How to Replace window Pane Window Panes

A damaged window pane can be an issue. This could be an opportunity to upgrade to energy-efficient windows or insulated ones, and reap benefits like increased comfort, increased resale values and reduced utility costs.

It's a task you can do yourself for a fraction of 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 broken, deteriorating or damaged, replacing them with newer insulated or tempered glass can improve energy efficiency and reduce noise while also preserving the historical integrity of older homes. Most homeowners with basic hand tools can replace windows with ease. You will also need a replacement window pane, glazier's suggestions, pliers, and latex glaze putty. If necessary, you can make use of a heat gun to warm the old putty. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to beginning. Working with broken glass could result in serious injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. It is recommended to use pliers for this, but a flathead can be useful as well. Then, use a wooden chisel or putty knife to remove the remaining old putty from around the frame and sash. Be careful to not scratch the window sash. Take your time and work slowly. This should be done on a ladder, not on the ground. Also, ensure that someone lower to keep it in place.

Once you've removed all the old putty, it is time to prepare the window frame to accommodate the new pane. Measure the width and height of the opening in the sash, subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). Take these measurements to an hardware store or home center, and get a piece of stock glass cut to size. You can cut the glass yourself if you possess the right tools.

After installing the new glass Apply some caulking around the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Install a glazier's pointing on both sides of the frame. This will ensure the pane. The points should not be tight enough to create friction between the frame and sash however they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty to the surface, gently knead it until it is soft and free from lumps. Then make it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be glued to the frame's corner. Work from one corner to another and ensure that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's facets are small triangular pieces of metal that allow glass to be secured into a window frame without damaging or scratching the delicate surface. It's easy to understand how to use this hidden tool, and you'll be able to save money on the expense of an expert installation.

After getting rid of the old putty glazier points, and any other leftovers, clean the frame thoroughly with an utility knife. Lightly sand the frame in the rabbet grooves if needed to smooth rough areas. If you decide to sand wood, cover it with painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Take measurements of the empty frame and write down accurate measurements. These measurements can be taken to a home center or hardware store, and the new pane will be cut slightly smaller. This will ensure that the pane fits perfectly and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and push it in with your hands. Then, you can use the point of your chisel or the back of the putty knife to pierce the glazier's points, as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's point should be in line with the top edge of the pane and the raised shoulders should be just below the lip.

Apply a thin layer of glazing compound to the rabbet grooves and edges of the glass. This will seal and protect the edges. Let it dry and cure completely.

Once the glazing compound has dried it's time to put in the new window sash. First, coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will prevent the new putty from drying out or cracking due to the moisture it absorbs. Apply the 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 tips into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball that is thrown or an unintentional rock, or falling branch could cause a window pane to break or crack. Fortunately, windows can be repaired by simply putting a brand new piece in place. The glass is held in place using a small metal clip called a glazier's point, and putty, often called glazing compound. Before installing a new pane, first get rid of the old one and clean up the area using a rag and an abrasive scraper that is a pull type or an abrasive wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves when you work. You'll need a heating gun when the window is fixed to the frame.

If you are planning to reinstall the original sash, take off the molding that supports the old pane. Then, sand the sash to ensure it's level and ready to be re-caulked. After the sash has been put back in place, you can apply a silicone caulk on the glass. This will ensure that it doesn't get soiled or discolor over time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets, or the grooves in the sash where the glass sits. If they're difficult to chisel, hold the hand tool, such as a heating gun over them for a few minutes to soften them. When using a heat tool, be sure to avoid damaging the sash's railings and sash window replacement.

After the old points of glazing and putty have been removed prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope with glazing compound between your fingers, and make it about 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 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 glass glue or silicone caulk prior to pressing it into the sash. If not, you'll have to 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. Paint after the putty has dried completely. It won't create a solid seal and could discolor or leak over time.

Paint

If you've suffered a break in a window pane, you may be concerned about the expense of a new one. But the truth is that replacing one glass pane does not require a huge amount of money when you do it yourself. In fact, even a double-pane window can be replaced for less than the cost of a professional.

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

When you are ready to start with the removal of the window pane. Pry out the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. These are small metal triangles that function as "nails" to hold the window within the frame. They are buried beneath a bead or glazing putty that hardens to a solid wedge that holds the frame in place and hides the points.

After removal of the old pane clean the frame and the wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used, and sand the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were. These should be sanded to the point of being bare, so that you can paint them the same shade as the rest of the frame. After the sanding process, apply a coat of flax oil to the bare wood to extend the life of the frame.

Then, you need to measure the size of the window 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 in times of seasonal change. Take these dimensions to the hardware or home improvement store and have the glass cut for you.

Now, Replace Window Pane 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, replace Window pane 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.