of the old pane. 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. Take these dimensions to the hardware or home improvement store and ask them to cut you 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.