How to Replace Window Panes

A cracked window pane can cause a lot of trouble. This could be an opportunity to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones, and reap benefits like increased comfort, higher resale value and lower utility costs.

You can do it yourself for a less than what it would cost to employ an expert. You'll need only the proper tools and a few hours of your time.

Glass

If your single pane windows are old broken, deteriorating or damaged replacing them with more modern glass that is tempered or replace window Pane insulated will increase energy efficiency and reduce noise while maintaining the historical integrity of older homes. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can replace Window pane windows with ease. Alongside a replacement pane, the following items are required: latex double glazing window replacement putty; pliers, glazier's points and a heat gun for warming the old putty if required. Before beginning, wear protective gloves and goggles since working with broken glass can cause injuries.

Remove any broken glass pieces that remain. It is recommended to use pliers however a flathead could be used equally. Utilize a wood chisel or putty knives, to take away any remaining old putty around the frame and window sash. Work slowly and carefully, taking care not to break the current window sash. It is best to do this on a sturdy ladder rather than the ground and have someone stand below the sash to help hold it steady.

After you've removed all the old putty, 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. Take these measurements to the nearest hardware store or home center and find a piece glass cut to size. You can cut the glass yourself if you have the appropriate tools.

After putting in the new glass, apply caulking around the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then install a glazier's point on each side of the frame to hold the pane in its place. The points should not be so tight that they create friction between the frame and the sash however they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty to the surface, you must knead it thoroughly until it is smooth and free from lumps. Then you can roll it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip to the corner of the frame. Work from one corner to the next to ensure it's even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's facets are small triangular pieces that help secure glass into the frame of a window without scratching or damaging the fragile surface. Understanding how to use these hidden tiny helpers is simple and can save you money on professional installation or the cost of buying new glass.

After removing the old putty, glazier points and any remnants Clean the frame thoroughly with an utility knife. If needed, lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves to smooth out rough spots. If you do sand your wood, ensure you protect it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

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

Place the new pane in the frame and press it in place using your hand. Then, you can use the point of your chisel or back end of the putty knife to tap in the glazier's facets, as shown in Figure 11. When you're done taping, they should be in line 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 to the rabbet grooves as well as the edges of the glass. This will protect and seal the edges. Let it dry and cure completely.

Install the new window sash once the glazing compound has dried. First, you need to coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will keep the new putty from taking in the moisture and drying out and cracking with time. Apply the coat using a brush or the tip of your knife, then employ the chisel or back end of the putty knife to gently hammer in the new sash and glazier's tips into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown or a rock thrown by error, or a tree falling could result in a broken or cracked window. The majority of windows can be replaced easily by simply putting in a fresh piece. The glass is held in place by a small metal clip, also known as a glazier’s point and putty. This compound is also referred to as glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area with the rag, a pull-type scraper, or a wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves while doing this work. You'll need a heating gun when the window is fixed into the frame.

If you plan to reinstall the original sash, remove any molding pieces that are used to secure the old pane. Then you can sand the sash down to make sure it's flat and ready for new caulk. After the sash has been reinstalled then, you can apply a silicone caulk to the glass. This will ensure that it won't leak over time or discolor.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash, which is where the glass is located. If they are hard to chisel, hold the hand tool, like a heat gun over them for a few minutes to soften them. When using a heat tool, be sure to not scratch the sash's railings and sash.

Once the old glazing points and putty have been removed prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope made of glazing compound between your fingers and make it around 1/2 inch thick. Place it into the rabbets where the glass will be put. The glass should rest against the putty on both sides. If needed gently tap your glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is damaged, you can use the silicone caulk or glass glue that is based on solvents to cover the crack prior to pressing it in the sash. If the crack isn't sealed, you'll need to use putty to keep water from getting in. After the putty has dried, clean the oily film off the glass with a rag and allow it to completely dry before painting. Paint after the putty has dried completely. It won't create a solid seal and may discolor or leak over time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a damaged piece of glass. But the truth is that replacing one glass pane does not need to cost a fortune when you do it yourself. Even a double glazing window replacement-paned window could be replaced at a fraction of the cost it would cost an expert.

First, if you're working on a large-sized window, make sure that it is securely fastened to the frame. With the right tools and techniques you can make this task relatively easy and quick.

When you are ready to start, remove the old window pane. Remove the metal glazing points that are attached to it. These are essentially small metal triangles that function as "nails" that keep the window in place within the frame of wood. They are submerged under a bead of glazing putty, which is then cured to form a solid, molded wedge which holds the window in place and conceals the edges.

After you have the old pane taken away Clean up the frame and wood. Scrape off any old paint, and sand the rabbet grooves that the glazing points were placed. Sand them down to clean wood surfaces, so that you can paint the frames the same color. 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's opening. You will need to take horizontal and vertical measurements of the entire opening and also the thickness of the old pane. To get 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 in times of seasonal changes. You can take these measurements to a hardware or 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.