How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane could cause a lot of trouble. This could be an opportunity to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones and enjoy advantages like improved comfort, increased resale value and reduced utility bills.

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

Glass

If your single-pane windows are old, deteriorating or broken replacing them with more modern glass that is tempered or insulated can increase energy efficiency and decrease noise while maintaining the original character of older homes. Most homeowners with basic hand tools can replace windows with ease. In addition to a replacement pane, the following components are needed for the replacement process: latex glazing putty Glazier's points; pliers and an electric heater to warm the old putty, if needed. Wear safety glasses and gloves prior to starting. Working with broken glass can cause serious injuries.

Take out any broken glass pieces that remain. It is recommended to use pliers however, a flathead may work equally. Then, use a wooden chisel, or putty knife, to remove the rest of the old putty from around the frame and the sash. Be careful and slow making sure not to break the existing window sash. This is best done on a ladder, not on the ground. Also, have someone on the ground to keep it in place.

After you have removed all the old putty, prepare the window frame to fit the new pane. Measure the width and height of the sash opening and subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). These measurements can be sent to a hardware or home center store to have a piece cut of stock glass to the right size. You can also cut the glass yourself if have the right tools.

After installing the glass, apply a small amount of caulking on the edges. This will make the glass weatherproof. Install a glazier's pointing on both sides of the frame. This will ensure the pane. The points shouldn't be so tight as to cause friction between the frame and sash but they should not be too loose.

Before putting the putty on, make sure to knead it until it is soft and free of lumps. Roll it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip to the frame's corner. Work from one corner to the next and ensure that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are the small triangular pieces of metal which help to secure glass into a window frame without scratching or damaging the delicate surface. It's simple to learn how to use this hidden tool and you can save money on the expense of an expert installation.

After getting rid of the old putty glazier points and any remnants Clean the frame thoroughly using an utility knife. Lightly sand the wood into the rabbet grooves, if necessary, to smooth rough areas. If you decide to sand wood, protect it with painter’s tape to protect it from damage caused by accidental sanding.

Take the dimensions of the frame and write down accurate measurements. Take these measurements to an hardware store or home center, and have the new pane made slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a secure fit and leave room for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane in the frame and push firmly with your hands. Then, you can use the point of your chisel or back of the putty knife to make a tap on the glazier's facets, as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's points should sit flush against the top edge of your pane, and the shoulders should be just beneath that lip.

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

After the glazing compound dries, you're ready to install the new window sash. The first step is to coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will prevent the newly-created putty drying out or cracking when it absorbs moisture. Use a brush to apply this coat, or the point of the blade. Then, use the chisel that is on the back of the tool or the back of the handle to gently smash the new sash or glazier's point into rabbet grooves. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball hit, a rock thrown in error, or a tree falling can cause a broken or cracked window pane. The majority of windows can be replaced easily by putting in a new piece. The glass is held in place by tiny metal clips known as a glazier's point and putty, often called glazing compound. Before installing a replacement pane, first take out the old one and clean the area using a rag and a pull-type paint scraper or an abrasive wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses when working. If the window is attached to the frame, you'll need to employ a heat gun in order to soften the adhesive before cutting it loose.

If you are planning to replace Window pane the original sash, take off the molding that holds the old pane. Then you can sand the sash down to ensure it's smooth and ready to be re-caulked. After the sash has been installed, you can apply a silicone caulk on the glass. This will ensure that it doesn't get soiled or discolor over time.

Take out the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves in the sash where the glass is. If they're hard to chisel out, try holding an instrument like a heat gun over them to soften them first. When using a heated tool, be careful to not damage the sash and its railings.

Make the bed for your new pane after removing the old glaze points and putty. Roll a rope made of glazing compound between your fingers, and then make it about 1/2 inch thick. Then, push it into the rabbets in which the glass will sit. The glass must be positioned against the putty on both sides. If you need to you want to tap your glass lightly into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can cover it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk prior replace Window pane to pressing it into the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you'll require putty to keep the water out. Once the putty is dry remove the oily film from the glass and allow it to dry completely before you paint. Paint after the putty has completely dried. It won't create a solid seal and may be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a broken piece of glass. The truth is, replacing a single piece of glass doesn't need to be expensive when you do it on your own. In fact, even a double-pane window can be replaced for less than the cost of a professional.

If you are working with large glass windows first ensure it is securely fixed to the frame. This job can be made relatively simple and fast with the right tools and techniques.

When you're ready to start, begin by removing the old window by removing the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. These are small metal triangles that act as "nails" that hold the window in the frame. They are placed under a bead or glazing glue that sets to form solid wedge that holds the wood frame firmly in position and hides the points.

After removal of the old pane clean the frame and wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used 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 shade as the rest of the frame. After sanding, apply a coat of flax oil to the bare wood to extend the life of the frame.

Next, measure the dimensions of the window screen replacement opening. You'll need to take horizontal and vertical 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 get a precise size for the new pane. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass in times of seasonal changes. You can take these measurements to a hardware or Replace Window pane 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.