How to Replace Window Panes

A cracked window pane is a nuisance. It can also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows, and enjoy benefits such as improved comfort, increased the value of resales and lower utility bills.

You can do it yourself for less than what it would cost to employ an expert. It requires the right equipment and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

Replace Window Pane your old single-paned windows using tempered or insulated glass to increase the efficiency of your energy, reduce noise, and maintain the original character of your old home. The process of replacing windows is easy and can be completed by homeowners with basic hand tools. In addition to a replacement pane, the following tools are required such as latex glazing putty; glazier's points; pliers; and a heat gun for warming the old putty if required. Before starting, put on protective gloves and goggles since working with broken glass may cause injuries.

Remove any broken glass pieces that remain. This is best accomplished with pliers, however, a flathead screwdriver may be used in the pinch. Then, use a wooden chisel, or putty knife, to remove the rest of the old putty around the frame and sash. Be careful to not break the window sash. Take your time and work slowly. It is recommended to do this on a stable ladder instead of the ground and to have someone standing below the sash to help keep it steady.

Make sure that the window frame is ready to accommodate the new pane when you have removed the old glue. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction, subtract 1/8 inch each from the measurements of width and height. Take these measurements to a hardware store or home center and get a piece of stock glass cut to size. You can also cut the glass yourself if have the appropriate tools.

After putting in the new pane, run a small bead of caulking around the edges to seal it against weather. Then, you can install a glazier's pointing on the frame's opposite side to secure the pane into its place. The points shouldn't be so tight that they cause friction between the sash and the frame, but they also shouldn't be loose.

Before applying the putty on the surface, you must knead it thoroughly until it is smooth and free from lumps. Then, roll it into pencil-size 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 metal pieces that help secure the glass to the frame without damaging the delicate surface. It's easy to learn how to use this secret tool and you can save money on the cost of an expert installation.

After taking off the old putty, glazier points and any leftovers clean the frame thoroughly with an utility knife. If necessary, lightly sand the wood in the grooves of the rabbets to smooth rough areas. If you do sand the wood, ensure you protect it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

Measure the empty frame's dimensions and write down accurate measurements. 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 a tight fit and leave room for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane in the frame and push firmly with your hands. Use the point of the chisel or the back of the putty knife to tap the glaziers' points as illustrated in Figure 11. After you're done, the points should be level with the top edge of the pane, and the raised shoulders of the points should be just below the lip of the rabbet groove.

Apply a thin bead of glazing compound on the edges of the new glass and in the rabbet grooves to seal and protect them. Allow this to dry and cure fully.

When the glazing compound is dry it's time to put in the new window sash. First, coat the wood with a heavy coat of Linseed oil. This will stop the new putty drying out or cracking due to the moisture it absorbs. Use a brush to apply this coat, or even the tip of the putty blade. Then, use the chisel on the back of the tool or the back of the putty handle to gently hit the new sash, or glazier's point into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown at you or an unintentional rock, or falling branch could cause a window sash replacement pane to break or crack. Fortunately, windows can be repaired by simply putting a new piece in the right place. The glass is held in place with small clips made of metal called a glazier's point and putty, which is often called glazing compound. Before you install a new pane, first get rid of the old one and replace Window pane clean the area using a rag and an abrasive scraper that is a pull type or an abrasive wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses when you work. You'll require a heat gun in the event that the window is glued to the frame.

If you plan to reinstall the original sash, remove any molding pieces that are used to secure the old pane. Then you can sand the sash down to make sure it's flat and ready for a new caulk. After the sash has been installed then, you can apply a silicone caulk over the glass. This will ensure that it won't be leaking or fade over time.

Remove the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash, where the glass is. If they're hard to chisel out, you can try holding an instrument like a heat gun to soften them first. If you're using a heat gun, be cautious not to cause damage to the railings or sash by holding the tool too closely.

Prepare the bed for your new pane after removing the old putty and glazing points. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your hands, forming it to be about 1/2-inch thick. Then, you can press it into the rabbets where the glass will rest. It is crucial that the glass sits on the putty on both sides, so if you need to, lightly tap the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can cover it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk prior pressing it into the sash. In other cases, you'll need to apply putty on the crack to create an airtight seal and keep water out. After the putty has dried remove the oily film off of the glass and allow it to dry completely before you paint. Paint before the putty is completely dry. It will not make a strong seal and could discolor or leak over time.

Paint

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

If you are working on a large window, ensure that it is securely attached to the frame. By using the correct tools and techniques, you can accomplish this task fairly easily and speedy.

If you're ready to begin, begin by removing the old window by prying out the metal glazing points that are attached to it. These are essentially small metal triangles which function as "nails" that hold the window in place within the frame of wood. They are submerged beneath a bead or glazing putty which hardens into an unbreakable wedge that holds the wood frame securely in place and hides the points.

Once you have the old pane taken away, clean up the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape off any old paint and sand the rabbet grooves that the glazing points were placed. They should be sanded to bare wood, to allow you to paint them the same color as the rest the frame. After sanding, apply a layer of flax oil to the wood's surface to help extend its lifespan.

Next, measure the width of the window's opening. It is necessary to take vertical and horizontal measurements of the entire opening, and also the thickness of the old pane. To determine the exact dimensions of the new pane subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements. 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.