How to Replace Window Panes

A cracked window pane can be a nuisance. It could also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows and enjoy benefits such as greater comfort, a higher resale value and reduced utility costs.

It's a project you can tackle yourself at a fraction of the cost of hiring a professional. You only need the right tools and a few hours of your time.

Glass

Replace your old single-paned windows with tempered or insulation glass to improve energy efficiency, cut down on noise, and preserve the historic integrity of your home's older. The majority of homeowners with basic hand tools can replace window pane windows with ease. You'll also require an additional window pane, glazier's suggestions, pliers, and latex glazing putty. If necessary you may make use of a heat gun to warm the old putty. Before starting, wear gloves and safety goggles as working with broken glass can cause injuries.

Remove any broken glass pieces remaining. This is best accomplished with pliers, however, a flathead screwdriver may be used in a pinch. Then, use a wooden chisel or putty knife remove the rest of the old putty from the frame and sash. Be careful not to scratch the window sash. Be careful and slow. It is a good idea 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.

Prepare the window frame to accommodate the new pane when you have removed the old putty. 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 find a piece glass cut to size. You can also cut the glass by yourself if you have the right tools.

After putting the new pane in place, run a small bead of caulking around the edges to make it weatherproof. Install a glazier’s point on both sides of the frame. This will ensure the pane. The points should not be tight enough to create friction between the frame and the sash, but they should also not be loose.

Before applying the putty on the surface, you must knead it thoroughly until it becomes soft and free from lumps. Cut it into pencil-sized pieces. Apply the first strip to the corner of the frame. Work from one corner to the next and ensure that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are the tiny triangular pieces of steel 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 secret tool and you can save money on the expense of a professional installation.

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

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

Place the new pane into the frame and press it into the frame using your hand. Use the point of the chisel, or the back of the putty knife to tap in the glazier's points, as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's points should sit aligned with the top edge of the pane and the raised shoulders should be just beneath that lip.

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

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

Putty

A hurled baseball, an errant rock or a fallen branch can cause a window to break or crack. The majority of windows can be repaired easily by simply putting in a fresh piece. The glass is held in place by small clips made of metal called the glazier's pointed and putty, also called glazing compound. Before installing a new pane, first take out the old one and clean the area using the help of a rag, an abrasive scraper that is a pull type or an abrasive wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while doing this work. If the window is attached to the frame, you'll need use a heat gun to soften the adhesive prior to prying it free.

If you are planning to reinstall the original sash, take off the molding that holds the old pane. Sand the sash until it is flat and ready to receive new caulk. Once the sash is installed it is possible to apply a silicone caulk over the glass. This will ensure that it doesn't leak over time or discolor.

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets, the grooves in the sash, where the glass sits. If they are hard to chisel, use a hand tool such as a heatgun over them to soften first. When using a heat tool, be careful to avoid damaging the sash or its railings.

After the old points of glazing and putty have been removed, prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your hands, shaping it into a 1/2-inch thick. Then, press it into the rabbets, where the glass will be. The glass should rest against the putty on both sides. If necessary, lightly tap your glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has cracked, you can use a silicone caulk or a glass glue 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 out. After the putty has dried then clean the oily film off the glass using the help of a rag. Allow it to completely dry before painting. Paint after the putty is completely dry. It won't create a solid seal and may discolor or leak over time.

Paint

If you've had a broken window pane, you might be worried about the expense of replacing it. However, replacing a single glass pane doesn't have to break the bank If you can do it yourself. Even double glazing replacement window-paned windows can be replaced at a fraction of the cost it would cost a professional.

First, if you're working on a large-sized window, ensure that it is securely attached to the frame. This task can be done relatively easy and fast with the proper tools and techniques.

When you're ready to start, begin by removing the old window by removing the glazing points of metal that are connected to it. These are small metal triangles which act as "nails", holding the window in the frame. They are submerged beneath a bead or glazing putty that hardens to solid wedge that holds the frame in place and hides the points.

Once you have the old pane taken away clean the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used and sand down the rabbet grooves that the glazing points were placed. Sand them to bare wooden surfaces, allowing you to paint the frames with the same shade. After sanding, apply a layer of flax oil to the wood's surface to prolong its life.

The next step is to measure the dimensions of the window opening. You will need to measure the horizontal and vertical 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 allow for seasonal changes in the glass. You can take these measurements to a hardware store or home improvement shop and have the glass cut replacement handles For Upvc Windows, www.chumphonburihos.com, 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 Replacement Handles For UPVC Windows 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.