How to Replace Window Panes

A cracked window pane can be a nuisance. It could also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows, and enjoy benefits such as more comfort, higher resale value and reduced utility bills.

It's a project you can do yourself for only a fraction of the cost of hiring an expert. It requires the right tools and only an hour or two of your time.

Glass

If your single-pane windows are outdated broken, deteriorating or damaged replacing them with modern insulated or tempered glass can increase energy efficiency and decrease noise while preserving the historic integrity of older homes. The majority of homeowners with basic hand tools can repair windows with ease. You will also need an extra window pane, glazier's tips pliers, and latex glazing putty. If necessary, you can make use of a heat gun to warm the old putty. Before beginning, wear gloves and safety goggles as working with broken glass may cause injuries.

Take out any broken glass pieces remaining. This can be done with the help of pliers though using a flathead screwdriver can also work in a pinch. Make use of a wood chisel or putty knives, to take away any remaining old putty around the frame and the window sash. Be careful to not break the window sash. Take your time and work slowly. It is a good idea to do this on a stable ladder rather than on the ground and have someone standing below the sash to help keep it steady.

Once you've removed all the old putty, it is time to prepare the window frame to accommodate the new pane. Measure the width and height of the sash opening by subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). Take these measurements to a hardware store or home center and find a piece glass cut to size. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself, if you have the tools you need.

After putting the new pane in place After installing the new pane, apply a small amount of caulking around the edge to make it weatherproof. Install a glazier's point on both sides of the frame. This will secure the pane. The points shouldn't be tight enough to create friction between the frame and sash However, they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty, knead it thoroughly until it is smooth and free of lumps. Make it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be glued to the frame's corner. Work from one corner to the next, making sure it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are the small triangular pieces of metal that allow glass to be secured into the frame of a window without damaging or scratching the delicate surface. Knowing how to use these hidden tiny helpers is simple and could save you money on a professional installation or the cost of buying new glass.

After the old putty and glazier's points are removed Clean the frame thoroughly with a knife to eliminate any remaining traces. Lightly sand the wood into the rabbet grooves, if necessary, to smooth rough areas. If you decide to sand the wood, make sure to protect it by using painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Take measurements of the empty frame and note down precise measurements. These dimensions can be taken to an hardware or home centers store, and the new frame will be cut to a smaller size. This will ensure a snug fit, and allow for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and press it in place by using your hands. Then, you can use the point of your chisel or the back end of the putty knife to pierce the glazier's points, as illustrated in Figure 11. When you're done, they should be flush with the top edge of the pane, and the raised shoulders of the points should be just below the rabbet's lip. groove.

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. Allow this to dry and cure fully.

Install the new window sash after the glazing compound has dried. First, saturate the wood with a heavy coat of Linseed oil. This will prevent the new putty from sucking up moisture and drying out and cracking with time. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or the point of the putty blade. Then, use the chisel that is on the back of the tool or the back of the putty handle to gently hammer the new sash or glazier's tip into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process every 10 inches around the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown, a rock thrown in error or a branch falling can cause a broken or cracked window pane. Luckily, Double Glazing Window Replacement most windows can be replaced by simply putting a new piece in the right place. The glass is held in the position with a tiny metal clip, also known as a glazier’s point and putty. This compound is also referred to as glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area with a rag, a scraper that is a pull type or a wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves when working. You'll require a heat gun if the window is glued into the frame.

If you are planning to replace the original sash, remove the molding pieces that hold the old pane in place. Then, sand the sash to ensure it's smooth and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is re-installed, apply a new silicone caulk to the glass to ensure that it will not leak or change color over time.

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets, the grooves in the sash that the glass is. If they're hard to chisel out, you can try holding a hand tool like a heat gun to soften them before you do. When using a heated tool, be sure to avoid damaging the sash or its railings.

Make the bed for your new pane by removing the old glaze and putty. Roll a rope of double glazing window replacement compound between your fingers and make it around 1/2 inch thick. Place it into the rabbets where the glass will be put. The glass must rest against the putty on both sides. If necessary gently tap your glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has cracked, you can use the silicone caulk or glass glue made from solvents to cover the crack before pressing it into the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you will require putty to keep the water out. After the putty is dry then clean the oily film off the glass using the help of a rag. Allow it to dry completely prior to painting. If you paint before the putty is completely dry, it won't form an effective seal and could be leaking or discoloring in time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a broken pane of glass. It's true that replacing a single pane glass doesn't have to be costly when you do it on your own. In fact, even a double glazing replacement windows glazing window replacement, Suggested Browsing,-pane window can be replaced at a fraction of the cost of an expert.

First, if you are working on a large-sized window, ensure that it is securely fastened to the frame. This can be made relatively simple and Double Glazing Window Replacement fast with the right tools and techniques.

Once you're ready to begin, begin by removing the old window by removing the glazing points of metal that are attached to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles that act as "nails" that hold the window in within the frame of wood. They are placed under a bead of glazing putty that is then cured to form a solid, molded wedge that secures the window in place and hides the points.

After removal of the old pane clean the frame and wood. Scrape off any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves, where the glazing points used to be. Sand them down to clean wood surfaces, so that you can paint the frames with the same color. After sanding the wood, apply a layer of flax oil. This will help to prolong the life of the frame.

The next step is to determine the size of the window's opening. You'll need to take vertical and horizontal measurements of the entire opening as well as the thickness of the old pane. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure you get a precise size for the new pane. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass during seasons of change. You can bring these measurements to a hardware store 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.