How to Replace window Pane Window Panes

A damaged window pane can be an inconvenience. It could also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows to reap benefits like improved comfort, increased resale value and reduced utility bills.

You can do it yourself for a a fraction of what it would cost to hire an expert. You'll only require the right tools and a few minutes of your time.

Glass

If your single-pane windows are outdated, deteriorating or broken replacing them with more modern insulated or tempered glass can increase energy efficiency and decrease noise while maintaining the historical integrity of older homes. Most homeowners with basic hand tools can replace windows with ease. You will also need an additional window pane, glazier's tips pliers, and latex glaze putty. If necessary you can use a heating gun to warm the old putty. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to beginning. Working with broken glass could cause serious injuries.

Remove any broken glass pieces remaining. It is best to use pliers however a flathead could work equally. Use a wood chisel, or putty knives to remove any remaining old putty around the frame and window sash. Be careful and slow, taking care not to damage the old window replacement panes sash. It is a good idea to work using a sturdy ladder rather than on the ground and to have someone standing below the sash to help hold it in place.

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

After putting in the new glass Apply caulking around the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then, place a glazier's tip on the frame's opposite side to hold the pane in place. The points shouldn't be tight enough to cause friction between the frame and the sash however they should not be loose.

Before putting the putty on, knead it thoroughly until it is smooth and free of lumps. Make it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be placed in the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to the other so that it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

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

After removing the old putty, glazier points and any residue clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife. If necessary, lightly sand the wood in the grooves of the rabbets to smooth rough spots. If you sand wood protect it with painter's tape to protect it from damage caused by accidental sanding.

Measure the empty frame's dimensions and note down precise measurements. Take these measurements to an hardware store or home center, and have the new pane cut smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure that the pane fits snugly and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and push it in with your hands. Then, you can use the point of your chisel, or the back of the putty knife to tap in the glazier's points as shown in Figure 11. The glazier's point should be aligned with the top edge of the pane and the raised shoulders should be just beneath that lip.

Apply a small amount 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.

Install the new window sash once the glazing compound has dried. First, coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will stop the new putty drying out or cracking due to the moisture it absorbs. Use a brush to apply this coat, or the tip of the blade. Then use the chisel on the back of the tool or the back of the handle to gently smash the new sash or glazier's tip into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.

Putty

A baseball hit, a rock thrown in error, or a fallen tree can cause a broken or cracked window pane. Most windows can be repaired easily by putting in a new piece. The glass is held in position by a small metal clip, called a glazier’s point and putty. This compound is also known as glazing compound. Before installing a replacement pane, first get rid of the old one and clean up the area using a rag and a pull-type paint scraper or a wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves when you work. You'll require a heat gun if the window is glued to the frame.

If you plan to reinstall the original sash in the future, take care to remove the molding pieces that hold the old pane in place. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is installed, you can apply a silicone caulk on the glass. This will ensure that it doesn't get soiled or discolor over time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash, where the glass is located. If they are hard to chisel, use an instrument such as a heating gun over them to soften first. If you're using a heated gun, make sure not to cause damage to the sash or its railings by using the tool too close.

After the old points of glazing and putty are removed, make a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope made of glazing compound between your fingers and make it around 1/2 inch thick. Then, press it into the rabbets where the glass will rest. The glass must rest against the putty on both sides. If needed, lightly tap your glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack then you can seal it with a solvent-based glass glue or silicone caulk before pressing it into the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you will need to use putty to keep water from getting in. When the putty dries then clean the oily film off the glass using a rag and allow it to completely dry before painting. Paint after the putty is completely dry. It won't create a solid seal and may discolor or Replace Window pane leak over time.

Paint

If you've had a broken window pane, then you may be worried about the expense of replacing it. The truth is, replacing a single pane of glass doesn't need to be costly even if you do it your own. Even double-paned windows can be replaced at a fraction of the cost it costs for a professional.

If you are working on a large window, ensure that it is securely fastened to the frame. This job can be done relatively easy and quick with the appropriate tools and techniques.

When you are ready to begin, remove the old window pane. Remove the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. These are basically small metal triangles which function as "nails" that hold the window in place within the frame of wood. They are placed under a bead of glazing putty, which hardens into a solid, molded wedge that holds the window firmly in place and hides the points.

After taking off the old pane clean the frame and wood. Scrape away any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were. They should be sanded to the point of being bare, so that you can paint them the same shade as the rest of the frame. After sanding the wood you can apply a layer flax oil. This will help extend its life.

Then, you need to measure the size of the window 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. Take these measurements to your local hardware or home improvement store and have 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, it can be painted with the same color as the frame to prevent water and air from leaking into the frame and causing fogging.