How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window replacement cost can cause a lot of trouble. This can be an opportunity to upgrade to energy-efficient windows or insulated ones, and reap advantages like improved comfort, increased resale values and reduced utility bills.

You can do it yourself at less than what it would cost to employ an expert. It requires the right equipment and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

If your single-pane windows are outdated, deteriorating or broken replacing them with modern insulated or tempered glass can increase energy efficiency and decrease noise while also preserving the original character of older homes. The process of replacing windows is simple and can be done by anyone with basic hand tools. In addition to a new pane, the following components are needed: latex glazing putty; pliers, glazier's points and a heat gun for warming the old putty, if necessary. Before beginning, wear gloves and safety glasses as working with broken glass may cause injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. It is recommended to use pliers for this, but a flathead can be used as well. Utilize a wood chisel or putty knives to remove any remaining old putty around the frame and the window sash. Be careful not to scratch the window sash. Take your time and work slowly. It is best to work on a sturdy ladder rather than the ground and near by to place someone on the sash to help keep it steady.

Make sure the window frame is ready to accommodate the new pane after you have removed the old putty. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction and contraction, subtract 1/8 inch from the measurements of width and height. These measurements can be taken to a home center or hardware store to have a piece cut of glass that is in stock to the correct size. You can cut the glass yourself if you possess the appropriate tools.

After installing the new glass Apply some caulking around the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Install a glazier's point on both sides of the frame. This will help secure the pane. The points should not be so tight as to cause friction between the sash and the frame however they should not be too loose.

Before applying the putty knead it thoroughly until it is soft and free of lumps. Cut it into pencil-sized pieces. Apply the first strip to the frame's corner. Work from one corner to the next and ensure that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier’s points are small triangular pieces of steel that help secure the glass to the frame without causing any damage to the fragile surface. Knowing how to use these hidden tiny pieces of help is simple and could 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 residue Clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife. If needed it is necessary to lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves to smooth rough spots. If you sand wood protect it with painter’s tape to protect it from damage caused near by accidental sanding.

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

Place the new pane in the frame and press it down using your hands. Then use the point of your chisel or near by the back end of the putty knife to pierce the glazier's points as shown in Figure 11. The glazier's points should sit flush against the top edge of your pane and the shoulders raised should be just below that lip.

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

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 stop the new putty from sucking up the moisture and deteriorating and cracking over time. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or the point of the putty blade. Then, use the chisel on the back of the tool or the back of the putty handle to gently smash the new sash or glazier's point into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process every 10 inches around the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A hurled baseball or a rock that is errant or a falling branch can cause a window to break or crack. The majority of windows can be repaired easily by installing a new piece. The glass is held in place by a small metal clip called the glazier's pointed and putty, also called glazing compound. Before installing a replacement sash windows pane, first get rid of the old one and clean the area using a rag and a pull-type paint scraper or a wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves while working. You'll need a heating gun if the window is glued to the frame.

If you're planning to install the original sash, take off the molding that supports the old pane. Then sand the sash to ensure it's level and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is installed and sanded, apply a fresh silicone caulk to the glass to ensure it doesn't swell or fade as time passes.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets, or the grooves in the sash, where the glass sits. If they are hard to chisel, hold an instrument such as a heating gun over them for a few minutes to soften them. 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.

Make a bed for your new pane after you have removed the old glaze points and putty. Roll a rope with glazing compound between your fingers, and make it about 1/2 inch thick. Then, press it into the rabbets, where the glass will sit. It is crucial that the glass sits on the putty in all places on each side So if you have to do so, gently tap the 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. In other cases, you'll need to putty over the crack to form an airtight seal and keep water out. Once the putty is dry remove the oily film from the glass and allow it to dry completely before you paint. If you paint before the putty is completely dry, it won't form an effective seal and could be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a broken piece of glass. The truth is, replacing a single piece of glass doesn't need to be costly even if you do it your own. In fact windows with double panes can be replaced at only a fraction of the cost of a professional.

First, if you're working on a large window, make sure it is securely attached to the frame. This can be made relatively simple and fast using the appropriate tools and techniques.

When you are ready to begin, remove the old window pane. Remove the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. These are tiny metal triangles which act as "nails" to hold the window within the frame. They are submerged under a bead of glazing putty, which hardens into a solid, formed wedge that holds the window firmly in place and conceals the window's points.

After you have the old pane taken away, clean up the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape off any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were. Sand them down to bare wooden surfaces, allowing you to paint the frames the same shade. After sanding the wood you can apply a layer flax oil. This will help to prolong the life of the frame.

Then, you need to measure the width of the window opening. You will need to take vertical and horizontal measurements of the entire opening as well as the thickness of the old pane. To get 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 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.