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 benefits like increased comfort, higher resale value and lower utility costs.

This is a project you could do yourself for only a fraction of the cost of hiring an expert. It requires the right equipment and an hour or two 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. The majority of homeowners with basic hand tools can replace the window pane. Alongside a replacement pane, the following tools are required: latex glazing putty; Glazier's points; pliers and an electric heater to warm the old putty, if necessary. Wear safety glasses and gloves before you begin. Working with broken glass could cause serious injuries.

Remove any broken glass pieces that remain. It is recommended to use pliers for this however, a flathead may work equally. Use a wood chisel, or putty knives, to take away any old putty remaining around the frame and window sash. Be careful not to break the window glass replacement near me sash. Work slowly and carefully. This can be done best on a ladder, not the ground. Also, ensure that someone lower to keep it in place.

Make sure the window frame is ready to receive the new pane after you have removed the old putty. 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. Alternatively, you can cut the glass yourself if you have the tools you need.

After installing the new pane, run a small bead of caulking around the edge to ensure it is weatherproof. Then, you can install a glazier's pointing on each side of the frame to secure the pane in its place. The points shouldn't be too tight that they cause friction between the frame and the sash however they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty on the surface, knead thoroughly until it is smooth and free of lumps. Then, roll it into pencil-size strips. The first strip should be placed in the corner of the frame, working from one corner to the other to ensure it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

The glazier’s points are small triangular pieces of steel which help to secure the glass into the window frame without causing any damage to the fragile surface. It's simple to learn how to use this hidden tool and you can save money on the expense of a professional installation.

After getting rid of the old putty glazier points as well as any remaining remnants Clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife. If necessary, lightly sand the wood along the grooves of the rabbet to smooth out rough spots. If you sand wood, cover it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

Take the dimensions of the frame and record precise measurements. Bring these measurements to a hardware store or a 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. Then, you can use the point of your chisel or the back of the putty knife to pierce the glazier's points, as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's point should be aligned with the top edge of your pane and the raised shoulders should be just below the lip.

Apply a thin bead of glazing compound on the edges of the glass that has been made and into the rabbet grooves to seal and protect them. Allow this to dry and cure completely.

Once the glazing compound has dried, you're ready to install the new window sash. The first step is to coat the wood with a thick coat of linseed oil. This will stop the new putty drying out or cracking due to the moisture it absorbs. Apply the coat using a brush or the edge of your putty knife, and then employ the chisel or back end from the putty knife to gently press the new sash and glazier's point into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches along the frame's perimeter.

Putty

A baseball thrown at you, an errant rock or a fallen branch can cause a window pane to break or crack. Most windows can be replaced easily by putting in a new piece. The glass is held into place by a small metal clip, also known as a glazier's point and putty. This compound is also known as glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area using a rag, Replace window pane a scraper that is a pull type or a wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while doing this work. If the window is glued to the frame, Replace window pane you'll need to use a heat gun to soften the adhesive prior to prying it free.

If you're planning to install your original sash, you must remove the mold that holds the old pane. Then sand the sash to make sure it's flat and ready for new caulk. After the sash has been re-installed and sanded, apply a fresh caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure that it won't leak or discolor in time.

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets, or the grooves in the sash that the glass sits. If they are hard to cut, place the hand tool, such as a heating gun over them for a few minutes to soften them. When using a heating tool, be careful to avoid damaging the sash or its railings.

Make a bed for your new pane after removing the old glaze and putty. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your hands, shaping it to be around 1/2-inch thick. Then, you can press it into the rabbets in which the glass will sit. The glass should rest against the putty on both sides. If necessary 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 the crack is not sealed, you will require putty to keep water from getting in. After the putty has dried, clean the oily film off the glass with an abrasive and allow it to dry completely before painting. Paint before the putty has dried completely. It will not make a strong seal and could leak or discolor with time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a damaged piece of glass. The truth is, replacing a single pane of glass doesn't need to be costly if you do it on your own. Even a double-paned window could be replaced at a fraction of the cost it costs a professional.

First, if you are working on a large window, make sure it is securely fixed to the frame. Using the proper tools and techniques to make this task relatively easy and fast.

When you are ready to begin taking down the old window pane. Remove the metal glazing points attached to it. These are essentially small metal triangles that function as "nails" which hold the window in within the frame of wood. They are placed under a bead or glazing putty that sets to form solid wedge that holds the wood frame securely in place and hides the points.

After taking off the old pane clean the frame and wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used and sand down the rabbet grooves in which the glazing points were. These should be sanded down to bare wood so that you can paint them the same color as the rest of the frame. After sanding the wood then apply a layer of flax oil. This will help prolong the life of the frame.

Then, you need to measure the size of the window opening. It is necessary to measure the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the entire opening, as well as the thickness. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure that you have the exact size for the new pane. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. You can take these measurements to a hardware store or home improvement store 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.