How to Replace window pane Window Panes

A damaged window pane can be an inconvenience. This can be an opportunity to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones, and reap benefits such as improved comfort, increased resale values and reduced utility costs.

It's a project you can tackle yourself at a fraction of the cost of hiring an expert. You only need the right tools and a few hours of your time.

Glass

If your single-pane windows are old damaged, cracked or deteriorating, replacing them with newer glass that is tempered or insulated can increase energy efficiency and reduce noise while preserving the original character of older homes. Most homeowners with basic hand tools can replace windows with ease. In addition to a new pane, the following components are required such as latex glazing putty; pliers, glazier's points and an electric heater to warm the old putty, if necessary. Before starting, wear gloves and safety glasses as working with broken glass can cause injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. It is recommended to use pliers, but a flathead can be useful equally. Utilize a wood chisel or putty knife to get rid of any old putty that remains around the frame and window sash. Be careful to not scratch the window replacements sash. Work slowly and carefully. This can be done best on a ladder, not on the ground. Also, you should have someone lower to ensure it is held steady.

Once you have removed all of the old putty, prepare the window frame to accommodate the new pane. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction, subtract 1/8 inch each from the measurements of the width and height. These measurements can be taken to a home center or hardware store to get an item cut from glass stock to the proper size. Alternatively, you can cut the glass yourself, if you have the appropriate tools.

After putting the new pane in place After installing the new pane, apply a small amount of caulking along the edge to ensure it is weatherproof. Install a glazier's point on both sides of the frame. This will secure the pane. The points shouldn't be too tight that they cause friction between the frame and sash but they shouldn't be loose.

Before applying the putty, work it in a gentle manner until it's soft and free of lumps. Cut it into pencil-sized pieces. Apply the first strip to the corner of the frame, working from one corner to the next to ensure it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

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

After removing the old putty, glazier points as well as any remaining leftovers clean the frame thoroughly with an utility knife. Lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves if needed to smooth rough areas. If you sand wood protect it with painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Note down the exact dimensions of the frame. Take these dimensions to a hardware store or home center and have the new pane cut slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure that the pane fits comfortably and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new window in the frame and press it into the frame using your hand. Then use the point of your chisel or the back end of the putty knife to make a tap on the glazier's facets, as illustrated in Figure 11. After you're done, the points should be flush with the top edge of the pane and the shoulders that are raised of the points should be just below the rabbet's rim groove.

Apply a thin layer glazing compound on the rabbet grooves as well as the edges of new glass. This will seal and protect the edges. Allow it to dry completely and cure.

When the glazing compound is dry and the glazing compound is dry, you can install the new window sash replacement sash. First, coat the wood with a thick coat of linseed oil. This will stop the new putty from sucking up moisture and drying out and cracking over time. Apply this coat with a brush or the tip of your knife, then use the chisel, or the back end of the putty knife to gently hammer the new sash and glazier's point into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.

Putty

A hurled baseball, an errant rock or falling branch could cause a window pane to break or crack. Fortunately, the majority of windows can be replaced by simply putting a brand new piece of glass in its the proper place. The glass is held in place using small clips made of metal called a glazier's point and putty, often called glazing compound. Before installing a new pane, first take out the old one and clean the area with the help of a rag, the pull-type paint scraper or an abrasive wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves when working. If the window is glued to the frame, you'll have to use a heat gun to soften the adhesive prior to taking it off.

If you're planning to install the original sash in the future, take care to remove the molding pieces that are used to secure the old pane. Then, sand the sash to make sure it's flat and replace window pane ready for new caulk. Once the sash is installed, you can apply a silicone caulk to the glass. This will ensure that it doesn't be leaking or fade over time.

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets and the grooves in the sash where the glass sits. If they're hard to chisel out, try holding the hand tool, such as a heat gun over them to soften them up first. When using a heated tool, be sure to avoid damaging the sash's railings and sash.

Once the old glaze points and putty are removed, prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, forming it into a 1/2-inch thick. Place it into the rabbets, where the glass will be placed. It is crucial that the glass sits on the putty on both sides If you have to, lightly tap the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack you can fill it with a solvent-based glass glue or silicone caulk prior to pressing it into the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you will need to use putty to keep the water out. Once the putty is dry clean the oily film from the glass and let it dry completely before painting. If you paint before the putty is completely dry, it won't create an effective seal and could discolor or leak over time.

Paint

If you've experienced a broken window pane, you might be worried about the expense of a new one. The truth is, replacing a single pane of glass doesn't have to be costly when you do it on your own. In fact even windows with double panes can be replaced for only a fraction of the cost of a professional.

First, if you're working on a large-sized window, make sure that it is securely fastened to the frame. This task is relatively easy and quick with the right tools and techniques.

When you're ready to start, begin by removing the old window by prying out the glazing points made of metal that are connected to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles which function as "nails" which hold the window in place in the wood frame. They are buried beneath a layer of glazing putty that transforms into a solid formed wedge that holds the window firmly in place and conceals the window's points.

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 down to bare wood surfaces, so that you can paint the frames the same shade. After the sanding process, apply a coat of flax oil to the bare wood to prolong its life.

Then, you need to measure the size of the window's opening. You will need to measure the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the entire opening, as well as the thickness. To get 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 seasonal changes. You can take these measurements to a hardware store 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 causing fogging.