How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane could be a source of frustration. It can also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows to benefit from greater comfort, a higher the value of resales and lower utility bills.

You can do it yourself for fit a less than what it would cost to employ an expert. You'll only require the proper tools and a few hours of your time.

Glass

Replace your old single-paned windows with tempered insulation glass to improve the efficiency of your energy, reduce noise, and protect the original character of your old home. Most homeowners with basic hand tools can repair windows with ease. You'll also require an extra window pane, glazier's tips, cadplm.co.kr pliers, and latex glazing putty. If you need to, you can make use of a heat gun to warm the old putty. Wear safety goggles and gloves before you begin. Working with broken glass could result in serious injuries.

Remove any broken glass pieces remaining. This is best done using a pair of pliers, however, a flathead screwdriver may be used in the pinch. Use a wood chisel, or putty knives to remove any old putty remaining around the frame and the window sash. Work slowly and carefully and be careful not to break the existing window sash. It is a good idea to do this on a stable ladder rather than on the ground and to place someone on the sash to help hold it steady.

After you have removed all the old putty, it is time to prepare the window frame for the new pane. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction, subtract 1/8 inch each from the measurements of width and height. These measurements can be taken to a home center or hardware store to get cut a piece of glass stock to the proper size. You can also cut the glass by yourself if you have the appropriate tools.

After putting the new pane in place, run a small bead of caulking around the edges to seal it against weather. Install a glazier’s point on both sides of the frame. This will secure the pane. The points should not be tight enough to create friction between the frame and sash however they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty, work it in a gentle manner until it is smooth and free of lumps. Then make it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip to the frame's corner. Work from corner to corner, making sure it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are tiny triangular pieces of steel that allow glass to be secured to the frame without causing any damage to the fragile surface. Knowing how to use these hidden tiny pieces of help is simple and could save you money on professional installation or the cost of new glass.

After the old putty as well as glazier's points are removed, thoroughly clean the frame with a knife to eliminate any remaining traces. Lightly sand the frame in the rabbet grooves to smooth out rough areas. If you decide to sand wood, cover it with painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Write down the exact dimensions of the frame. Take these dimensions to a hardware store or a home center and have the new pane made slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure that the pane fits comfortably and allows for expansion and contraction.

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

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

Install the new window sash after the glazing compound has dried. First, coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will stop the new putty from sucking up the moisture and drying out and cracking with time. 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 hammer the new sash and glazier's point into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown at you or an unintentional rock, or a falling branch can cause a window to break or crack. Most windows can be replaced easily by putting in a new piece. The glass is held in place by tiny metal clips known as the glazier's pointed and putty, also called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area with a rag, a scraper that is a pull type or king.az a wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while you do this work. You'll need a heating gun when the window is fixed into the frame.

If you plan to reinstall the original sash, remove the molding pieces that are used to secure the old pane. Then, sand the sash to ensure it's level and ready for a new caulk. Once the sash is installed and sanded, apply a fresh silicone caulk to the glass to ensure that it doesn't swell or fade over time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets, or the grooves in the sash that the glass sits. If they're difficult to chisel, hold the hand tool, such as a heatgun over them for a few minutes to soften them. If you're using a heated gun, make sure not to cause damage to the sash or its railings by using the tool too tightly.

Prepare a bed for your new pane after removing the old glaze points and putty. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, shaping it to be about 1/2-inch thick. Press it into the rabbets, where the glass will be placed. The glass must rest against the putty on both sides. If you need to, lightly tap your glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked then you can seal it with a solvent-based glass glue or silicone caulk prior to pressing it into the sash. If the crack isn't sealed, you'll require putty to keep water from getting in. After the putty is dry then clean the oily film off the glass with an abrasive and allow it to dry completely before painting. Paint after the putty has completely dried. It won't create a solid seal and could leak or discolor with time.

Paint

If you've suffered a break in a window pane, you might be worried about the expense of a new one. It's true that replacing a single piece of glass doesn't have to be expensive if you do it on your own. Even a replacement double glazed window-paned window can be replaced for a fraction of what it costs an expert.

If you are working with large glass windows first ensure it is securely attached to the frame. With the right tools and techniques, you can complete this task easily and fast.

Once you're ready to begin with the removal of the old window by prying out the metal glazing points that are connected to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles that function as "nails" that hold the window in within the frame of wood. They are placed under a bead or glazing putty which hardens into a solid wedge that holds the wood frame firmly in position and hides the sharp edges.

Once you have the old pane removed clean the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape off any old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves in which the glazing points were placed. These should be sanded down to bare wood to allow you to paint them the same shade as the rest of the frame. After sanding, apply a coat of flax oil to the bare wood to prolong its life.

Next, measure the size of the window opening. You will need 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 you get a precise size for the new pane. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. You can bring these measurements to a hardware or home improvement shop and get 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.