How to Replace Window Pane Window Panes

A damaged window pane can be an inconvenience. It can also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows to reap benefits like greater comfort, a higher potential for resales, and less costs.

It's a project you can take on yourself for a fraction of the cost of hiring an expert. You only need the proper tools and a few minutes of your time.

Glass

Replace your single-paned windows with tempered or insulated glass to increase energy efficiency, reduce noise, and protect the historic integrity of your older home. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can repair a window pane. You will also require an extra window pane, glazier's suggestions, pliers, and latex glaze putty. If necessary you can use a heatgun to warm the old putty. Wear safety glasses and gloves before you begin. Working with broken glass could result in serious injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. This is best done using pliers, however, a flathead screwdriver may be used in the pinch. Utilize a wood chisel or putty knives, to take away any old putty that remains around the frame and replace window Pane window sash. Be careful not to damage the window sash. Work slowly and carefully. It is a good idea to work on a stable ladder rather than on the ground and to have someone standing below the sash in order to help hold it steady.

Once you have removed all the old putty, prepare the window frame to fit the new pane. Take measurements of 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 an hardware or home centers store to have an item cut from stock glass to the right size. Alternatively, you can cut the glass yourself if you have the appropriate tools.

After putting the new pane in place After installing the new pane, apply a small amount of caulking around the edges to seal it against weather. Install a glazier’s point on both sides of the frame. This will ensure the pane. The points should not be so tight that they create friction between the sash and frame but they shouldn't be too loose.

Before applying the putty knead it thoroughly until it is smooth and free of lumps. Then you can roll it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be glued to the corner of the frame. Work from corner to corner and ensure that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

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

After the old putty and the glazier's point are gone and the frame is thoroughly cleaned using a utility knife to get rid of any remaining traces. Lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves to smooth out rough areas. If you decide to sand wood, protect it with painter’s tape to protect it from damage caused by accidental sanding.

Note down the dimensions of the frame. 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 leave room for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and push it in with your hands. Utilize the point of the chisel, or the back of the putty blade to tap the glazier's points, as illustrated in Figure 11. After you're done, the points should be in line with the top edge of the pane. the raised shoulders of the points should be below the rabbet's lip. groove.

Apply a small amount of glazing compound over the edges of the new glass window replacement and into the rabbet grooves to seal and protect them. Allow this to dry and cure fully.

Once the glazing compound has dried it's time to put in the new window sash. First, saturate the wood with a heavy coat of linseed oil. This will stop the new putty from drying out and cracking due to the moisture it absorbs. Use a brush to apply this coat, or even the tip of the blade. Then, use the chisel on the back of the putty tool or the back of the handle to gently smash the new sash or glazier's tip into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.

Putty

A baseball hit, a rock thrown in error, or a fallen tree can cause a broken or cracked window pane. The majority of windows can be repaired easily by putting in a new piece. The glass is held in place by a small metal clip called a glazier's point, and putty, often called glazing compound. Before installing a replacement double glazed windows pane, first get rid of the old one and clean up the area with a rag and the pull-type paint scraper or an abrasive wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while you do this work. If the window is attached to the frame, you'll need to use a heat gun to soften the adhesive before prying it free.

If you're planning to replace the original sash, take off the molding that supports the old pane. Then sand the sash to make sure it's flat and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is installed then, apply a new silicone caulk around the glass to ensure it won't leak or discolor as time passes.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets and the grooves in the sash that the glass is. If they're hard to chisel out, you can try holding a hand tool like a heat gun to soften them before you do. When using a heated tool, be careful to not damage the sash's railings and sash.

Prepare the bed for your new pane after you have removed the old glaze and putty. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your hands, forming it to be around 1/2-inch thick. Then, push it into the rabbets, where the glass will be. The glass must rest against the putty on both sides. If needed, lightly tap your glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack you can fill it with a solvent-based glass glue or silicone caulk prior pressing it into the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you will need to use putty to keep the water out. After the putty has dried then clean the oily film off the glass with a rag and allow it to dry completely before painting. If you paint before the putty is completely dry, it won't form a solid seal and could discolor or leak in time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a broken piece of glass. It's true that replacing a single pane of glass doesn't need to be costly if you do it on your own. In fact, even a double-pane window can be replaced for a fraction of the cost of an expert.

If you are working on a large window, ensure that it is securely fastened to the frame. With the right tools and techniques, you can complete this task easily and speedy.

When you are ready to start with the removal of the window pane. Take out the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. These are small metal triangles that function as "nails", holding the window in place. They are buried beneath a bead or glazing glue that hardens to an unbreakable wedge that holds the wood frame in place and hides the sharp edges.

After taking off the old pane clean the frame and wood. Scrape off any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves, where the glazing points were. These should be sanded down to the point of being bare, to allow you to paint them the same color as the rest of the frame. After sanding, apply a coat of flax oil on the bare wood to prolong its life.

Then, take measurements of the dimensions of the window's opening. It is necessary to measure the vertical and Replace window pane horizontal dimensions of the entire opening as well as the thickness. To get the exact size of the new pane, subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. You can take these measurements to a hardware store or home improvement shop and get 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.