How to Replace Window Pane Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window is a nuisance. It could also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows, and benefit from improved comfort, increased resale value and reduced utility bills.

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

Glass

If your single pane windows are old damaged, cracked or deteriorating, replacing them with newer glass that is tempered or insulated will improve energy efficiency and reduce noise while also preserving the historical integrity of older homes. The replacement of windows is easy and can be completed by anyone with basic hand tools. You will also require a replacement window glass near me window pane, glazier's suggestions, pliers, and latex glaze putty. If you need to, you can use a heating gun to warm the old putty. Before beginning, wear gloves and safety goggles as working with broken glass can cause injuries.

Take away any broken glass pieces that remain. It is recommended to use pliers for this, but a flathead can be used equally. Then, use a wood chisel or putty knife remove the rest of the old putty from around the frame and the sash. Be careful not to damage the window sash. Take your time and work slowly. This should be done on a ladder, not the ground. Also, ensure that someone on the ground to hold it steady.

After you have removed all of the old putty, it is time to prepare the window frame for the new pane. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction by subtracting 1/8 inch from the measurements of width and height. Bring these measurements to an hardware store or home center and find a piece glass cut to size. You can cut the glass yourself if you have the right tools.

After putting in the new glass Apply a small amount of caulking around the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Install a glazier’s point on both sides of the frame. This will help secure the pane. The points shouldn't be too tight that they cause friction between the sash and the frame however they should not be too loose.

Before putting the putty on, knead it thoroughly until it is smooth and free of lumps. Then, roll it into pencil-size strips. Apply the first strip to the corner of the frame, working from one corner to another so that it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

The glazier’s points are small triangular pieces of metal which help to secure the glass into the window frame without damaging the delicate surface. It's easy to learn how to use this hidden tool, and you'll be able to save money on the expense of an installation by a professional.

After the old putty as well as the glazier's point are gone Clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife to get rid of any remaining residue. If necessary you can lightly sand the wood along rabbet grooves to smooth rough spots. If you do sand the wood, make sure to protect it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

Write down the dimensions of the frame. These measurements can be taken to an hardware or home centers store, and the new pane will be cut a bit smaller. This will ensure a secure fit and will allow room for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and press it down using your hands. Utilize the point of the chisel or the edge of the putty blade to tap the glazier's points as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's point should be flush against the top edge of your pane, and the shoulders raised should be just below that lip.

Apply a thin bead of glazing compound on the edges of the new glass and into the rabbet grooves to seal and protect them. Let it dry and cure fully.

Install the new window sash once the glazing compound has dried. The first step is to coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will prevent the newly-created putty from drying out and cracking when it absorbs moisture. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or the tip of the putty blade. Then use the chisel on the back of the putty tool or the back of the putty handle to gently smash the new sash or glazier's tip into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown at you or an unintentional rock, or a fallen branch can cause a window pane to break or crack. Fortunately, windows can be repaired by simply putting a brand new piece of glass in its the proper place. The glass is held in place using tiny metal clips known as a glazier's point, and putty, also called glazing compound. Before installing a new pane, first get rid of the old one and clean the area using an abrasive and the pull-type paint scraper or an abrasive wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves when you work. You'll need a heat gun if the window is glued into the frame.

If you're planning to install the original sash in the future, take care to remove any pieces of molding that hold the old pane in place. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready for new caulk. After the sash has been installed then, you can apply a silicone caulk over the glass. This will ensure that it doesn't get soiled or discolor over time.

Remove the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash, where the glass is located. If they're hard to chisel out, try placing a hand tool like a heat gun over them to soften them before you do. If you're using a heating gun, be cautious not to scratch the sash or its railings by using the tool too closely.

Once the old glaze points and putty are removed, make a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your hands, and form it to be about 1/2-inch thick. Place it into the rabbets where the glass will be put. 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 has a crack then you can seal it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk prior to pressing it into the sash. If not, you'll have to apply putty on the crack to form an impervious seal to keep water out. After the putty is dry then clean the oily film off the glass using an abrasive and allow it to dry completely prior to painting. Paint after the putty has dried completely. It won't form a good seal and may discolor or leak over time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a damaged piece of glass. In reality, replacing a single pane of glass doesn't have to be costly if you do it on your own. Even double glazing replacement window-paned windows can be replaced for a fraction of the price it will cost for a professional.

If you are working with a large glass window, first make sure it is securely fixed to the frame. This task is relatively easy and fast with the appropriate tools and techniques.

When you are ready to start, remove the old window pane. Pry out the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. These are tiny triangles of metal which act as "nails" to hold the window within the frame. They are buried beneath a bead or glazing glue that hardens to a solid wedge that holds the wood frame in place and conceals the edges.

After you have the old pane taken away, clean up the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used and sand down the rabbet grooves in which the glazing points were placed. These should be sanded down to the point of being bare, to allow you to paint them the same color as the rest of the frame. After sanding the wood you can apply a layer flax oil. This will help extend its life.

Then, you need to measure the size of the window opening. You'll need to take horizontal and vertical measurements of the entire opening and also the thickness of the old pane. To determine the exact size of the new pane subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. Take these dimensions to your local 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, replace window pane 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.