How to replace Window Pane Window Panes

A damaged window pane can be an inconvenience. This could be an opportunity to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones, and reap advantages like improved comfort, increased resale value and reduced utility bills.

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

Glass

If your single pane windows are old broken, deteriorating or damaged replacing them with modern glass that is tempered or insulated can improve energy efficiency and reduce noise while also preserving the original character of older homes. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can repair the window pane. In addition to a new pane, the following tools are needed such as latex glazing putty; glazier's points; pliers; and a heat gun for warming the old putty, if needed. Before starting, put on protective gloves and goggles since working with broken glass may cause injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. This is best done using the help of pliers but flathead screwdrivers can work in the pinch. Utilize a wood chisel or putty knives, to take away any old putty remaining around the frame and window sash. Work slowly and carefully and be careful not to break the existing window sash. This is best done on a ladder, not the ground. Also, you should have someone on the ground to keep it in place.

Make sure that the window frame is ready to receive the new pane when 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. These measurements can be taken to an hardware or home centers store to have cut a piece of glass stock to the proper size. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself if have the right tools.

After installing the glass, apply caulking to the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Install a glazier’s point on both sides of the frame. This will secure the pane. The points should not be too tight that they cause friction between the frame and the sash however they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty, make sure to knead it until it is smooth and free of lumps. Roll it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be placed in the corner of the frame, working from one corner to the next to ensure it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are tiny triangular pieces of metal that allow glass to be secured to the frame without damaging the delicate surface. It's easy to learn how to use this secret tool and you can save money on the expense of an expert installation.

After the old putty and the glazier's point are gone and the frame is thoroughly cleaned using a utility knife to eliminate any remaining residue. If needed it is necessary to lightly sand the wood along the grooves of the rabbets to smooth out rough spots. If you do sand your wood, ensure you protect it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

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

Place the new pane in the frame and press it down with your hands. Utilize the chisel's point, replace window pane or the edge of the putty blade to smudge the glaziers' points as illustrated in Figure 11. When you're done taping, they should be level with the top edge of the pane. the shoulders of the points should be just below the lip of the rabbet groove.

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

Install the new window sash when the glazing compound has dried. First, coat the wood with a thick coat of Linseed oil. This will prevent the new putty drying out or cracking when it absorbs moisture. Apply the coat using a brush or the edge of your putty knife, and then use the chisel or the back end from the putty knife to gently press the new sash and glazier's tips into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process every 10 inches around the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A hurled baseball, an errant rock or a fallen branch can cause a window pane to break or crack. Most windows can be replaced easily by installing a new piece. The glass is held in place by a small metal clip, also known as the glazier's point, and putty. This compound is also called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area using the rag, a scraper that is a pull type or a wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves while working. If the window is secured to the frame, you'll have to use a heat gun to soften the adhesive prior to cutting it loose.

If you plan to reinstall the original sash, gently remove any pieces of molding that are used to secure the old pane. Sand the sash until it is flat and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is installed and sanded, apply a fresh silicone caulk to the glass to ensure that it will not leak or change color as time passes.

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets and the grooves in the sash, where the glass is. If they're difficult to cut out, try placing a hand tool like a heat gun over them to soften them up first. If you're using a heated gun, be careful not to scratch the sash or its railings by using the tool too closely.

Once the old points of glazing and putty have been removed prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope made of glazing compound between your fingers, and make it about 1/2 inch thick. Place it into the rabbets, where the glass will be placed. The glass should rest against the putty on both sides. If necessary gently tap your glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack then you can seal 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 a tight seal and keep water out. After the putty has dried and the film is oily, wipe it off the glass with the help of a rag. Allow it to dry completely before painting. Paint after the putty is completely dry. It won't form a good seal and may be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a broken pane of glass. However, replacing one glass pane does not require a huge amount of money If you can do it yourself. Even a double-paned window could be replaced for a fraction of the price it costs a professional.

If you are working with a large glass window seal replacement first, ensure that it is securely fixed to the frame. This can be made relatively simple and fast with the appropriate tools and techniques.

When you are ready to begin with the removal of the window pane. Pry out the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. These are essentially small metal triangles that act as "nails" that keep the window in in the wood frame. They are buried under a bead of glazing putty, which hardens into a solid, formed wedge that holds the window firmly in place and hides the points.

After removal of the old pane clean the frame and the wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used, and sand the rabbet grooves that the glazing points were. These should be sanded down to the point of being bare, so that you can paint them the same shade as the rest of the frame. After sanding, apply a layer of flax oil on the wood's surface to help extend its lifespan.

Next, measure the dimensions of the window opening. You'll need to determine the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the entire opening as well as the thickness. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure that you get a precise size for the new pane. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass in times of seasonal changes. 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.