How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window 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 greater comfort, a higher the value of resales and nearest lower utility bills.

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

Glass

If your single pane windows are old broken, deteriorating or damaged replacing them with modern glass that is tempered or insulated will improve energy efficiency and reduce noise while also preserving the original character of older homes. The replacement double glazed windows of the window pane is easy and can be accomplished by most homeowners who possess basic hand tools. You will also need an extra window pane, glazier's tips pliers, and latex glazing putty. If needed, you can use a heating gun to warm the old putty. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to beginning. Working with broken glass could result in serious injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. This is best done using pliers, but flathead screwdrivers can be used in a pinch. Make use of a wood chisel or putty knife to get rid of any old putty that remains around the frame and the window sash. Be careful not to scratch the window sash. Work slowly and carefully. It is a good idea to do this on a sturdy ladder rather than on the ground and place someone on the sash in order to help hold it in place.

Make sure that the window frame is ready to receive the new pane once you have removed the old putty. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction and contraction, subtract 1/8 inch from the measurements of width and height. Bring these measurements to the nearest hardware store or home center and get a piece of stock glass cut to size. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself if you have the tools you need.

After installing the new pane After installing the new pane, apply a small amount of caulking along the edge to make it weatherproof. Then install a glazier's point on each side of the frame to secure the pane in the right place. The points shouldn't be tight enough to create friction between the frame and the sash, but they should also not be loose.

Before applying the putty to the surface, you must knead it thoroughly until it is soft and free from lumps. Then you can roll it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be placed to the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to the next to ensure it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

The glazier’s points are small triangular pieces of steel which help to secure the glass to the frame without causing any damage to the fragile surface. It's simple to learn how to use this secret tool, and you'll save money on the expense of an installation by a professional.

Once the old putty and the glazier's point are gone Clean the frame thoroughly with a utility knife to remove any remaining traces. Lightly sand the wood into the rabbet grooves if needed to smooth rough areas. If you do sand your wood, make sure to protect it by using painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Take the dimensions of the frame and note down precise measurements. Take these measurements to a hardware store or a home center and have the new pane made slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure that the pane fits comfortably and allows for expansion and contraction.

Insert the new pane into the frame and push firmly using your hands. Make use of the chisel's point, or the edge of the putty blade to smudge the glazier's points, as shown in Figure 11. The glazier's points should be aligned with the top edge of your pane, and the raised shoulders should be just below the lip.

Apply a thin bead of glazing compound over the edges of the new glass and nearest into the rabbet grooves to seal and protect them. Allow it to dry and cure completely.

After the glazing compound dries it's time to put in the new window sash. First, coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will stop the new putty from drying out and cracking due to the moisture it absorbs. Apply this coat using a brush or the tip of your knife, then use the chisel or the back end of the putty knife to gently hammer in the new sash and glazier's tips into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.

Putty

A hurled baseball or a rock that is errant or falling branch could cause a window to crack or break. Most windows can be repaired easily by putting in a new piece. The glass is held in place using a small metal clip called a glazier's point and putty, often called glazing compound. Before you install a new pane, first remove the old one and clean up the area using an abrasive and an abrasive scraper that is a pull type or the wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while working. You'll require a heat gun when the window is fixed into the frame.

If you are planning to replace the original sash in the future, take care to remove any molding pieces that are used to secure the old pane. Then you can sand the sash down to ensure it's level and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is put back in place then, you can apply a silicone caulk on the glass. This will ensure that it doesn't get soiled or discolor over time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash where the glass is. If they're difficult to cut out, try holding the hand tool, such as a heat gun to soften them before you do. If you're using a heated gun, be cautious not to damage the railings or sash by holding the tool too tightly.

Make the bed for your new pane by removing the old glaze and putty. Roll a rope made of glazing compound between your fingers, and make it around 1/2 inch thick. Then, press it into the rabbets where the glass will sit. 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 use a silicone caulk or glass glue made from solvents to fill in the crack prior to pressing it into the sash. If not, you'll have to apply putty on the crack to create an airtight seal and keep water out. When the putty dries, clean the oily film off the glass using the help of a rag. Allow it to completely dry before painting. If you paint before the putty is fully dry, it won't create a solid seal and could be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a broken piece of glass. But the truth is that replacing a single glass pane doesn't need to cost a fortune 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 window, make sure it is securely fixed to the frame. This can be made relatively simple and fast with the appropriate tools and techniques.

When you are ready to begin taking down the old window pane. Remove the metal glazing points attached to it. These are basically small metal triangles which function as "nails" which hold the window in place within the frame of wood. They are buried beneath a layer of glazing putty, which is then cured to form a solid, formed wedge that holds the window firmly in place and hides the edges.

After you have the old pane removed clean the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape off any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves, where the glazing points were. They should be sanded to bare wood to allow you to paint them the same color as the rest the frame. After sanding the wood, apply a layer of flax oil. This will help to prolong the life of the frame.

Next, measure the dimensions of the window opening. It is necessary to measure the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the entire opening as well as the thickness. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure you get the exact measurement for the new pane. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass during seasons of change. You can bring 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.