How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window is an issue. It could also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows, and benefit from greater comfort, a higher resale value and reduced utility bills.

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

Glass

Replace Window Pane your old single-paned windows with tempered or insulated glass to increase energy efficiency, reduce noise, and protect the historical integrity of your home's older. The process of replacing a window pane is relatively simple and can be done by most homeowners who possess basic hand tools. In addition to a replacement pane, the following items are needed for the replacement double glazed windows process: latex glazing putty pliers, glazier's points and the use of a heat gun to warm the old putty if required. Before starting, put on protective gloves and goggles since working with broken glass may cause injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. It is best to use pliers for this however, a flathead may be used equally. Make use of a wood chisel or putty knives to remove any old putty that remains around the frame and window sash. Be careful to not break the window sash. Work slowly and carefully. This can be done best on a ladder, not on the ground. Also, have someone below the sash keep it in place.

Once you have removed all the old putty, you can prepare the window frame for the new pane. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction, subtract 1/8 inch each from the measurements of width and height. Take these measurements to the nearest hardware store or home center, and find a piece glass cut to size. You can also cut the glass yourself if have the right tools.

After installing the new glass Apply caulking to the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Install a glazier’s point on both sides of the frame. This will ensure the pane. The points shouldn't be too tight that they create friction between the sash and frame but they should not be too loose.

Before applying the putty on the surface, gently knead it until it is soft and free of lumps. Roll it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip to the corner of the frame. Work from one corner to the next to ensure it's even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular pieces of metal that help secure the glass to the frame without causing damage to the delicate surface. Understanding how to use these hidden little helpers is easy and can save you money on professional installation or the cost of purchasing new glass.

After removing the old putty, glazier points and any leftovers, clean the frame thoroughly with an utility knife. Lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves to smooth rough areas. If you decide to sand wood, protect it with painter’s tape to avoid accidental damage.

Measure the empty frame's dimensions and write down accurate 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 will allow room for expansion and contraction.

Insert the new pane into the frame and push it in using your hands. Utilize the point of the chisel, or the back of the putty blade to tap in the glaziers' points as shown in Figure 11. After you're done, the points should be level with the top edge of the pane, and the shoulders of the points should be below the rabbet's lip. groove.

Apply a thin bead of glazing compound over the edges of the new glass and into the rabbet grooves to seal and protect them. Allow it to dry completely and cure.

When the glazing compound is dry, you're ready to install the new window sash. First, you need to coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will prevent the newly-created putty drying out or cracking when it absorbs moisture. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or the tip of the blade. Then, use the chisel on the back of the putty tool or the back of the handle to gently smash the new sash or glazier's point into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A hurled baseball or a rock that is errant or falling branch could cause a window pane replacement to break or crack. The majority of windows can be replaced by simply putting in a fresh piece. 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 known as glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area using an abrasive, pull-type scraper or wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves when you work. If the window is attached to the frame, you'll need make use of a heat gun to soften the adhesive before taking it off.

If you're planning to reinstall your original sash, you must remove the molding that holds the old pane. Sand the sash until it is flat and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is re-installed, apply a new silicone caulk around the glass to ensure it will not leak or change color as time passes.

Remove the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves in the sash where the glass is located. If they're hard to cut, place the hand tool, such as a heatgun over them for a few minutes to soften them. If you're using a heat gun, make sure not to scratch the railings of the sash or the sash itself by using the tool too tightly.

Make a bed for your new pane by removing the old putty and glazing points. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your hands, forming it into a 1/2-inch thick. Then, you can press it into the rabbets where the glass will be. It is crucial that the glass sits on the putty on each side, Replace window Pane so if you need to do so, gently tap the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack you can fill it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk prior pressing it into the sash. If not, you'll have to putty over the crack to form an airtight seal and keep water out. After the putty has dried remove the oily film off the glass and let it dry completely before you paint. Paint after the putty has dried completely. It won't make a strong seal and could be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a broken pane of glass. The truth is, replacing a single pane of glass doesn't have to be expensive even if you do it your own. In fact, even a double-pane window can be replaced for a fraction of the cost of a professional.

If you are working with a large glass window first ensure it is securely attached to the frame. This can be made relatively simple and quick with the right tools and techniques.

When you are ready to begin with the removal of the window pane. Remove the metal glazing points that are attached to it. These are tiny triangles of metal that act as "nails" to hold the window within the frame. They are buried beneath a glaze putty or bead that hardens to a solid wedge that holds the wood frame securely in place and hides the sharp edges.

After removal of the old pane clean the frame and the wood. Scrape away any old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves, where the glazing points used to be. Sand them to bare wood surfaces, so that you can paint the frames the same color. After the sanding process, apply a coat of flax oil on the wood's surface to help extend its lifespan.

The next step is to measure the dimensions of the window opening. You will need to measure 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 also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass during seasons of changes. 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 window pane. To do this, Replace Window pane 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.