How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window can be a source of frustration. This can be an opportunity to upgrade to energy-efficient windows or insulated ones, and reap benefits such as improved comfort, increased resale value and lower utility costs.

It's a task you can do yourself for a fraction of the cost of hiring an expert. It requires the right equipment and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

Replace your single-paned windows with tempered or insulation glass to improve energy efficiency, reduce noise, and maintain the original character of your older home. The process of replacing the window pane is easy and can be completed by homeowners with basic hand tools. You will also require an extra window pane, glazier's tips, pliers, and latex glazing putty. If needed you can make use of a heat gun to warm the old putty. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to beginning. Working with broken glass can cause serious injuries.

Take out any broken glass window replacements (writes in the official Toptohigh blog) pieces remaining. This is best done using a pair of pliers, though using a flathead screwdriver may be effective in the pinch. Utilize a wood chisel or putty knives, to take away any old putty that remains around the frame and the window sash. Be careful not to scratch the window sash. Take your time and work slowly. It is a good idea to do this on a stable ladder instead of the ground and have someone standing below the sash to help hold it steady.

Once you have removed all of the old putty, you can prepare the window frame to fit the new pane. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction and contraction, subtract 1/8 inch from the measurements of the width and height. These measurements can be sent to an hardware or home centers store to have an item cut from stock glass to the right size. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself, if you have the appropriate tools.

After installing the new pane After installing the new pane, apply a small amount of caulking around the edge to seal it against weather. Then, you can install a glazier's pointing on the frame's opposite side to hold the pane in place. The points shouldn't be too tight as to cause friction between the sash and frame, but they also should not be too loose.

Before applying the putty to the surface, gently knead it until it becomes soft and free of lumps. Cut it into pencil-sized pieces. Place the first strip in the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to the other so that it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

The glazier’s points are small triangular pieces of steel that allow glass to be secured into the window frame without damaging the delicate surface. It's simple to learn how to use this secret tool, and you'll be able to save money on the cost of an expert installation.

After the old putty and the glazier's points have been removed, thoroughly clean the frame using a utility knife to get rid of any remaining residue. If needed it is necessary to lightly sand the wood along grooves of the rabbets to smooth rough areas. If you decide to sand the wood, be sure to protect it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

Write down the exact dimensions of the frame. These measurements can be taken to an hardware or home centers store, and the new frame will be cut slightly smaller. This will ensure that the pane fits comfortably and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane in the frame and push firmly using your hands. Then use the point of your chisel or the back end of the putty knife to pierce the glazier's facets, as shown in Figure 11. The glazier's points should sit in line with the top edge of your pane, and the raised shoulders should be just beneath that lip.

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

When the glazing compound is dry, you're ready to install the new window sash. First, coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will stop the new putty from drying out or cracking as it absorbs moisture. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or the tip of the putty blade. Then, use the chisel that is on the back of the putty tool or the back of the putty handle to gently hammer the new sash or glazier's point into rabbet grooves. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches along the frame's perimeter.

Putty

A baseball thrown, a rock thrown in error or a branch falling can cause a broken or cracked window pane. The majority of replacement windows can be repaired easily by simply putting in a fresh 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 referred to as glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area using an abrasive, scraper that is a pull type or a wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while working. You'll require a heat gun when the window is fixed to the frame.

If you're planning to install the original sash, window replacement panes gently remove the molding pieces that hold the old pane in place. Then, sand the sash to ensure it's smooth and ready to be re-caulked. Once the sash is installed then, apply a new silicone caulk to the glass to ensure it will not leak or change color in time.

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets, the grooves in the sash, where the glass is. If they are hard to chisel, hold a hand tool such as a heating gun over them for a few minutes to soften them. If you're using a heating gun, be cautious not to scratch the railings or sash by using the tool too tightly.

Once the old points of glazing 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. Then, press it into the rabbets in which the glass will sit. It's important that the glass rests against the putty in all places on both sides If you have to tap it, gently press the glass window replacement into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane has cracked, you can apply a silicone caulk or a glass glue based on solvents to fill in the crack prior to pressing it into the sash. Otherwise, you'll need to putty over the crack to form a tight seal and keep water out. After the putty is dry and the film is oily, wipe it off the glass with an abrasive and allow it to completely dry before painting. If you paint before the putty is fully dry, it won't create an effective seal and could discolor or leak in time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a broken pane of glass. But the truth is that replacing one glass pane does not have to break the bank If you can do it yourself. In fact windows with double panes can be replaced for less than the cost of an expert.

If you are working on a large-sized window, make sure that it is securely attached to the frame. This task can be done relatively easy and quick with the appropriate tools and techniques.

When you are ready to start with the removal of the window pane. Pry out the metal glazing points attached to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles that act as "nails" which hold the window in place within the frame of wood. They are submerged beneath a bead or glazing putty which hardens into solid wedge which holds the wood frame firmly in position and hides the sharp edges.

After removing the old pane, clean the frame and wood. Scrape away any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves, where the glazing points used to be. Sand them to bare wooden surfaces so you can paint the frames the same color. After sanding, apply a layer of flax oil on the wood's surface to extend the life of the frame.

Then, you need to measure the size of the window's opening. You'll need to take vertical and horizontal measurements of the entire opening, as well as the thickness of the old pane. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure that 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 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.