How to Replace Window Panes

A cracked window pane can cause a lot of trouble. It could also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows and benefit from greater comfort, a higher potential for resales, and less bills.

This is a project you could tackle yourself at less than the cost of hiring an expert. You only need the appropriate tools and a few minutes of your time.

Glass

If your single-pane windows are old damaged, cracked or deteriorating, replacing them with newer insulated or tempered glass can increase energy efficiency and decrease noise while also preserving the original character of older homes. The majority of homeowners with basic hand tools can replace window pane a window pane. You will also need a replacement window pane, glazier's tips pliers, and latex glazing putty. If necessary, you can use a heatgun to warm the old putty. Before starting, put on gloves and safety goggles as working with broken glass can cause injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. It is recommended to use pliers however a flathead could be used equally. Then, use a wood chisel or putty knife remove the remaining old putty from the frame and sash. Take your time and work slowly making sure not to damage the old window sash. It is recommended to do this on a sturdy ladder rather than on the ground and to have someone standing below the sash in order to help hold it in place.

After you have removed all the old putty, it is time to prepare the window frame to fit the new pane. Measure the width and height of the opening for the sash and subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). These measurements can be sent to a hardware or home center store to have an item cut from glass that is in stock to the correct size. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself, if you have the tools you need.

After putting in the new pane, run a small bead of caulking around the edges to ensure it is weatherproof. Then, place a glazier's tip on each side of the frame to secure the pane into place. The points should not be so tight that they create friction between the frame and the sash However, they should not be loose.

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

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular pieces of metal which help to secure the glass into the window frame without causing any damage to the fragile surface. Knowing how to use these little helpers is easy and could save you money on a professional installation or the cost of purchasing new glass.

After removing the old putty, glazier points as well as any remaining leftovers clean the frame thoroughly with an utility knife. If needed it is necessary to lightly sand the wood in the grooves of the rabbet to smooth out rough areas. If you sand wood protect it with painter’s tape to avoid accidental damage.

Write down the dimensions of the frame. Bring these measurements to an hardware store or home center and request that the new pane cut slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure that the pane fits snugly and allows for expansion and contraction.

Insert the new pane into the frame and press it down with your hands. Utilize the chisel's point, or the back of the putty blade to smudge the glazier's points, as shown in Figure 11. The glazier's point should be in line with the top edge of your pane, and the shoulders raised should be just below the lip.

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

When the glazing compound is dry and the glazing compound is dry, you can install the new window sash. First, saturate the wood with a thick coat of Linseed oil. This will keep the new putty from taking in the moisture and drying out and cracking with time. Apply the coat using a brush or the tip of your 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 every 10 inches around the frame's perimeter.

Putty

A hurled baseball, an errant rock or a falling branch can cause a window to crack or break. The majority of windows can be replaced easily by putting in a new piece. The glass is held into place by a small metal clip, called a glazier's point and putty. This compound is also referred to as glazing compound. Before installing a new pane, first remove the old one and clean up the area using a rag and the pull-type paint scraper or a wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves while working. If the window seal replacement is secured to the frame, you'll need use a heat gun to soften the adhesive prior to cutting it loose.

If you are planning to replace the original sash in the future, take care to remove the molding pieces that secure the old pane. Sand the sash until it is flat and ready to receive new caulk. After the sash has been reinstalled, you can apply a silicone caulk on the glass. This will ensure that it won't leak over time or discolor.

Take out the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash, which is where the glass is. If they're difficult to work out, try placing an instrument like a heat gun over them to soften them up first. If you're using a heated gun, make sure not to scratch the sash or its railings by placing the tool too closely.

After the old glazing points and putty have been removed, make a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope with glazing compound between your fingers and Replace Window Pane make it about 1/2 inch thick. Place it into the rabbets where the glass will be placed. It is crucial that the glass rests against the putty on both sides, so if you need to do so, gently tap the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can use a silicone caulk or a glass glue that is based on solvents to seal the crack before pressing it into the sash. Otherwise, you'll need to putty over the crack to create an airtight seal and keep water out. After the putty has dried, clean the oily film off the glass using the help of a rag. Allow it to dry completely prior to painting. If you paint before the putty is completely dry, it will not form a strong seal and may leak or discolor over time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a damaged piece of glass. But the truth is that replacing one glass pane does not have to break the bank when you do it yourself. Even a double glazed windows replacement-paned window could be replaced for a fraction of the price it will cost an expert.

If you are working with a large glass window, first make sure it is securely attached to the frame. With the right tools and techniques to make this task relatively easy and speedy.

When you are ready to begin taking down 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" that hold the window within the frame. They are placed under a bead or glazing glue that sets to form solid wedge that holds the frame securely in place and conceals the edges.

After removal of the old pane clean the frame and the wood. Scrape away any paint and replace window pane sand down the rabbet grooves, where the glazing points were. Sand them down to clean wood surfaces, so that you can paint the frames the same shade. After sanding, apply a coat of flax oil to the wood that is not sanded down to help extend its lifespan.

The next step is to determine the size of the window opening. You'll 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 bring these measurements to a hardware store 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.