How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window can be a nuisance. It can also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows to benefit from more comfort, higher the value of resales and lower utility bills.

You can do it yourself at less than what it would cost to employ an expert. You only need the appropriate tools and a few minutes 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 increase energy efficiency and reduce noise while preserving the historic integrity of older homes. The process of replacing the window pane is easy and can be completed by most homeowners who possess basic hand tools. Alongside a replacement pane, the following tools are needed: latex glazing putty; Glazier's points; pliers and the use of a heat gun to warm the old putty if required. Before starting, put on gloves and safety glasses as working with broken glass can cause injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. It is best to use pliers however a flathead could work as well. Then, use a wooden chisel, or putty knife, to remove the remaining old putty from the frame and the sash. Work slowly and carefully and be careful not to break the existing window sash. It is recommended to work on a sturdy ladder instead of the ground and to have someone standing below the sash in order to help hold it in place.

After you have removed all of the old putty, it is time to prepare the window frame for 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). Take these measurements to the nearest 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, run a small bead of caulking around the edge to ensure it is weatherproof. Install a glazier's pointing on both sides of the frame. This will secure the pane. The points should not be so tight that they create friction between the frame and sash however they should not be loose.

Before putting the putty on, work it in a gentle manner until it's soft and free of lumps. Cut it into pencil-sized pieces. Place the first strip in the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to the next so that it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

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

After taking off the old putty, glazier points and any remnants Clean the frame thoroughly using an utility knife. If necessary you can lightly sand the wood along grooves of the rabbet to smooth out rough spots. If you decide to sand wood, protect it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

Write down the exact dimensions of the frame. These measurements can be brought to a home center or hardware store, and the new frame will be cut to a smaller size. This will ensure a tight fit and leave room for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and push it in using 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 points as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's point should be aligned with the top edge of your pane and the raised shoulders should be just below the lip.

Apply a thin layer glazing compound on the rabbet grooves and Repair My Windows And Doors edges of new glass. This will seal and protect the edges. Let it dry and cure completely.

When the glazing compound is dry and the glazing compound is dry, you can install the new window sash. First, coat the wood with a heavy coat of linseed oil. This will prevent the new putty from sucking up the moisture and deteriorating and cracking with time. Use a brush to apply this coat, or even the tip of the putty blade. Then, use the chisel on the back of the putty tool or the back of the putty handle to gently hit 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 thrown or a rock thrown in error, or a fallen tree could result in a broken or cracked window pane. Most windows can be replaced easily by putting in a new piece. The glass is held in place with tiny metal clips known as a glazier's point, and putty, which is often called 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 while doing this work. You'll need a heat gun if the window is glued into the frame.

If you plan to reinstall the original sash in the future, take care to remove the molding pieces that are used to secure the old pane. Then, sand the sash to ensure it's level and ready to be re-caulked. After the sash has been installed it is possible to 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 in the sash, which is where the glass is located. If they are hard to chisel, hold an instrument such as a heatgun over them for a few minutes to soften them. If you're using a heating gun, be careful not to cause damage to the railings or sash by using the tool too close.

Make 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 into a 1/2-inch thick. Place it into the rabbets where the glass will be placed. The glass must rest against the putty on both sides. If you need to gently tap your glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked you can fill it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk before pressing it into the sash. If not, you'll have to apply putty over the crack to create an airtight seal and keep water out. After the putty has dried and the film is oily, wipe it 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 form an effective seal and could discolor or leak in time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a damaged piece of glass. The truth is, replacing a single pane glass doesn't need to be costly when you do it on your own. In fact Repair My Windows And Doors with double panes can be replaced for a fraction of the cost of an expert.

If you are working with a large glass window first, ensure that it is securely attached to the frame. This job can be done relatively easy and fast using the appropriate tools and techniques.

When you are ready to start with the removal of the window replacement companies pane. Remove the metal glazing points that are attached to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles that function as "nails" which hold the window in place within the frame of wood. They are buried beneath a bead or glazing glue that sets to form a solid wedge that holds the frame in place and conceals the edges.

After removal of the old pane clean the frame and the wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used and sand the rabbet grooves in which 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 then apply a layer of flax oil. This will help prolong the life of the frame.

The next step is to measure the dimensions of the window's opening. You will need to take horizontal and vertical measurements of the entire opening, as well as the thickness of the old pane. To determine the exact dimensions 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 change. Bring these measurements to a hardware or home improvement store and have a piece 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.