How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane could cause a lot of trouble. It could be a chance to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones and enjoy benefits such as improved comfort, increased resale values and reduced utility costs.

This is a project you could tackle yourself at less than the cost of hiring a professional. It requires the right tools and only an hour or two of your time.

Glass

If your single pane windows are old, deteriorating or broken replacing them with more modern glass that is tempered or insulated will increase energy efficiency and reduce noise while maintaining the historic integrity of older homes. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can replace window pane the window pane. You will also need an extra window pane, glazier's suggestions, pliers, and latex glaze putty. If you need to, you can use a heating gun to warm the old putty. Before beginning, wear gloves and safety glasses as working with broken glass could cause injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. It is best to use pliers for this however, a flathead may be useful equally. Utilize a wood chisel or putty knife to get rid of any old putty that remains around the frame and the window sash. Be careful and slow making sure not to damage the old window sash. This should be done on a ladder, not on the ground. Also, have someone on the ground to keep it in place.

Make sure the window frame is ready to receive the new pane after you have removed the old putty. Take measurements of the width and height of the opening for the sash and subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and replace window pane contraction). These measurements can be taken to a hardware or home center store to get an item cut from stock glass to the right size. You can cut the glass yourself if you have the appropriate tools.

After installing the new pane after installing the new pane, put a tiny amount of caulking around the edge to make it weatherproof. Then install a glazier's point on the frame's opposite side to secure the pane into its place. The points should not be so tight that they create friction between the sash and frame, but they also shouldn't be too loose.

Before applying the putty, work it in a gentle manner until it's soft and free of lumps. Roll it into pencil-sized strips. Place the first strip in 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 which help to secure the glass to the frame without damaging the delicate surface. It's easy to understand how to use this nefarious tool and you can save money on the cost of an expert installation.

After taking off the old putty, glazier points as well as any remaining remnants Clean the frame thoroughly using an utility knife. If needed you can lightly sand the wood along rabbet grooves to smooth rough spots. If you sand wood, protect it with painter’s tape to protect it from damage caused by accidental sanding.

Note down the dimensions of the frame. These measurements can be brought to the hardware or home center store, and the new pane will be cut to a smaller size. This will ensure a snug fit and will allow room for expansion and contraction.

Place the new window in the frame and push it into place firmly with your hand. Use the chisel's point or the back of the putty knife to tap the glazier's points, as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's point should be flush against the top edge of your pane, and the shoulders should be just below that lip.

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

Install the new window sash once the glazing compound has dried. First, you need to coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will prevent the new putty from taking up moisture and deteriorating and cracking over time. Apply this coat using a brush or the edge of your putty knife, then use the chisel, or the back end from the putty knife to gently press the new sash and glazier's points into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches around the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A baseball hit or a rock thrown in error, or a fallen tree can cause a broken or cracked window. Luckily, most windows can be replaced by simply putting a brand new piece in the right place. The glass is held in place by small clips made of metal called the glazier's pointed and putty, also called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area using the rag, a pull-type scraper or wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves when you work. If the window is glued to the frame, you'll need to make use of a heat gun to soften the adhesive before cutting it loose.

If you are planning to install your original sash, you must remove the molding that supports the old pane. Then you can sand the sash down to ensure it's smooth and ready to be re-caulked. Once the sash is put back in place, you can apply a silicone caulk on the glass. This will ensure that it doesn't leak over time or sash window replacement discolor.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets, the grooves in the sash where the glass sits. If they're difficult to work out, try placing an instrument like a heat gun to soften them first. If you're using a heated gun, be careful not to cause damage to the railings or sash by placing the tool too tightly.

Prepare the bed for your new pane after removing the old glaze and putty. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your hands, shaping it to be around 1/2-inch thick. Then, you can press it into the rabbets where the glass will be. The glass must be positioned against the putty on both sides. If necessary you want to tap your glass lightly into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can cover it with a solvent-based glass glue or silicone caulk before pressing it into the sash. In other cases, you'll need to apply putty over the crack to create a tight seal and keep water out. Once the putty is dry remove the oily film off of the glass and allow it to dry completely before you paint. If you paint before the putty has completely dry, it will not form an effective seal and could discolor or leak over time.

Paint

If you've suffered a break in a window pane, then you may be worried about the expense of replacing it. It's true that replacing a single piece of glass doesn't have to be costly even if you do it your own. In fact even windows with double panes can be replaced for only a fraction of the cost of replacement windows uk of an expert.

First, if you are working on a large-sized window, make sure that it is securely fixed to the frame. This can be made relatively simple and quick with the appropriate tools and techniques.

When you are ready to begin, remove the old window pane. Take out the metal glazing points attached to it. These are tiny triangles of metal that act as "nails" to hold the window in the frame. They are submerged beneath a glaze putty or bead that hardens to solid wedge that holds the wood frame securely in place and hides the points.

After removal of the old pane clean the frame and wood. Scrape off any old paint and sand the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were placed. Sand them to bare wooden surfaces, allowing you to paint the frames the same color. After sanding the wood then apply a layer of flax oil. This will help prolong the life of the frame.

The next step is to measure the dimensions of the window's 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. You can take these measurements to a hardware 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.