How to replace Window pane Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window can be a source of frustration. It could also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows and reap benefits like greater comfort, a higher resale value and reduced utility bills.

It's a task you can tackle yourself at less than the cost of hiring a professional. You only need the right tools and a few minutes of your time.

Glass

If your single pane windows are old damaged, cracked or deteriorating, replacing them with newer glass that is tempered or insulated can increase energy efficiency and decrease noise while maintaining the historic integrity of older homes. The majority of homeowners with basic hand tools can repair the window pane. In addition to a replacement pane, the following components are needed: latex glazing putty; pliers, glazier's points and an electric heater to warm the old putty, if necessary. Wear safety glasses and gloves prior to starting. Working with broken glass can cause serious injuries.

Remove any broken glass pieces remaining. It is best to use pliers for this however a flathead could be useful as well. Utilize a wood chisel or putty knives to remove any old putty that remains around the frame and window sash. Be careful not to break the window sash. Be careful and slow. This can be done best on a ladder, not the ground. Also, ensure that someone on the ground to keep it in place.

Prepare the window frame to receive the new pane when you have removed the old putty. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction and contraction, subtract 1/8 inch from the measurements of width and height. These measurements can be sent to a hardware or home center store to get a piece cut of stock glass to the right size. You can also cut the glass yourself, if you have the right tools.

After installing the glass, apply some caulking to the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Install a glazier’s point on both sides of the frame. This will ensure the pane. The points shouldn't be too tight that they cause friction between the frame and the sash, but they should also not be loose.

Before applying the putty, make sure to knead it until it's soft and free of lumps. Then, roll it into pencil-size strips. Place the first strip to the corner of the frame, working from one corner to another to ensure it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are the small triangular pieces of metal that allow glass to be secured into a window frame without scratching or damaging the delicate surface. Understanding how to use these hidden little helpers is easy and could save you money on a professional installation or the cost of purchasing new glass.

After taking off the old putty, glazier points as well as any remaining leftovers, clean the frame thoroughly using an utility knife. Lightly sand the frame in the rabbet grooves, if necessary, to smooth rough areas. If you decide to sand the wood, ensure you protect it by using painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Take measurements of the empty frame and write down accurate measurements. Take these dimensions to a hardware store or home center and request that the new pane cut smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure that the pane fits snugly and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane in the frame and press it down with your hands. Then use the point of your chisel or the back end of the putty knife to make a tap on the glazier's points, as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's points should be aligned with the top edge of your pane and the raised shoulders should be just beneath that lip.

Apply a thin layer glazing compound on the rabbet grooves and the edges of the glass. This will seal and protect the edges. Allow it to dry completely and cure.

Install the new window sash after the glazing compound has dried. The first step is to coat the wood with a heavy coat of linseed oil. This will stop the new putty from taking up moisture and drying out and cracking over time. Apply this coat using a brush or the tip of your knife, and then employ the chisel or back end of the knife to gently hammer in the new sash and glazier's tips into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball hit, a rock thrown in error, or a fallen tree could result in a broken or cracked window. Fortunately, the majority of windows can be repaired by simply putting a brand new piece of glass in its place. The glass is held in place by a small metal clip, referred to as a glazier's point and putty. This compound is also known as glazing compound. Before you install a new pane, first get rid of the old one and clean the area with the help of a rag, a pull-type paint scraper or the wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves when working. If the window is glued to the frame, you'll have to make use of a heat gun to soften the adhesive before prying it free.

If you're planning to install the original sash, remove the molding pieces that are used to secure the old pane. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready to receive new caulk. After the sash has been re-installed and sanded, apply a fresh silicone caulk around the glass to ensure that it doesn't swell or fade as time passes.

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets, the grooves in the sash that the glass is. If they're difficult to chisel, hold an instrument like a heat gun over them to allow them to soften before. If you're using a heat gun, be careful not to cause damage to the railings or sash by placing the tool too tightly.

After the old glazing points and putty have been removed make a bed for the new pane. 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 you need to gently tap your glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack then you can seal it with a solvent-based glass glue or silicone caulk prior pressing it into the sash. If not, you'll have to apply putty on the crack to form an impervious seal to keep water out. After the putty has dried, clean the oily film off the glass using an abrasive and allow it to dry completely prior to painting. If you paint before the putty is fully dry, it won't form an effective seal and could discolor or leak over time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a damaged piece of glass. But the truth is that replacing one glass pane does not require a huge amount of money when you do it yourself. In fact, even a double-pane window can be replaced for less than the cost of an expert.

If you're working with large glass windows first ensure it is securely fixed to the frame. This job can be made relatively simple and quick with the appropriate tools and techniques.

When you are ready to begin, remove the old window pane. Pry out the metal glazing points attached to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles which function as "nails" that keep the window in within the frame of wood. They are submerged beneath a layer of glazing putty that is then cured to form a solid, molded wedge which holds the window in place and hides the window's points.

After removal of the old pane clean the frame and the wood. Scrape off any old paint, and sand the rabbet grooves in which the glazing points were. These should be sanded down to bare wood, Replace Window Pane to allow you to paint them the same shade as the rest of the frame. After sanding, apply a layer of flax oil on the wood that is not sanded down to extend the life of the frame.

Next, measure the dimensions of the window opening. It is necessary 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. Take these dimensions to a hardware or home improvement store, and they will have cut the glass for you.

Now, it's time to bed the new window glass replacement 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.