How to Replace Window Panes

A cracked window pane is an issue. This could be an opportunity to upgrade to energy-efficient windows or insulated ones, and reap benefits like increased comfort, higher resale value and reduced utility bills.

It's a task you can do yourself for a fraction of the cost of hiring a professional. It requires the right tools and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

replace Window Pane your old single-paned windows using tempered or insulated glass to increase the efficiency of your energy, reduce noise, and maintain the historical integrity of your home's older. Most homeowners with basic hand tools can repair the window pane. You will also require an extra window pane, glazier's tips, pliers, and latex glaze putty. If you need to you can use a heatgun to warm the old putty. Before starting, put on gloves and safety goggles as working with broken glass could cause injuries.

Remove any broken glass pieces remaining. It is recommended to use pliers however, a flathead may be useful equally. Then, use a wood chisel or putty knife to remove the remaining old putty around the frame and the sash. Work slowly and carefully and be careful not to break the existing window sash. It is a good idea to work on a stable ladder rather than on the ground, and to place someone on the sash to help keep it in place.

Make sure the window frame is ready to accommodate the new pane once you have removed the old glue. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction and contraction, subtract 1/8 inch from the measurements of width and height. Take these measurements to a hardware store or home center and have a piece of stock glass cut to size. You can also cut the glass yourself, if you have the right tools.

After installing the glass, apply caulking to the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then, you can install a glazier's pointing on each side of the frame to secure the pane in its place. The points should not be so tight that they cause friction between the sash and the frame however they should not be too loose.

Before applying the putty to the surface, you must knead it thoroughly until it is soft and free from lumps. Roll it into pencil-sized strips. Place the first strip to the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to the other so that it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are the small triangular pieces that allow glass to be secured into frames for windows without damaging or scratching the delicate surface. It's simple to learn how to use this secret tool and you can save money on the cost of an installation by a professional.

After taking off the old putty, glazier points as well as any remaining remnants clean the frame thoroughly using an utility knife. Lightly sand the frame in the rabbet grooves if needed to smooth out rough areas. If you decide to sand the wood, be sure to protect it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

Take measurements of the empty frame and note down precise measurements. Take these measurements to a hardware store or home center and have the new pane cut slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a secure fit and will allow room for expansion and contraction.

Insert the new pane into the frame and push it in using your hands. Then use the point of your chisel, or the back end of the putty knife to make a tap on the glazier's points as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's points should sit flush against the top edge of your pane, and the shoulders should be just below that lip.

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

Install the new window sash once the glazing compound has dried. First, you need to coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will stop the new putty from drying out or cracking due to the moisture it absorbs. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or the tip of the blade. Then, use the chisel that is on the back of the putty tool or the back of the putty handle to gently hammer the new sash or glazier's tip into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process every 10 inches around the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A baseball hit or a rock thrown in error or a branch falling can result in a cracked or cracked window. Most windows can be replaced easily by putting in a new piece. The glass is held in place by small clips made of metal called a glazier's point and putty, also called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area with the rag, a pull-type scraper or wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while you do this work. You'll need a heating gun in the event that the window is glued into the frame.

If you're planning to replace window handles the original sash, take off the molding that holds the old pane. Sand the sash until it is flat and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is put back in place then, you can apply a silicone caulk to the glass. This will ensure that it doesn't get soiled or discolor over time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets. These are the grooves in the sash where the glass is located. If they're difficult to work out, try placing the hand tool, such as a heat gun over them to soften them up first. When using a heating tool, be careful to not scratch the sash's railings and sash.

Once the old points of glazing and putty have been removed make a bed for the new pane. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, shaping it into a 1/2-inch thick. Then, you can press it into the rabbets where the glass will rest. It is essential that the glass is positioned against the putty on each side If you have to, lightly tap the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack then you can seal it with a solvent-based glass glue or silicone caulk prior to pressing it into the sash. In other cases, you'll need to apply putty on the crack to form a tight seal and keep water out. After the putty is dry, clean the oily film off the glass with the help of a rag. Allow it to dry completely prior to painting. Paint after the putty has completely dried. It won't create a solid seal and may leak or discolor with time.

Paint

If you've experienced a broken window pane, you might be concerned about the expense of a new one. The truth is, replacing a single piece of glass doesn't need to be expensive even if you do it your own. Even double-paned windows can be replaced at a fraction of the cost it will cost an expert.

If you're working with large glass windows first ensure it is securely fixed to the frame. This is relatively easy and fast using the appropriate tools and techniques.

When you are ready to start with the removal of the window pane. Take out the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles that function as "nails" that keep the window in place in the wood frame. They are placed under a bead of glazing putty, which transforms into a solid formed wedge that holds the window firmly in place and hides the points.

After removing the old pane, clean the frame and the wood. Scrape away any old paint and sand Replace Window Pane down the rabbet grooves, where the glazing points were. Sand them down to clean wooden surfaces so you can paint the frames with the same color. After sanding, apply a layer of flax oil to the bare wood to help extend its lifespan.

Then, you need to measure the size of the window opening. It is necessary to take horizontal and vertical measurements of the entire opening, and also the thickness of the old pane. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure that you have the exact size for the new pane. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. Bring these measurements to the hardware or home improvement store and have 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.