How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window is an inconvenience. It could be a chance to upgrade to energy-efficient windows or insulated ones and enjoy benefits like increased comfort, increased resale values and lower utility costs.

It's a project you can take on yourself for less than the cost of hiring a professional. You'll need only the right tools and a few minutes of your time.

Glass

Replace your old single-paned windows with tempered insulate glass to improve energy efficiency, reduce noise, and preserve the historical integrity of your older home. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can repair a window pane. In addition to a replacement window handle windows (i was reading this) pane, the following tools are needed such as latex glazing putty; glazier's points; pliers; and an electric heater to warm the old putty, if necessary. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to beginning. Working with broken glass could cause serious injuries.

Take away any broken glass pieces that remain. It is best to use pliers for this however, a flathead may work equally. Use a wood chisel, or putty knives, to take away any old putty remaining around the frame and the window sash. Be careful and slow and be careful not to damage the old window sash. It is recommended to work using a sturdy ladder rather than the ground and to have someone standing below the sash to help hold it in place.

After you've removed all the old putty, you can prepare the window frame to fit the new pane. Measure the width and height of the opening for the sash and subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). These measurements can be taken to a home center or hardware store to have cut a piece of stock glass to the right size. You can also cut the glass yourself, if you have the right tools.

After putting in the new pane, run a small bead of caulking around the edges to seal it against weather. 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 cause friction between the frame and the sash However, they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty to the surface, replacement windows you must knead it thoroughly until it is soft and free from lumps. Then, replacement windows roll it into pencil-size strips. Apply the first strip to the corner of the frame, working from one corner to the next so that it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are tiny triangular metal pieces that allow glass to be secured to the frame without damaging the delicate surface. It's simple to learn how to use this nefarious tool, and you'll save money on the expense of a professional installation.

After the old putty as well as the glazier's points have been removed, thoroughly clean the frame with a utility knife to get rid of any remaining residue. Lightly sand the frame in the rabbet grooves, if necessary, to smooth rough areas. If you do sand your wood, ensure you protect it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

Write down the exact dimensions of the frame. These measurements can be brought to an hardware or home centers store, and the new pane will be cut to a smaller size. This will ensure that the pane fits snugly and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and push it in using your hands. Utilize the point of the chisel or the edge of the putty blade to tap in the glazier's points as shown in Figure 11. The glazier's point should be flush against the top edge of the pane and the raised shoulders should be just beneath that lip.

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

Install the new window sash once the glazing compound has dried. First, coat the wood with a thick coat of linseed oil. This will stop the new putty from drying out and cracking as it absorbs moisture. Apply this coat using a brush or the tip of your putty knife, then use the chisel, or the back end from the putty knife to gently hammer in the new sash and glazier's tips into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown at you or an unintentional rock, or a falling branch can cause a window to break or crack. The majority of windows can be repaired easily by putting in a new piece. The glass is held into place by a small metal clip, referred to as a glazier’s point and putty. This compound is also referred to as glazing compound. Before installing a new pane, first remove the old one and clean up the area with an abrasive and a pull-type paint scraper or an abrasive wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while you do this work. If the window is secured to the frame, you'll need use a heat gun to soften the adhesive before cutting it loose.

If you are planning to replace the original sash, remove any pieces of molding that hold the old pane in place. Then you can sand the sash down to make sure it's flat and ready for new caulk. After the sash has been re-installed, apply a new silicone caulk to the glass to ensure that it won't leak or discolor in time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets and the grooves in the sash that the glass is. If they are hard to chisel, use an instrument such as a heatgun over them for a few minutes to soften them. When using a heated tool, make sure to not scratch the sash and its railings.

After the old glazing points and putty have been removed, prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, forming it to be about 1/2-inch thick. Place it into the rabbets where the glass will be placed. The glass must rest against the putty on both sides. If necessary you want to tap your glass lightly 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 pressing it into the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you will need to use putty to keep water out. Once the putty is dry clean the oily film from the glass and let it dry completely before painting. Paint after the putty is completely dry. It won't form a good seal and may be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a broken pane of glass. But the truth is that replacing a single glass pane doesn't have to break the bank if you do it yourself. Even a double-paned window could be replaced at a fraction of the cost it costs for a professional.

If you are working with a large glass window first, ensure that it is securely attached to the frame. This can be done relatively easy and fast using the proper tools and techniques.

When you're ready to start with the removal of the old window pane by removing the glazing points made of metal that are connected to it. These are essentially small metal triangles that act as "nails" which hold the window in in the wood frame. They are placed under a bead of glazing putty, which is then cured to form a solid, molded wedge that holds the window firmly in place and conceals the points.

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 in which the glazing points were. These should be sanded to bare wood to allow you to paint them the same color as the rest of the frame. After sanding, apply a coat of flax oil to the bare wood to prolong its life.

Next, measure the size of the window opening. You'll need to determine the vertical and horizontal 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 bring 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.