How to Replace Window Panes

A cracked window pane can be a nuisance. It could be a chance to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones, and reap advantages like improved comfort, increased resale value and reduced utility costs.

This is a project you could 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 using tempered or insulate glass to improve the efficiency of your energy, reduce noise, and preserve the original character of your home's older. The procedure of replacing a window pane is relatively easy and can be completed by anyone with basic hand tools. Alongside a replacement pane, the following tools are required for the replacement process: latex glazing putty Glazier's points; pliers and an electric heater to warm the old putty if required. Before starting, wear gloves and safety glasses as working with broken glass can cause injuries.

Take out any broken glass pieces that remain. This can be done with pliers, though using flathead screwdrivers can be used in a pinch. Utilize a wood chisel or putty knives to remove any remaining old putty around the frame and the window sash. Be careful to not scratch the window sash replacement sash. Work slowly and carefully. It is recommended to work on a stable ladder rather than the ground and to have someone stand below the sash to help keep it in place.

Once you have removed all the old putty, you can prepare the window frame to fit the new pane. Measure the width and height of the opening for the sash and subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). Take these measurements to the nearest hardware store or home center and find a piece glass cut to size. Alternatively, you can cut the glass yourself if you have the appropriate tools.

After installing the new pane After installing the new pane, apply a small amount of caulking along the edge to seal it against weather. Install a glazier’s point on both sides of the frame. This will help secure the pane. The points shouldn't be so tight that they cause friction between the frame and the sash however they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty to the surface, knead thoroughly until it is smooth and free from lumps. Then make it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip in the corner of the frame, working from one corner to the next to ensure it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are the small triangular pieces of metal which help to secure glass into frames for windows without damaging or scratching the delicate surface. It's easy to understand how to use this hidden tool, and Replace Window Pane you'll be able to save money on the cost of an expert installation.

After taking off the old putty, glazier points, and any other remnants Clean the frame thoroughly with an utility knife. Lightly sand the frame in the rabbet grooves, if necessary, to smooth rough areas. If you decide to sand wood, protect it with painter's tape to protect it from damage caused by accidental sanding.

Note down the dimensions of the frame. Bring these measurements to a hardware store or home center, and have the new pane made slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a secure fit and will allow room for expansion and contraction.

Insert the new pane into the frame and push firmly using your hands. Use the point of the chisel or the back of the putty blade to smudge the glazier's points, as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's point should be in line with the top edge of the pane and the raised shoulders should be just below that lip.

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

Install the new window sash when the glazing compound has dried. First, you need to coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will prevent the new putty from taking up moisture and deteriorating and cracking with time. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or even the tip of the blade. Then use the chisel on the back of the putty tool or the back of the handle to gently hit the new sash, or glazier's point into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown at you, an errant rock or a fallen branch can cause a window pane to crack or break. Most windows can be replaced by simply putting in a fresh piece. The glass is held into the position with a tiny 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 remove the old one and clean the area using the help of a rag, the pull-type paint scraper or a wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while working. You'll need a heat gun in the event that the window is glued into the frame.

If you are planning to reinstall the original sash, take off the molding that supports the old pane. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready to receive new caulk. Once the sash is re-installed and sanded, apply a fresh silicone caulk to the glass to ensure it will not leak or change color in time.

Remove the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash, where the glass is. If they're difficult to chisel, hold an instrument like a heat gun over them to allow them to soften before. When using a heated tool, make sure to not damage the sash or its railings.

Once the old points of glazing and putty are removed, prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your hands, forming it to be about 1/2-inch thick. Press it into the rabbets, where the glass will be put. The glass must be positioned against the putty on both sides. If you need to, lightly tap your glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can cover it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk before pressing it into the sash. In other cases, you'll need to putty over the crack to create an impervious seal to keep water out. After the putty has dried remove the oily film off of the glass and allow it to dry completely before painting. Paint before the putty is completely dry. It won't make a strong seal and could discolor or leak over time.

Paint

If you've experienced a broken window pane, you may be worried about the expense of a new one. It's true that replacing a single pane of glass doesn't need to be costly if you do it on your own. Even a double-paned window can be replaced for a fraction of the price it would cost for a professional.

First, if you are working on a large-sized window, make sure that it is securely fixed to the frame. Using the proper tools and techniques to make this task relatively easy and quick.

Once you're ready to begin with the removal of the old window by prying out the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. These are essentially small metal triangles which function as "nails" which hold the window in within the frame of wood. They are placed under a bead or glazing glue which hardens into a solid wedge that holds the frame in place and conceals the edges.

Once you have the old pane removed clean the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape away any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves, where the glazing points used to be. Sand them down to bare wood surfaces, so that you can paint the frames the same shade. After sanding the wood, apply a layer of flax oil. This will help extend its life.

The next step is to determine the size of the window's opening. You will need to take horizontal and vertical measurements of the entire opening as well as the thickness of the old pane. To get the exact size 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 or home improvement shop 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 Replace window pane causing fogging.