How to replace window pane Window Panes

A damaged window pane can be an issue. This could be an opportunity to upgrade to energy-efficient windows or insulated ones, and reap benefits like increased comfort, increased resale values and reduced utility costs.

It's a task you can tackle yourself at less than the cost of hiring a professional. It requires the right tools and only an hour or two of your time.

Glass

Replace Window Pane your single-paned windows with tempered or insulate glass to improve energy efficiency, reduce noise, and maintain the historical integrity of your old home. The replacement of the window pane is easy and can be completed by homeowners with basic hand tools. You will also need an extra window pane, glazier's tips pliers, and latex glazing putty. If you need to you may use a heatgun to warm the old putty. Before starting, put on gloves and safety glasses as working with broken glass can cause injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. It is recommended to use pliers for this however a flathead could be used equally. Utilize a wood chisel or putty knife to get rid of any remaining old putty around the frame and window sash. Be careful to not scratch the window sash. Be careful and slow. This should be done on an elevated ladder, not on the ground. Also, ensure that someone below the sash hold it steady.

After you have removed all of the old putty, you can prepare the window frame for the new pane. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction by subtracting 1/8 inch from the measurements of the width and height. Bring these measurements to a hardware store or home center and get a piece of stock glass cut to size. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself if have the right tools.

After putting the new pane in place, run a small bead of caulking around the edge to make it weatherproof. Then, place a glazier's tip on the frame's opposite side to hold the pane in its place. The points shouldn't be too tight that they cause friction between the frame and the sash however they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty, make sure to knead it until it is soft and free of lumps. Make it into pencil-sized strips. Place the first strip to the corner of the frame, replace window Pane moving from one corner to another so that it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

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

After getting rid of the old putty glazier points, and any other leftovers, clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife. Lightly sand the wood into the rabbet grooves, if necessary, to smooth out rough areas. If you decide to 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 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 allow for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane in the frame and push it in using your hands. Make use of the chisel's point, or the back of the putty blade to smudge the glaziers' points as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's points should be in line with the top edge of the pane and the shoulders should be just beneath that lip.

Apply a thin layer of glazing compound on the edges of the new glass and into the rabbet grooves to seal and protect them. Let it dry and cure completely.

Install the new window sash after the glazing compound has dried. The first step is to coat the wood with a heavy coat of linseed oil. This will stop the new putty drying out or cracking due to the moisture it absorbs. 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 tool or the back of the handle to gently hammer the new sash or glazier's tip into the rabbet grooves. 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 could result in a broken or cracked window pane. Luckily, most windows can be easily replaced by simply placing a new piece in place. The glass is held into position by a small metal clip, also known as a 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 using the help of a rag, a pull-type paint scraper or an abrasive wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves while doing this work. You'll need a heat gun when the window is fixed to the frame.

If you are planning to replace the original sash, remove the molding pieces that hold the old pane in place. Sand the sash until it is flat and ready to receive new caulk. After the sash has been re-installed then, apply a new silicone caulk around the glass to ensure it doesn't swell or fade as time passes.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets and the grooves in the sash, where the glass is. If they're hard to chisel out, try placing a hand tool like a heat gun over them to soften them before you do. If you're using a heating gun, make sure not to cause damage to the railings or sash by holding the tool too tightly.

Once the old points of glazing and putty have been removed make a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your fingers and make it about 1/2 inch thick. Then, press it into the rabbets in which the glass will rest. It is essential that the glass rests against the putty in all places on both sides, replace window Pane so if you need to tap it, gently press the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can apply a silicone caulk or a glass glue that is based on solvents to cover the crack before pressing it into the sash. If the crack isn't sealed, you'll need to use putty to keep the water out. After the putty has dried remove the oily film off of the glass and let it dry completely before you paint. If you paint before the putty is fully dry, it won't form a solid seal and could leak or discolor over time.

Paint

If you've suffered a break in a window pane, then you may be worried about the cost of a new one. But the truth is that replacing one glass pane does not have to break the bank if you do it yourself. In fact even windows with double glazing replacement window panes can be replaced at only a fraction of the cost of a professional.

First, if you are working on a large window, ensure that it is securely attached to the frame. By using the correct tools and techniques to accomplish this task fairly easily and fast.

If you're ready to begin, begin by removing the old window pane by removing the metal glazing points that are attached to it. These are small metal triangles that function as "nails" that hold the window in place. They are placed under a bead of glazing putty, which transforms into a solid formed wedge that holds the window firmly in place and hides the window's points.

After you have the old pane taken away Clean up the frame and wood. Scrape away any old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves, where the glazing points were. They should be sanded to bare wood so that you can paint them the same color as the rest of the frame. After sanding, apply a coat of flax oil on the wood's surface to prolong its life.

Next, measure the size of the window opening. You'll need to take horizontal and vertical measurements of the entire opening as well as the thickness of the old pane. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure that you get the exact measurement for the new pane. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. Bring these measurements to the hardware or home improvement store and 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.