How to Replace Window Panes

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

This is a project you could do yourself for a fraction of the cost of hiring an expert. You'll only require the appropriate tools and a few hours of your time.

Glass

If your single-pane windows are outdated, deteriorating or broken replacing them with more modern glass that is tempered or insulated will increase energy efficiency and decrease noise while also preserving the historic integrity of older homes. The process of replacing a window pane is relatively easy and can be accomplished by most homeowners who possess basic hand tools. In addition to a new pane, the following tools are needed such as latex glazing putty; glazier's points; pliers; and the use of a heat gun to warm the old putty, if necessary. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to starting. Working with broken glass could cause serious injuries.

Take away any broken glass pieces remaining. It is best to use pliers for this however a flathead could be used equally. Then, use a wood chisel or putty knife to take the remainder of the old putty from the frame and sash. Be careful to not damage the window sash. Be careful and slow. It is a good idea to do this on a sturdy ladder rather than the ground, and to have someone stand below the sash to help keep it steady.

Prepare the window frame to receive the new pane once you have removed the old glue. Take measurements of the width and height of the opening for the sash and subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). Take these measurements to an hardware store or home center and find a piece glass cut to size. You can also cut the glass by yourself if you have the appropriate tools.

After installing the glass Apply some caulking around the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Install a glazier's pointing on both sides of the frame. This will help secure the pane. The points should not be so tight that they create friction between the frame and the sash, but they should also not be loose.

Before applying the putty, knead it thoroughly until it's soft and free of lumps. Then make it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip to the corner of the frame. Work from one corner to the next, making sure it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

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

After taking off the old putty, glazier points, and any other remnants Clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife. Lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves, if necessary, to smooth out rough areas. If you decide to sand the wood, be sure to protect it by using painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Write down the dimensions of the frame. Take these dimensions to a hardware store or home center and have 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.

Place the new pane in the frame and push firmly using your hands. Utilize the chisel's point or the back of the putty blade to tap the glaziers' points as shown in Figure 11. The glazier's point should be in line with the top edge of the pane and the shoulders should be just beneath that lip.

Apply a thin layer glazing compound on the rabbet grooves and edges of the glass window replacement. This will seal and protect the edges. Let it dry and cure completely.

When the glazing compound is dry and the glazing compound is dry, you can install the new window sash. The first step is to coat the wood with a thick coat of Linseed oil. This will prevent the new putty from soaking in the moisture and deteriorating and cracking over time. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or even the tip of the blade. Then use the chisel on the back of the putty tool or the back of the handle to gently hit the new sash, or glazier's point into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown at you, an errant rock or a fallen branch can cause a window replacements near me to crack or break. Most windows can be repaired easily by putting in a new piece. The glass is held in place by a small metal clip, referred to as a glazier’s point and putty. This compound is also known as glazing compound. Before installing a replacement pane, first remove the old one and clean up the area using the help of a rag, an abrasive scraper that is a pull type or an abrasive wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves when working. You'll need a heat gun when the window is fixed into the frame.

If you're planning to install the original sash in the future, take care to remove the molding pieces that hold the old pane in place. Then sand the sash to ensure it's smooth and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is re-installed then, apply a new silicone caulk around the glass to ensure 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're hard to chisel out, try placing a hand tool like a heat gun over them to soften them before you do. When using a heating tool, be sure to avoid damaging the sash's railings and sash.

Once the old glaze points and putty have been removed make a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope with glazing compound between your fingers and make it about 1/2 inch thick. Press it into the rabbets, where the glass will be put. It is essential that the Glass windows replacement rests against the putty in all places on both sides, so if you need to do so, gently tap the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack, you can cover 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 an airtight seal and keep water out. After the putty has dried remove the oily film off the glass and allow it to dry completely before painting. Paint after the putty has completely dried. It won't create a solid seal and may be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a damaged piece of glass. However, replacing a single glass pane doesn't require a huge amount of money when you do it yourself. In fact even windows with double glazing window replacement panes can be replaced at a fraction of the cost of a professional.

If you are working on a large window, make sure it is securely fastened to the frame. Using the proper tools and techniques to accomplish this task fairly easily and fast.

When you are ready to start, remove the old window pane. Take out the metal glazing points that are attached to it. These are tiny metal triangles that act as "nails" to hold the window in the frame. They are placed under a bead of glazing putty, which is then cured to form a solid, moulded wedge which holds the window in place and hides the edges.

After taking off the old pane clean the frame and the wood. Scrape away any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where 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 to the wood's surface to prolong its life.

Then, you need to measure the size of the window's 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 you get the exact measurement for the new pane. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass in times of seasonal changes. 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 panes replacement 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.