How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window can be a source of frustration. This could be an opportunity to upgrade to energy-efficient windows or insulated ones to enjoy advantages like improved comfort, increased resale value and reduced utility bills.

You can do it yourself for a a fraction of what it would cost to employ an expert. You only need the right tools and a few minutes of your time.

Glass

Replace window pane your old single-paned windows with tempered insulate glass to improve energy efficiency, cut down on noise, and preserve the historic integrity of your older home. Most homeowners with basic hand tools can replace the window pane. You'll also require an extra window seal replacement pane, glazier's tips pliers, and latex glaze putty. If you need to, you can use a heating gun to warm the old putty. Before beginning, wear gloves and Replace window pane safety glasses as working with broken glass could cause injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. This can be done with a pair of pliers, but a flathead screwdriver can also be effective in a pinch. Then, use a wood chisel or putty knife to take the remainder of the old putty around the frame and the sash. Be careful and slow making sure not to break the current window sash. It is a good idea to work using a sturdy ladder rather than the ground and to have someone standing below the sash in order to help hold it in place.

Make sure that the window frame is ready to accommodate the new pane after you have removed the old putty. Measure the width and 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 a home center or hardware store to have cut a piece of glass stock to the proper size. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself if you have the appropriate tools.

After installing the new glass After installing the glass, apply a small amount of caulking on the edges. This will make the glass weatherproof. Install a glazier's pointing on both sides of the frame. This will secure the pane. The points should not be tight enough to cause friction between the frame and the sash However, they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty make sure to knead it until it is soft and free of lumps. Roll it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip to the corner of the frame. Work from one corner to the next, making sure it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular pieces of metal which help to secure the glass into the window frame without causing any damage to 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 as well as the glazier's points have been removed Clean the frame thoroughly with a utility knife to eliminate any remaining traces. If necessary it is necessary to lightly sand the wood along the grooves of the rabbets to smooth out rough areas. If you do sand your wood, be sure to protect it by using painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Measure the empty frame's dimensions and note down precise measurements. Take these dimensions to a hardware store or home center and request that the new pane cut slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a secure fit and leave room for expansion and replace window pane contraction.

Place the new pane in the frame and press it down using your hands. Utilize the chisel's point, or the back of the putty blade to smudge the glazier's points as shown in Figure 11. When you're done, they should be level with the top edge of the pane and the raised shoulders of the points should be below the lip of the rabbet groove.

Apply a thin bead of glazing compound on 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.

Once the glazing compound has dried it's time to put in the new window sash. First, you need to coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will prevent the newly-created putty from drying out and cracking when it absorbs moisture. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or the point of the blade. Then, use the chisel that is on the back of the putty tool or the back of the putty handle to gently hammer the new sash or glazier's point 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 branch falling could result in a broken or cracked window pane. Most windows can be replaced by installing a new piece. The glass is held in the position with a tiny metal clip, referred to as a glazier's point and putty. This compound is also referred to as glazing compound. Before you install a new pane, first remove the old one and clean up the area with the help of a rag, the pull-type paint scraper or an abrasive wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while working. You'll require a heat gun if the window is glued to the frame.

If you're planning to install the original sash in the future, take care to remove the molding pieces that secure the old pane. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready to receive new caulk. Once the sash is reinstalled then, you can 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, or the grooves in the sash where the glass is. If they're difficult to work out, you can try holding a hand tool like a heat gun over them to soften them before you do. When using a heated tool, make sure to not scratch the sash's railings and sash.

Prepare the bed for your new pane by removing the old putty and glazing points. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your hands, shaping it into a 1/2-inch thick. Then, you can press it into the rabbets in which the glass will rest. It is essential that the glass is positioned against the putty on both sides So if you have to tap it, gently press the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can cover it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk prior to pressing it into the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you will need to apply putty to keep the water out. After the putty has dried clean the oily film off of the glass and let it dry completely before you paint. Paint after the putty has dried completely. It will not make a strong seal and may be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

If you've had a broken window pane, you may be worried about the cost of replacing it. The truth is, replacing a single pane glass doesn't have to be expensive even if you do it your own. In fact, even a double-pane window can be replaced at only a fraction of the cost of a professional.

First, if you're working on a large window, ensure that it is securely fixed to the frame. By using the correct tools and techniques to accomplish this task fairly easily and quick.

If you're ready to begin taking off the old window by removing the glazing points made of metal that are connected to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles which function as "nails" that hold the window in place in the wood frame. They are buried beneath a layer of glazing putty, which hardens into a solid, molded wedge that holds the window firmly in place and hides the window's points.

After removal of the old pane clean the frame and wood. Scrape off any old paint and sand the rabbet grooves that 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 the sanding process, apply a coat of flax oil to the wood's surface to help extend its lifespan.

The next step is to determine the size of the window's opening. You'll need to determine the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the entire opening as well as the thickness. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure you have the exact size replacement handles for windows the new pane. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. Bring these measurements to a hardware or home improvement store, and they will 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.