How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane could be a nuisance. This can be an opportunity to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones and enjoy benefits such as improved comfort, increased resale values and reduced utility bills.

You can do it yourself at less than what it would cost to employ an expert. You only need the right tools and a few minutes of your time.

Glass

replace window pane your single-paned windows using tempered or insulation glass to improve the efficiency of your energy, reduce noise, and preserve the historic integrity of your older home. The procedure of replacing windows is easy and can be accomplished by anyone with basic hand tools. Alongside a replacement pane, the following items are required: latex glazing putty; pliers, glazier's points and the use of a heat gun to warm the old putty, if necessary. Before starting, put on gloves and safety goggles as working with broken glass can cause injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. This is best done using a pair of pliers, however, a flathead screwdriver may be effective in the pinch. Utilize a wood chisel or putty knife to get rid of any old putty that remains around the frame and the window sash. Take your time and work slowly and be careful not to damage the old window sash. It is best to work on a stable ladder instead of the ground and to have someone standing below the sash to help hold it steady.

After you've removed all the old putty, it is time to prepare the window frame to accommodate the new pane. Find the width and the height of the sash opening and subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for Replace window pane seasonal expansion and contraction). Take these measurements to an hardware store or home center, and have a piece of stock glass cut to size. You can also cut the glass by yourself if you have the right tools.

After putting in the new glass, apply some caulking around the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then, place a glazier's tip on each side of the frame to secure the pane into the right place. The points shouldn't be so tight that they create friction between the frame and the sash However, they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty work it in a gentle manner until it is soft and free of lumps. Then you can roll it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be placed to the corner of the frame, working from one corner to another to ensure it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular pieces of metal that allow glass to be secured to the frame without causing any damage to the fragile surface. It's easy to understand how to use this hidden tool, and you'll save money on the cost of an installation by a professional.

After the old putty as well as the glazier's points have been removed and the frame is thoroughly cleaned with a utility knife to eliminate any remaining traces. If needed it is necessary to lightly sand the wood in the grooves of the rabbet to smooth out rough spots. If you sand wood, protect it with painter’s tape to prevent accidental damage.

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

Place the new pane into the frame and press it down with your hands. Use the point of the chisel or the back of the putty knife to tap in 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 just below the lip of the rabbet groove.

Apply a thin bead 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 fully.

After the glazing compound dries it's time to put in the new window sash. First, coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will prevent the new putty from soaking up moisture and drying out and cracking with time. Apply this coat using a brush or the tip of your knife, then use the chisel, or the back end of the putty knife to gently hammer in the new sash and glazier's points into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process every 10 inches around the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A baseball hit, a rock thrown in error, or a tree falling can result in a cracked or cracked window. The majority of windows can be replaced easily by simply putting in a fresh piece. The glass is held into place by a small metal clip, called the glazier's point, and putty. This compound is also called glazing compound. Before you install a new pane, first get rid of the old one and clean up the area using the help of a rag, an abrasive scraper that is a pull type or a wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves while doing this work. If the window is secured to the frame, you'll need to make use of a heat gun to soften the adhesive prior to cutting it loose.

If you're planning to install the original sash, take off the molding that supports the old pane. Then you can sand the sash down to make sure it's flat and ready for a new caulk. After the sash has been reinstalled, you can apply a silicone caulk to the glass. This will ensure that it won't be leaking or fade over time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets, the grooves in the sash, where the glass sits. If they're hard to chisel out, try placing an instrument like a heat gun over them to soften them up first. When using a heat tool, be sure to avoid damaging the sash's railings and sash.

Create the bed for your new pane after removing the old glaze and putty. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your fingers and make it around 1/2 inch thick. Place it into the rabbets where the glass will be placed. It is essential that the glass is positioned against the putty on both sides, so if you need to, lightly tap the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can cover it with a solvent-based glass glue or silicone caulk prior Window replacement to pressing it into the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you will need to apply putty to keep water out. When the putty dries, clean the oily film off the glass with an abrasive and allow it to dry completely prior to painting. Paint after the putty has dried completely. It won't form a good seal and may be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

If you've had a broken window pane, then you may be concerned about the expense of a new one. However, replacing one glass pane does not require a huge amount of money when you do it yourself. Even double-paned windows can be replaced for a fraction of the price it will cost an expert.

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

When you are ready to begin, remove the old window pane. Take out the metal glazing points attached to it. These are basically small metal triangles which function as "nails" that hold the window in within the frame of wood. They are submerged beneath a bead or glazing glue that hardens to solid wedge that holds the wood frame in place and conceals the edges.

After you have the old pane removed clean the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape away any old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves, where the glazing points used to be. They should be sanded to bare wood, to allow you to paint them the same color as the rest the frame. After sanding, apply a coat of flax oil on the bare wood to extend the life of the frame.

Next, measure the size of the window opening. You will need to take vertical and horizontal measurements of the entire opening, and also the thickness of the old pane. To get the exact size of the new pane, subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass during seasons of 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, replace window pane it can be painted with the same color as the frame to prevent water and air from leaking into the frame and causing fogging.