How to Replace Window Panes

A cracked window pane is an inconvenience. This could be an opportunity to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones to enjoy benefits such as improved comfort, higher resale value and reduced utility bills.

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

Glass

Replace your old single-paned windows with tempered insulation glass to improve energy efficiency, cut down on noise, and maintain the historical integrity of your old home. The majority of homeowners with basic hand tools can replace the window pane. You will also need an extra window pane, glazier's suggestions, glass Replacement windows pliers, and latex glaze putty. If necessary you can make use of a heat gun to warm the old putty. Wear safety goggles and gloves before you begin. Working with broken glass could result in serious injuries.

Take away any broken glass pieces that remain. It is recommended to use pliers however a flathead could work as well. Make use of a wood chisel or putty knife to get rid of any remaining old putty around the frame and window sash. Be careful and slow making sure not to damage the old window sash. This is best done on a ladder, not on the ground. Also, you should have someone on the ground to ensure it is held steady.

After you've removed all the old putty, you can prepare the window frame to accommodate the new pane. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction by subtracting 1/8 inch from the measurements of width and height. Bring 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 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, place a glazier's tip on the frame's opposite side to secure the pane in the right place. The points should not be so tight that they create friction between the frame and sash however they should not be too loose.

Before putting the putty on, make sure to knead it until it is soft and free of lumps. Then make it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be placed in the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to the next to ensure it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier’s points are small triangular pieces of steel which help to secure the glass to the frame without causing damage to the delicate surface. Understanding how to use these little helpers is easy and could save you money on professional installation or the cost of buying new glass.

After removing the old putty, glazier points as well as any remaining residue clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife. Lightly sand the frame in the rabbet grooves if needed to smooth rough areas. If you decide to sand the wood, ensure you protect it with painter's tack to avoid accidental damage.

Write down the dimensions of the frame. Take these measurements to an hardware store or home center, and have the new pane cut slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a tight fit and glass Replacement windows leave room for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and push it into the frame by using your hands. Then use the point of your chisel or back of the putty knife to make a tap on the glazier's points, as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's points should sit aligned with the top edge of your pane, and the shoulders raised should be just below that lip.

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

Once the glazing compound has dried it's time to put in the new window sash. First, saturate the wood with a thick coat of Linseed oil. This will stop the new putty from taking up the moisture and drying out and cracking with time. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or the tip of the blade. Then use the chisel on the back of the tool or the back of the putty handle to gently smash the new sash or glazier's tip into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball hit, a rock thrown in error or a branch falling can cause a broken or cracked window pane. The majority of windows can be repaired easily by putting in a new piece. The replacement glass for windows is held into position by a small metal clip, called the glazier's point, and putty. This compound is also referred to as glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area with an abrasive, pull-type scraper, or a wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses when you work. You'll require a heat gun in the event that the window is glued into the frame.

If you plan to reinstall the original sash in the future, take care to remove any pieces of molding that secure the old pane. Sand the sash until it is flat and ready to receive new caulk. After the sash has been put back in place then, you can apply a silicone caulk on the glass. This will ensure that it won't leak over time or discolor.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets, the grooves in the sash that the glass is. If they're difficult to cut out, you can try holding a hand tool like a heat gun to soften them up first. If you're using a heat gun, be careful not to damage the sash or its railings by using the tool too close.

Make the bed for your new pane after you have removed the old putty and glazing points. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your fingers and make it around 1/2 inch thick. Then, press it into the rabbets, where the glass will be. The glass must be positioned against the putty on both sides. If needed, lightly tap your 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 before pressing it into the sash. If the crack isn't sealed, you will require putty to keep the water out. After the putty has dried and the film is oily, wipe it off the glass with an abrasive and allow it to completely dry before painting. Paint before the putty is completely dry. It won't form a good seal and may be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a damaged piece of glass. However, replacing one Glass Replacement Windows pane does not require a huge amount of money If you can do it yourself. In fact windows with double panes can be replaced for only a fraction of the cost of a professional.

First, if you are working on a large-sized window, make sure that it is securely attached to the frame. Using the proper tools and techniques, you can complete this task easily and speedy.

When you are ready to start with the removal of the window pane. Pry out the metal glazing points that are attached to it. These are basically small metal triangles that act as "nails" that hold the window in place within the frame of wood. They are buried beneath a layer of glazing putty, which hardens into a solid, moulded wedge which holds the window in place and conceals the window's points.

After you have removed the old pane removed Clean up the frame and wood. Scrape off 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 shade. After sanding the wood, apply a layer of flax oil. This will help to prolong the life of the frame.

Then, you need to measure the width of the window's opening. It is necessary to measure the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the entire opening as well as the thickness. To determine the exact size of the new pane subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass during seasonal change. Take these measurements to your local hardware or home improvement store and ask them to cut you 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.