How to Replace window pane Window Panes

A damaged window pane could cause a lot of trouble. This can be an opportunity to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones to enjoy benefits like increased comfort, higher resale value and reduced utility costs.

It's a project you can tackle yourself at only a fraction of the cost of hiring an expert. You'll need only the right tools and a few hours of your time.

Glass

If your single-pane windows are outdated damaged, cracked or deteriorating replacing them with modern glass that is tempered or insulated will increase energy efficiency and reduce noise while also preserving the historic integrity of older homes. The process of replacing a window pane is relatively easy and can be completed by homeowners with basic hand tools. You will also need an additional window pane, glazier's tips, pliers, and latex glazing putty. If needed, you can use a heatgun to warm the old putty. Wear safety glasses and gloves before you begin. Working with broken glass could cause serious injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. It is recommended to use pliers however a flathead could be used equally. Then, use a wooden chisel or putty knife remove the rest of the old putty around the frame and sash. Take your time and work slowly making sure not to break the existing window sash. This is best done on a ladder, not the ground. Also, have someone below the sash keep it in place.

Make sure the window frame is ready to receive the new pane once you have removed the old glue. Take measurements of the width and height of the opening for the sash by subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for Replace Window pane seasonal expansion and contraction). Bring these measurements to an hardware store or home center, and have a piece of stock glass cut to size. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself if you have the right tools.

After putting in the new glass After installing the glass, apply caulking on the edges. This will make the glass 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, but they should also not be loose.

Before applying the putty work it in a gentle manner until it is soft and free of lumps. Then make it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip to the corner of the frame. Work from one corner to another to ensure it's even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier’s points are small triangular pieces of metal which help to secure the glass into the window frame without causing any damage to the fragile surface. Knowing how to use these tiny pieces of help is simple and could save you money on a professional installation or the cost of new glass.

After the old putty as well as glazier's points are removed, thoroughly clean the frame using a utility knife to get rid of any remaining traces. If necessary you can lightly sand the wood along the rabbet grooves to smooth rough spots. If you decide to sand the wood, make sure to protect it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

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

Place the new window in the frame and press it into place firmly using your hand. Then, use the tip of your chisel or the back end of the putty knife to make a tap on the glazier's points, as shown in Figure 11. After you're done, the points should be flush with the top edge of the pane. the raised shoulders of the points should be just below the lip of the rabbet groove.

Apply a small amount of glazing compound over the edges of the glass that has been made and into the rabbet grooves, to seal and protect them. Allow this to dry and cure fully.

After the glazing compound dries and the glazing compound is dry, you can install the new window sash. The first step is to coat the wood with a heavy coat of linseed oil. This will prevent the newly-created putty drying out or cracking due to the moisture it absorbs. Apply this coat with a brush or the edge of your putty knife, and 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 rabbet grooves. Repeat this process every 10 inches around the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A baseball that is thrown or an unintentional rock, or a falling branch can cause a window to break or crack. Fortunately, the majority of windows can be replaced by simply placing a new piece of glass in its the right place. The glass is held into position by a small metal clip, also known as the glazier's point, and putty. This compound is also referred to as glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area using the rag, a pull-type scraper or wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while doing this work. You'll require a heat gun in the event that the window is glued to the frame.

If you are planning to reinstall your original sash, you must remove the molding that supports the old pane. Sand the sash until it is flat and ready to receive new caulk. Once the sash is re-installed and sanded, apply a fresh silicone caulk around the glass to ensure it doesn't swell or fade in time.

Take out the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash, which is where the glass is. If they are hard to chisel, use a hand tool such as a heatgun over them for a few minutes to soften them. When using a heat tool, be careful to not damage the sash and its railings.

Create the bed for your new pane after you have removed the old putty and glazing points. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your hands, shaping it to be around 1/2-inch thick. Then, you can press it into the rabbets, where the glass will be. It is essential that the glass rests against the putty on each side, so if you need 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 glass glue or silicone caulk before pressing it into the sash. If not, you'll have to putty over the crack to create an airtight seal and keep water out. After the putty has dried remove the oily film off of the glass and let it dry completely before painting. Paint after the putty has dried completely. It won't create a solid seal and could leak or discolor with time.

Paint

If you've suffered a break in a window pane, then you may be concerned about the expense of replacing it. However, replacing one glass pane does not require a huge amount of money if you do it yourself. Even a double-paned window could be replaced for a fraction of what it will cost a professional.

If you're working with large glass windows first ensure it is securely attached to the frame. Using the proper tools and techniques you can complete this task easily and speedy.

When you're ready to start taking off the old window pane by prying out the metal glazing points that are attached to it. These are basically small metal triangles that act as "nails" that hold the window in within the frame of wood. They are submerged beneath a layer of glazing putty, which hardens into a solid, moulded wedge that secures the window in place and hides the edges.

After taking off the old pane clean the frame and wood. Scrape off any old paint, and sand the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were. These should be sanded to bare wood, to allow you to paint them the same color as the rest of the frame. After sanding, apply a coat of flax oil on the wood that is not sanded down to prolong its life.

The next step is to determine the width of the window's opening. It is necessary to take vertical and horizontal measurements of the entire opening, and also the thickness of the old pane. 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. You can take these measurements to a hardware store or home improvement shop and get the glass cut for you.

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