How to Replace Window Pane Window Panes

A damaged window replacement cost pane can be an issue. It can also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows and benefit from more comfort, higher resale value and reduced utility bills.

This is a project you could take on yourself for a fraction of the cost of hiring a professional. You'll need only the right tools and a few hours of your time.

Glass

Replace your old single-paned windows using tempered or insulation glass to improve energy efficiency, reduce noise, and protect the original character of your older home. The procedure of replacing a window pane is relatively easy and can be accomplished by homeowners with basic hand tools. In addition to a replacement pane, the following components are required for the replacement process: latex glazing putty glazier's points; pliers; and an electric heater to warm the old putty, if needed. Before starting, wear gloves and safety goggles as working with broken glass may cause injuries.

Remove any broken glass pieces that remain. It is recommended to use pliers, but a flathead can work as well. Make use of a wood chisel or putty knife to get rid of any old putty remaining around the frame and the window sash. Take your time and work slowly, taking care not to break the current window sash. It is recommended to work using a sturdy ladder rather than on the ground and have someone standing below the sash in order to help hold it in place.

Make sure the window frame is ready to receive the new pane when you have removed the old putty. Find the width and the height of the opening in the sash by subtracting 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 get cut a piece of glass that is in stock to the correct size. You can also cut the glass by yourself if you possess the right tools.

After putting the new pane in place After installing the new pane, apply a small amount of caulking along the edge to make it weatherproof. Then, place a glazier's tip on each side of the frame to secure the pane in place. The points shouldn't be so tight that they create friction between the sash and frame, but they also should not be too loose.

Before putting the putty on, knead it thoroughly until it's soft and free of lumps. Roll it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip to the corner of the frame. Work from one corner to another to ensure it's 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 replacement frame without causing damage to the delicate surface. It's easy to learn how to use this hidden tool, and you'll save money on the cost of an expert installation.

After taking off the old putty, glazier points, and any other leftovers, clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife. Lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves to smooth out rough areas. If you decide to sand the wood, ensure you protect it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

Note down the dimensions of the frame. Bring these measurements to an hardware store or home center, and have the new pane cut slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a snug fit, and allow for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane in the frame and press it into the frame with your hand. Utilize the chisel's point or the back of the putty knife to smudge the glazier's points, as shown in Figure 11. The glazier's point should be flush against the top edge of the pane and the shoulders raised should be just beneath that lip.

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

Once the glazing compound has dried, you're ready to install the new window sash. First, coat the wood with a thick coat of Linseed oil. This will keep the new putty from sucking up the moisture and drying out and cracking over time. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or the point of the 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 point into grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A hurled baseball, an errant rock or a fallen branch can cause a window to break or crack. Fortunately, windows can be replaced by simply placing a new piece of glass in its place. The glass is held in place with tiny metal clips known as the glazier's pointed and putty, often called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area using a rag, a pull-type scraper or wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses when you work. You'll need a heat gun when the window is fixed into the frame.

If you're planning to install the original sash, remove any pieces of molding that hold the old pane in place. Sand the sash until it is flat and ready to receive new caulk. Once the sash is re-installed, apply a new silicone caulk around the glass to ensure 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 sits. If they're hard to chisel, use an instrument like a heat gun over them for a few minutes to soften them. If you're using a heat gun, be cautious not to cause damage to the sash or its railings by holding the tool too closely.

Make the bed for your new pane by removing the old glaze and putty. Roll a piece 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 should 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 cracked, you can use the silicone caulk or glass glue that is based on solvents to fill in the crack prior to pressing it in the sash. If not, you'll have to apply putty over the crack to form an airtight seal and keep water out. After the putty has dried, wipe the oily film from the glass and let it dry completely before painting. Paint before the putty has dried completely. It will not make a strong seal and may leak or discolor with time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a broken pane of glass. However, replacing a single glass pane doesn't have to break the bank if you do it yourself. In fact windows with double panes can be replaced at a fraction of the cost of an expert.

If you are working with large glass windows first, ensure that it is securely attached to the frame. This task can be done relatively easy and quick with the proper tools and techniques.

When you're ready to start taking off the old window pane by prying out the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles that act as "nails" which hold the window in in the wood frame. They are placed beneath a layer of glazing putty that is then cured to form a solid, replace window Pane molded wedge which holds the window in place and hides the edges.

After you have removed the old pane removed Clean up the frame and wood. Scrape away any old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves, where the glazing points used to be. Sand them down to bare wooden surfaces, allowing you to paint the frames with the same color. After sanding, apply a coat of flax oil on the wood's surface to extend the life of the frame.

Next, measure the width of the window's opening. It is necessary to take horizontal and vertical measurements of the entire opening, as well as the thickness of the old pane. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure 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 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.