How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window handle replacement can be a nuisance. This can be an opportunity to upgrade to energy-efficient windows or insulated ones to enjoy benefits like increased comfort, increased resale values and reduced utility costs.

You can do it yourself at only a fraction of the cost it would cost to hire an expert. You only need the right tools and a few hours of your time.

Glass

Replace your single-paned windows with tempered or insulation glass to improve energy efficiency, reduce noise, and preserve the original character of your old home. The procedure of replacing windows is easy and can be accomplished by homeowners with basic hand tools. You will also need an additional window pane, glazier's tips, pliers, and latex glaze putty. If necessary you may use a heatgun to warm the old putty. Wear safety goggles and gloves before you begin. Working with broken glass could cause serious injuries.

Remove any broken glass pieces that remain. This is best done using a pair of pliers, however, a flathead screwdriver may work in the pinch. Then, use a wooden chisel, or putty knife, to remove the remaining old putty from around the frame and sash. Be careful not to scratch the window sash. Take your time and work slowly. This can be done best on an elevated ladder, not on the ground. Also, you should have someone lower to hold it steady.

Once you have removed all the old putty, you can prepare the window frame for the new pane. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction by subtracting 1/8 inch from the measurements of width and height. Take these measurements to an hardware store or home center and find a piece glass cut to size. You can cut the glass yourself if you possess the right tools.

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

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

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are tiny triangular pieces of steel which help to secure glass into frames for windows without scratching or damaging the fragile surface. Learning how to use these little helpers is easy and can save you money on a professional installation or the cost of purchasing new glass.

After the old putty and the glazier's point are gone, thoroughly clean the frame using a utility knife to eliminate any remaining traces. Lightly sand the frame in the rabbet grooves, if necessary, to smooth out rough areas. If you decide to sand wood, protect it with painter’s tape to prevent accidental damage.

Note 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 slightly smaller. This will ensure that the pane fits snugly and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new window in the frame and push it into the frame using your hand. Utilize the point of the chisel, or the back of the putty knife to smudge the glaziers' points as illustrated in Figure 11. After you're done, the points should be level with the top edge of the pane and the shoulders of the points should be below the rabbet's rim groove.

Apply a small amount of glazing compound on the edges of the new glass and into the rabbet grooves to seal and protect them. Let it dry completely and cure.

Once the glazing compound has dried and the glazing compound is dry, you can install the new window sash. First, you need to coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will prevent the new putty from drying out and cracking as it absorbs moisture. Apply this coat using a brush or the tip of your knife, and then use the chisel or the back end of the knife to gently hammer in the new sash and glazier's point into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown or a rock thrown in error or install a branch falling can cause a broken or cracked window. The majority of windows can be replaced by installing a new piece. The glass is held into the position with a tiny metal clip, referred to as the glazier's point, and putty. This compound is also called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area using a rag, a pull-type scraper, or a wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while working. If the window is glued to the frame, you'll need to employ a heat gun in order to soften the adhesive before cutting it loose.

If you're planning to install your original sash, remove the molding that supports the old pane. Then sand the sash to make sure it's flat and ready to be re-caulked. After the sash has been reinstalled it is possible to apply a silicone caulk to the glass window replacement. This will ensure that it doesn't be leaking or fade over time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets. These are the grooves in the sash where the glass is. If they're hard to chisel, use the hand tool, like a heat gun over them to soften first. When using a heated tool, make sure to not scratch the sash or its railings.

Once the old glazing points and putty are removed, make a bed for the new pane. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, and form it to be 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 needed you want to tap your glass lightly into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked then you can seal it with a solvent-based 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, wipe the oily film off the glass and allow it to dry completely before you paint. If you paint before the putty has completely dry, it won't create a solid seal and could discolor or leak over time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a broken piece of glass. But the truth is that replacing one glass pane does not need to cost a fortune If you can do it yourself. 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 attached to the frame. This task can be done relatively easy and fast with the appropriate 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 tiny triangles of metal which act as "nails" to hold the window in place. They are buried beneath a glaze putty or bead that hardens to an unbreakable wedge that holds the frame firmly in position and hides the sharp edges.

After removal of the old pane clean the frame and wood. Scrape away any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves, where the glazing points were. Sand them down to clean wooden surfaces, allowing you to paint the frames with the same shade. After sanding, apply a layer of flax oil to the wood's surface to prolong its life.

Then, you need to measure the size of the window's opening. You will need to take vertical and horizontal measurements of the entire opening, and also 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.