How to Replace Window Panes

A cracked window pane can cause a lot of trouble. It could also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows, and enjoy benefits such as improved comfort, increased resale value and reduced utility costs.

It's a project you can do yourself for a fraction of the cost of hiring a professional. You'll only require the proper tools and a few hours of your time.

Glass

replace window pane your single-paned windows using tempered or insulate glass to improve the efficiency of your energy, reduce noise, and preserve the historic integrity of your old home. The replacement of windows is easy and can be accomplished by anyone 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 a heat gun for warming the old putty if required. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to starting. Working with broken glass can cause serious injuries.

Take away any broken glass pieces remaining. This is best done using a pair of pliers, though using a flathead screwdriver may be effective in the pinch. Make use of a wood chisel or putty knives to remove any old putty that remains around the frame and window sash. Work slowly and carefully and be careful not to damage the old window sash. It is recommended to do this on a sturdy ladder rather than on the ground and to place someone on the sash to help hold it steady.

Prepare the window frame to receive the new pane once you have removed the old putty. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction, subtract 1/8 inch each from the measurements of width and height. These measurements can be taken to a hardware or home center store to have an item cut from glass stock to the proper size. You can also cut the glass by yourself if you have the right tools.

After putting in the new pane After installing the new pane, apply a small amount of caulking around the edges to make it weatherproof. Then, you can install a glazier's pointing on each side of the frame to secure the pane in the right place. The points should not be so tight that they cause friction between the frame and the sash However, they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty to the surface, gently knead it until it becomes soft and free of lumps. Then make it into pencil-sized strips. Place the first strip in the corner of the frame, working from one corner to another to ensure it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's facets are small triangular pieces that help secure glass into frames for windows without damaging or scratching the delicate surface. Knowing how to use these little helpers is easy and can save you money on a professional installation or the cost of new glass.

After the old putty and the glazier's point are gone and the frame is thoroughly cleaned using a utility knife to remove any remaining traces. Lightly sand the frame in the rabbet grooves if needed to smooth rough areas. If you do sand the wood, be sure to protect it with painter's tack to avoid accidental damage.

Write down the dimensions of the frame. These dimensions can be taken to a home center or hardware store, and the new pane will be cut to a smaller size. This will ensure that the pane fits snugly and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new window in the frame and push it into place firmly using your hand. Then, use the tip of your chisel, or the back of the putty knife to tap in the glazier's facets, as illustrated in Figure 11. When you're done, they should be flush with the top edge of the pane and the shoulders of the points should be below the rabbet's lip. groove.

Apply a small amount of glazing compound over the edges of the glass that has been made and into the rabbet grooves, to seal and protect them. Let it dry completely and cure.

Install the new window replacement companies sash once the glazing compound has dried. The first step is to coat the wood with a heavy coat of Linseed oil. This will prevent the newly-created putty from drying out and cracking when it absorbs moisture. Apply the coat using a brush or the tip of your putty knife, and then use the chisel or the back end from the putty knife to gently press the new sash and glazier's points into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches along the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown or a rock thrown in error or a branch falling could result in a broken or cracked window pane. Luckily, most windows can be replaced by simply putting a new piece of glass in its the right place. The glass is held in place by tiny metal clips known as the glazier's pointed and putty, often called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area with an abrasive, scraper that is a pull type or a wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves while working. If the window is glued to the frame, you'll need to use a heat gun to soften the adhesive prior to cutting it loose.

If you are planning to reinstall your original sash, you must remove the mold that holds the old pane. Then sand the sash to ensure it's smooth and ready for a new caulk. Once the sash is re-installed and sanded, apply a fresh silicone caulk to the glass to ensure that it won't leak or discolor in time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets. These are the grooves in the sash where the glass is located. If they're difficult to work out, try holding the hand tool, such as a heat gun over them to soften them before you do. If you're using a heating gun, be careful not to scratch the sash or its railings by using the tool too close.

After the old points of glazing and putty have been removed prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope made of glazing compound between your fingers and make it about 1/2 inch thick. Place it into the rabbets where the glass will be put. It is crucial that the glass rests against the putty in all places on each side, so if you need to, lightly tap the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has cracked, you can apply a silicone caulk or glass glue based on solvents to fill in the crack before pressing it in the sash. If the crack isn't sealed, you will need to use putty to keep water out. After the putty is dry then clean the oily film off the glass with an abrasive and allow it to dry completely before painting. Paint after the putty has dried completely. It will not create a solid seal and may be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a broken piece of glass. It's true that replacing a single pane of glass doesn't need to be expensive even if you do it your own. Even a double-paned window could be replaced for a fraction of what it costs an expert.

If you're working with a large glass window, first make sure it is securely attached to the frame. By using the correct tools and techniques you can complete this task easily and fast.

When you're ready to start, begin by removing the old window by removing the metal glazing points that are connected to it. These are tiny triangles of metal which act as "nails" to hold the upvc window handle replacement in the frame. They are submerged beneath a glaze putty or bead which hardens into an unbreakable wedge that holds the frame firmly in position and replace window Pane hides the sharp edges.

Once you have the old pane taken away Clean up the frame and wood. Scrape off any old paint and sand the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were placed. These should be sanded to the point of being bare, so that you can 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's opening. You'll need to determine the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the entire opening as well as the thickness. 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 or home improvement shop 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.