How to Replace Window Panes

A cracked window pane is an issue. It could also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows, and reap benefits like improved comfort, increased potential for resales, and less bills.

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

Glass

If your single pane windows are old damaged, cracked or deteriorating, replacing them with newer glass that is tempered or insulated can improve energy efficiency and reduce noise while maintaining the historical integrity of older homes. The replacement of a window pane is relatively easy and can be completed by anyone with basic hand tools. In addition to a new pane, the following tools 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 beginning. Working with broken glass could cause serious injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. This is best accomplished with pliers, but a flathead screwdriver can also work in a pinch. Utilize a wood chisel or putty knives to remove any remaining old putty around the frame and window sash. Work slowly and carefully and be careful not to damage the old window sash. This is best done on an elevated ladder, not on the ground. Also, have someone on the ground to hold it steady.

Once you've removed all the old putty, it is time to prepare the Window replacement handles for windows Companies (Www.Dgtss.Gouv.Sn) frame to accommodate the new pane. Measure the width and height of the opening in the sash and subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). These measurements can be sent to a home center or hardware store to get a piece cut of glass stock to the proper size. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself if you have the tools you need.

After installing the glass Apply some caulking to the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Install a glazier's pointing on both sides of the frame. This will secure the pane. The points shouldn't be too tight as to cause friction between the frame and sash, but they also should not be too loose.

Before applying the putty to the surface, knead thoroughly until it is soft and free from lumps. Roll it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip to the corner of the frame. Work from one corner to the next and ensure that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular pieces of metal that help secure the glass to the frame without causing damage to the delicate surface. It's simple to learn how to use this hidden tool and you can save money on the expense of an installation by a professional.

After taking off the old putty, glazier points and any residue, clean the frame thoroughly with an utility knife. Lightly sand the wood into the rabbet grooves 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.

Measure the empty frame's dimensions and record precise measurements. Take these dimensions to a hardware store or home center, and have the new pane made slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a snug fit and will allow room for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and push firmly with your hands. Use the point of the chisel or the edge of the putty blade to tap in the glaziers' points as shown in Figure 11. When you're done taping, they should be flush with the top edge of the pane and the shoulders of the points should be just below the rabbet's lip. groove.

Apply a thin layer of glazing compound on the rabbet grooves as well as the edges of the glass. This will seal and protect the edges. Allow this to dry and cure fully.

After the glazing compound dries and the glazing compound is dry, you can install the new window sash. First, saturate the wood with a thick coat of linseed oil. This will prevent the newly-created putty drying out or cracking due to the moisture it absorbs. Apply this coat with a brush or the edge of your putty knife, and then employ the chisel or back end of the knife to gently hammer the new sash and glazier's point into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process every 10 inches around the frame's perimeter.

Putty

A baseball hit, a rock thrown in error, or a fallen tree can cause a broken or cracked window. Fortunately, windows can be repaired by simply placing a new piece in the right place. The glass is held in place using small clips made of metal called a glazier's point and putty, also called glazing compound. Before installing a replacement pane, first remove the old one and clean up the area with an abrasive and an abrasive scraper that is a pull type or window replacement companies an abrasive wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses when you work. If the window is glued to the frame, you'll have to use a heat gun to soften the adhesive before cutting it loose.

If you're planning to reinstall the original sash, take off the molding that supports the old pane. Then you can sand the sash down to ensure it's smooth and ready for new caulk. After the sash has been re-installed and sanded, apply a fresh silicone caulk to the glass to ensure that it won't leak or discolor as time passes.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets. These are the grooves in the sash, which is where the glass is. If they are hard to chisel, use an instrument such as a heatgun over them to allow them to soften before. If you're using a heating gun, make sure not to scratch the railings of the sash or the sash itself by holding the tool too closely.

Make the bed for your new pane by removing the old glaze and putty. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your fingers and make it about 1/2 inch thick. Then, push it into the rabbets in which the glass will be. The glass should rest against the putty on both sides. If needed gently tap your glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has cracked, you can apply a silicone caulk or glass glue made from solvents to cover the crack prior to pressing it into the sash. If not, you'll have to apply putty on the crack to form an impervious seal to keep water out. After the putty has dried remove the oily film off of the glass and let it dry completely before you paint. Paint before the putty has dried completely. It won't make a strong seal and could leak or discolor with time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a broken pane of glass. The truth is, replacing a single pane of glass doesn't need to be costly even if you do it your own. Even a double-paned window can be replaced at a fraction of the cost it costs an expert.

If you are working with large glass windows first ensure it is securely attached to the frame. By using the correct tools and techniques you can make this task relatively easy and Window replacement companies speedy.

When you're ready to start, begin by removing the old window pane by prying out the metal glazing points that are attached to it. These are tiny triangles of metal which act as "nails" to hold the window in place. They are buried beneath a bead or glazing glue which hardens into a solid wedge that holds the frame firmly in position and conceals the edges.

After you have removed the old pane taken away clean the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape off any old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves in which the glazing points were placed. These should be sanded down to bare wood to allow you to paint them the same shade as the rest of the frame. After sanding the wood then apply a layer of flax oil. This will help prolong the life of the frame.

Next, measure the dimensions of the window opening. You will need to take vertical and horizontal measurements of the entire opening, and also the thickness of the old pane. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure that you get a precise size for the new pane. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass in times of seasonal changes. Bring these measurements to the hardware or home improvement store, and they will have a piece 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.