How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane could cause a lot of trouble. It could be a chance to upgrade to energy-efficient windows or insulated ones and enjoy benefits like increased comfort, higher resale value and reduced utility bills.

You can do it yourself for a a fraction of what it would cost to hire an expert. You'll only require the right tools and a few minutes of your time.

Glass

Replace your single-paned windows using tempered or insulated glass to increase energy efficiency, reduce noise, and maintain the historical integrity of your older home. The majority of 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 necessary, you can use a heating gun to warm the old putty. Before beginning, wear gloves and safety glasses as working with broken glass can cause injuries.

Take away any broken glass pieces remaining. This is best accomplished with a pair of pliers, though using flathead screwdrivers can be used in a pinch. Make use of a wood chisel or putty knives, to take away any old putty that remains around the frame and the window sash. Be careful to not scratch the window sash. Take your time and work slowly. It is a good idea to do this on a stable ladder instead of the ground and to place someone on the sash to help keep it in place.

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

After putting in the new pane after installing the new pane, put a tiny amount of caulking around the edges to make it weatherproof. Then install a glazier's point on the frame's opposite side to secure the pane in the right place. The points shouldn't be so tight that they create friction between the frame and the sash, but they should also not be loose.

Before applying the putty to the surface, you must knead it thoroughly until it becomes soft and free from lumps. Then, roll it into pencil-size strips. The first strip should be glued to the corner of the frame. Work from one corner to another and ensure that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular pieces that help secure glass into the frame of a window 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 cost of an expert installation.

After the old putty and the glazier's point are gone Clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife to remove any remaining traces. Lightly sand the frame in the rabbet grooves 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.

Note down the exact dimensions of the frame. These dimensions can be taken to a home center or hardware store and the new pane will be cut to a smaller size. This will ensure that the pane fits perfectly and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and push it into place firmly by using your hands. Make use of the chisel's point, or Double Glazed Windows Replacement the edge of the putty blade to tap in the glaziers' points as shown in Figure 11. When you're done, they should be in line with the top edge of the pane and the shoulders that are raised of the points should be below the rabbet's rim groove.

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

Install the new window sash once the glazing compound has dried. First, saturate the wood with a thick coat of Linseed oil. This will keep the new putty from taking in the moisture and deteriorating and cracking with time. Apply the coat using a brush or the tip of your putty knife, then use the chisel, or the back end of the putty knife to gently press the new sash and glazier's point into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.

Putty

A baseball hit, a rock thrown in error or a branch falling can cause a broken or cracked window. Luckily, most windows can be replaced by simply putting a brand new piece in the proper place. The glass is held in place by a small metal clip, referred to as the glazier's point, and putty. This compound is also known as glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area using the rag, a pull-type scraper or wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves while working. You'll require a heat gun when the window is fixed into the frame.

If you're planning to install the original sash, take off the mold that holds the old pane. Then, sand the sash to make sure it's flat and ready to be re-caulked. After the sash has been re-installed, apply a new silicone caulk around the glass to ensure that it won't leak or discolor as time passes.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets. These are the grooves in the sash, which is where the glass is. If they are hard to cut, place the hand tool, such as a heatgun over them to soften first. When using a heating tool, make sure to not damage the sash and its railings.

Make a bed for your new pane by removing the old putty and glazing points. Roll a rope with glazing compound between your fingers, and then make it about 1/2 inch thick. Place it into the rabbets, where the glass will be put. The glass must be positioned 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 fill it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk prior pressing it into the sash. If not, you'll have to putty over the crack to form an impervious seal to keep water out. When the putty dries and the film is oily, wipe it off the glass with a rag and allow it to dry completely prior to painting. If you paint before the putty is fully dry, it won't form a strong seal and may be leaking or discoloring in time.

Paint

If you've had a broken window pane, you might be worried about the cost of replacing it. In reality, replacing a single pane glass doesn't have to be costly if you do it on your own. Even double glazed windows replacement (redirect to Heungil)-paned windows can be replaced for a fraction of the price it will cost for a professional.

If you are working on a large-sized window, make sure it is securely attached to the frame. This task can be made relatively simple and fast with the right tools and techniques.

When you are ready to begin, remove the old window pane. Take out the metal glazing points attached to it. These are small metal triangles that function as "nails" to hold the window replacement in the frame. They are submerged beneath a layer of glazing putty, which is then cured to form a solid, formed wedge that holds the window replacement companies firmly in place and conceals the edges.

After removing the old pane, clean the frame and the wood. Scrape off any old paint, and sand the rabbet grooves in which the glazing points were. Sand them to bare wooden surfaces so you can paint the frames with the same shade. After the sanding process, apply a coat of flax oil to the wood that is not sanded down to extend the life of the frame.

Next, measure the dimensions of the window opening. You'll need to take horizontal and vertical measurements of the entire opening as well as the thickness of the old pane. To determine the exact dimensions 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 changes. Take these dimensions 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.