How to replace Window pane Window Panes

A damaged window pane can be an inconvenience. It can also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows to reap benefits like greater comfort, a higher resale value and reduced utility costs.

This is a project you could take on yourself for only a fraction of the cost of hiring an expert. It requires the right tools and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

Replace your single-paned windows with tempered insulation glass to improve the efficiency of your energy, reduce noise, and protect the historic integrity of your old home. The process of replacing the window pane is easy and can be accomplished by anyone with basic hand tools. You will also need an additional window pane, glazier's tips pliers, and latex glaze putty. If needed you may use a heating gun to warm the old putty. Wear safety goggles and gloves before you begin. Working with broken glass can cause serious injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. This is best done using pliers, though using a flathead screwdriver can also be used in the pinch. Then, use a wood chisel or putty knife remove the rest of the old putty around the frame and the sash. Be careful not to damage the window sash. Work slowly and carefully. It is best to work on a stable ladder rather than the ground and have someone stand below the sash to help hold it in place.

Make sure that the window frame is ready to receive the new pane after you have removed the old putty. Find the width and the height of the opening for the sash by subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). These measurements can be taken to a hardware or home center store to get cut a piece of glass stock to the proper size. Alternatively, 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, put a tiny amount of caulking along the edge to make it weatherproof. Install a glazier's point on both sides of the frame. This will secure the pane. The points should not be tight enough to cause friction between the frame and the sash, but they should also not be loose.

Before applying the putty, knead it thoroughly until it is smooth and free of lumps. Then, roll it into pencil-size strips. The first strip should be placed in the corner of the frame, working from one corner to the other so that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's facets are tiny triangular pieces of steel that allow glass to be secured into a window frame without scratching or damaging the fragile surface. It's simple to learn how to use this nefarious tool, and you'll save money on the expense of an expert installation.

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

Take the dimensions of the frame and note down precise measurements. These measurements can be brought to a home center or hardware store, and the new frame will be cut a bit smaller. This will ensure a tight fit, and allow for expansion and contraction.

Insert the new pane into the frame and press it down with your hands. Make use of the point of the chisel, or the edge of the putty blade to tap in the glazier's points, as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's points should sit aligned with the top edge of your pane and the shoulders should be just below the lip.

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 and cure completely.

When the glazing compound is dry it's time to put in the new window sash. The first step is to coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will stop the new putty drying out or cracking when it absorbs moisture. Apply this coat with a brush or the edge of your putty knife, and then use the chisel or replace window pane the back end of the putty knife to gently press the new sash and glazier's points into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches around the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A baseball that is thrown or replace window pane an unintentional rock, or a falling branch can cause a window pane to break or crack. Most windows can be replaced easily by installing a new piece. The glass is held in place using small clips made of metal called a glazier's point, and putty, which is often called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area with a rag, a pull-type scraper or wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves when working. If the window is secured to the frame, you'll have to use a heat gun to soften the adhesive before taking it off.

If you are planning to reinstall your original sash, you must remove the molding that supports the old pane. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready to receive new caulk. After the sash has been re-installed and sanded, apply a fresh caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure it will not leak or change color 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, you can try holding an instrument like a heat gun over them to soften them before you do. If you're using a heated gun, be careful not to damage the railings of the sash or the sash itself by using the tool too closely.

Once the old glaze points and putty have been removed, prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your hands, and form it into a 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 you need to gently 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 prior to pressing it into the sash. Otherwise, you'll need to putty over the crack to create an airtight seal and keep water out. Once the putty is dry, wipe the oily film off of the glass and let it dry completely before painting. If you paint before the putty is fully dry, it won't form a solid seal and could leak or discolor over time.

Paint

If you've suffered a break in a window pane, you may be worried about the cost of replacing it. The truth is, replacing a single piece of glass doesn't need to be costly if you do it on your own. In fact windows with double panes can be replaced at a fraction of the cost of an expert.

If you are working with large glass windows first ensure it is securely attached to the frame. This task can be made relatively simple and fast with the appropriate tools and techniques.

When you are ready to begin taking down the old window pane. Take out the metal glazing points attached to it. These are tiny metal triangles which act as "nails" that hold the replacement window handle in the frame. They are buried beneath a bead or glazing glue which hardens into solid wedge that holds the frame securely in place and hides the sharp edges.

Once you have the old pane taken away, clean up the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape off any old paint, and sand the rabbet grooves that the glazing points were. Sand them down to clean wood surfaces, so that you can paint the frames with the same color. After sanding, apply a coat of flax oil on the bare wood to prolong its life.

Then, you need to measure the width 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. To determine the exact dimensions of the new pane, subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. Bring these measurements to the hardware or home improvement store and ask them to cut you cut the glass 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.