How to Replace Window Panes

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

It's a task you can do yourself for less than the cost of hiring a professional. You'll only require the right tools and a few hours of your time.

Glass

replace window Pane your single-paned windows with tempered insulate glass to improve energy efficiency, cut down on noise, and maintain the historic integrity of your home's older. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can repair windows with ease. You will also require an extra window pane, glazier's tips, pliers, and latex glazing putty. If you need to you can use a heatgun to warm the old putty. Before starting, put on gloves and safety goggles as working with broken glass may cause injuries.

Take out any broken glass pieces remaining. This can be done with a pair of pliers, however, a flathead screwdriver may work in the pinch. After that, use a wood chisel or putty knife to take the remainder of the old putty from around the frame and sash. Be careful and slow, taking care not to break the current window sash. It is recommended to work on a sturdy ladder rather than on the ground and to place someone on the sash in order to help hold it steady.

Once you've removed all the old putty, it is time to prepare the window frame to accommodate the new pane. Find the width and the height of the sash opening by subtracting 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 a piece cut of glass that is in stock to the correct size. You can also cut the glass by yourself if you possess the right tools.

After installing the glass Apply a small amount of 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 place. The points should not be tight enough to create friction between the frame and the sash however they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty make sure to knead it until it's soft and free of lumps. Cut it into pencil-sized pieces. 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 tiny triangular pieces of metal that help secure the glass into the window frame without causing any damage to the fragile surface. Learning 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 the old putty and glazier's points are removed, thoroughly clean the frame with a utility knife to remove any remaining traces. If necessary, lightly sand the wood along the grooves of the rabbet to smooth out rough spots. If you do sand your wood, be sure to protect it by using painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Take the dimensions of the frame and write down accurate measurements. Take these dimensions to a hardware store or a 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 into the frame and press it down using your hands. Make use of the chisel's point, or the back of the putty knife to tap the glazier's points, as shown in Figure 11. The glazier's points should be in line with the top edge of your pane, and the raised shoulders should be just below that lip.

Apply a thin bead of glazing compound over the edges of the glass that has been made and into the rabbet grooves to seal and protect them. Let it dry and cure completely.

Install the new window sash when the glazing compound has dried. First, coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will stop the new putty drying out or cracking as it absorbs moisture. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or the tip of the putty blade. Then, use the chisel on the back of the tool or the back of the putty handle to gently hit the new sash, or glazier's tip into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches along the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A baseball that is thrown, an errant rock or a fallen branch can cause a window to break or crack. Luckily, most windows can be repaired by simply placing a new piece of glass in its place. The glass is held in place using small clips made of metal called a glazier's point and putty, which is often called glazing compound. Before installing a new pane, first get rid of the old one and clean the area with the help of a rag, the pull-type paint scraper or a wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves while working. You'll need a heat gun if the window is glued into the frame.

If you're planning to install the original sash, gently remove any pieces of molding that are used to secure the old pane. Then, sand the sash to ensure it's level and ready replacement handles for upvc windows a new caulk. Once the sash is re-installed, apply a new silicone caulk around the glass to ensure it won't leak or discolor as time passes.

Remove the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash, which is where the glass is. If they're difficult to cut out, try holding the hand tool, such as a heat gun to soften them first. When using a heated tool, make sure to not damage the sash or its railings.

After the old points of glazing and putty are removed, make a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your fingers and then make it about 1/2 inch thick. Press it into the rabbets where the glass will be put. The glass must rest 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 has cracked, you can apply a silicone caulk or glass glue that is based on solvents to seal the crack prior to pressing it in the sash. Otherwise, you'll need to putty over the crack to form a tight seal and keep water out. When the putty dries, clean the oily film off the glass with a rag and allow it to dry completely prior to painting. Paint after the putty has dried completely. It will not make a strong seal and could discolor or leak over time.

Paint

If you've suffered a break in a window pane, you might be worried about the cost of a new one. In reality, replacing a single pane of glass doesn't need to be expensive if you do it on your own. Even a double-paned window can be replaced for a fraction of what it would cost for a professional.

First, if you're working on a large window, make sure it is securely attached to the frame. With the right tools and replace window pane techniques, you can make this task relatively easy and fast.

When you are ready to begin, remove the old window pane. Pry out the metal glazing points attached to it. These are small metal triangles which act as "nails", holding the window within the frame. They are placed under a bead or glazing glue that sets to form solid wedge that holds the frame firmly in position and hides the points.

After removal of the old pane clean the frame and the wood. Scrape off any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves, where the glazing points were. These should be sanded down to bare wood, so that you can paint them the same color as the rest the frame. After sanding, apply a layer of flax oil to the wood that is not sanded down to extend the life of the frame.

Then, take measurements of the dimensions of the window's opening. You'll need to determine 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 seasonal change. Take these dimensions to the hardware or home improvement store, and they will 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.