How to Replace Window Pane Window Panes

A damaged window pane could cause a lot of trouble. It can 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.

You can do it yourself for a less than what it would cost to hire an expert. It requires the right equipment and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

Replace your single-paned windows with tempered or insulate glass to improve the efficiency of your energy, reduce noise, and preserve the historical integrity of your old home. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can repair a window pane. You will also need an additional window pane, glazier's tips, pliers, and latex glazing putty. If needed, you can make use of a heat gun to warm the old putty. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to beginning. Working with broken glass could result in serious injuries.

Remove any broken glass pieces remaining. It is recommended to use pliers for this however a flathead could work as well. After that, use a wood chisel or putty knife take the remainder of the old putty from the frame and sash. Take your time and work slowly and be careful not to damage the old window sash. This should be done on a ladder, not on the ground. Also, Replace Window Pane you should have someone lower to ensure it is held steady.

Make sure that the window frame is ready to accommodate the new pane after you have removed the old glue. Find the width and the height of the opening for the sash, subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). These measurements can be taken to a hardware or home center store to get a piece cut of glass stock to the proper size. You can cut the glass yourself if you have the right tools.

After putting in the new pane After installing the new pane, apply a small amount of caulking around the edge to seal it against weather. Then, place a glazier's tip on the frame's opposite side to secure the pane into place. The points shouldn't be too tight that they create friction between the sash and the frame however they shouldn't 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. The first strip should be glued to the corner of the frame. Work from corner to corner, making sure it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular pieces that help secure glass window replacement into a window frame without scratching or damaging the delicate surface. It's easy to understand how to use this secret tool, and you'll be able to save money on the cost of an expert installation.

Once the old putty and the glazier's point are gone, thoroughly clean the frame with a knife to get rid of any remaining traces. If needed, lightly sand the wood along rabbet grooves to smooth out rough spots. If you sand wood, protect it with painter’s tape to protect it from damage caused by accidental sanding.

Take measurements of the empty frame and note down precise measurements. These measurements can be taken to an hardware or home centers store, and the new frame will be cut to a smaller size. This will ensure that the pane fits snugly and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new window in the frame and press it in place with your hand. Then, use the tip of your chisel, or the back of the putty knife to pierce the glazier's points as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's points should be in line with the top edge of the pane and the shoulders should be just beneath that lip.

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. Let it dry and cure completely.

Install the new window sash once the glazing compound has dried. The first step is to coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will keep the new putty from sucking up the moisture and drying out and cracking over time. Apply the coating using a brush 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 rabbet grooves. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A hurled baseball, an errant rock or falling branch could cause a window pane to break or crack. Most windows can be replaced easily by putting in a new piece. 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 replacement pane, first take out the old one and clean the area with the help of a rag, the pull-type paint scraper or a wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses when working. If the window is glued to the frame, you'll have to use a heat gun to soften the adhesive before prying it free.

If you're planning to reinstall your original sash, remove the molding that supports the old pane. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready to receive new caulk. After the sash has been installed it is possible to apply a silicone caulk on the glass. This will ensure that it won't get soiled or replace Window pane discolor over time.

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets, or the grooves in the sash, where the glass is. If they're hard to chisel out, you can try holding the hand tool, such as a heat gun to soften them first. When using a heated tool, be sure to not scratch the sash's railings and sash.

Create the bed for your new pane after removing the old glaze and putty. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, and form it to be about 1/2-inch thick. Then, you can press it into the rabbets where the glass will rest. It is crucial that the glass sits on the putty in all places on both sides If you have to do so, gently tap the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack you can fill it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk before pressing it into the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you'll need to apply putty to keep water from getting in. After the putty has dried then clean the oily film off the glass using a rag and allow it to dry completely prior to painting. If you paint before the putty has completely dry, it will not form an effective seal and could leak or discolor in time.

Paint

If you've had a broken window pane, you may be worried about the cost of a new one. However, replacing a single glass pane doesn't require a huge amount of money if you do it yourself. In fact, even a double glazing replacement windows-pane window can be replaced at a fraction of the cost of a professional.

First, if you're working on a large window, ensure that it is securely fastened to the frame. Using the proper tools and techniques you can make this task relatively easy and quick.

If you're ready to begin with the removal of the old window pane by prying out the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. These are essentially small metal triangles that function as "nails" that hold the window in in the wood frame. They are submerged beneath a glaze putty or bead which hardens into a solid wedge that holds the frame securely in place and hides the points.

After removing the old pane, clean the frame and wood. Scrape off any old paint and sand the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were. These should be sanded to the point of being bare, to allow you to paint them the same color as the rest the frame. After sanding the wood, 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 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 a precise size for the new pane. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. You can bring these measurements to a hardware store or home improvement shop and get 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.