How to Replace Window Panes

A cracked window pane is an inconvenience. It could also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows and reap benefits like greater comfort, a higher the value of resales and lower utility costs.

It's a task you can do yourself for a fraction of the cost of hiring an expert. You only need the appropriate tools and a few hours of your time.

Glass

replace Window Pane your single-paned windows using tempered or insulate glass to improve the efficiency of your energy, reduce noise, and protect the original character of your older home. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can replace the window pane. In addition to a replacement pane, the following components are required such as latex glazing putty; pliers, glazier's points and a heat gun for warming the old putty, if needed. Before beginning, wear protective gloves and goggles since working with broken glass can cause injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. This can be done with the help of pliers however, a flathead screwdriver may be effective in a pinch. Make use of a wood chisel or putty knives to remove any old putty remaining around the frame and the window sash. Be careful not to break the window sash. Work slowly and carefully. It is recommended to do this using a sturdy ladder instead of the ground and to have someone stand below the sash in order to help hold it in place.

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 opening in the sash and subtract 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 have cut a piece of glass that is in stock to the correct size. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself, if you have the tools you need.

After putting in the new pane, run a small bead of caulking around the edges to seal it against weather. Then, you can install a glazier's pointing on each side of the frame to hold the pane in the right place. The points should not be so tight as to cause friction between the sash and the frame however they shouldn't be too loose.

Before putting the putty on, make sure to knead it until it's soft and free of lumps. Make it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be placed in the corner of the frame, working from one corner to the next to ensure it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are tiny triangular pieces of metal that allow glass to be secured to the frame without causing damage to the delicate surface. It's simple to learn how to use this secret tool, and you'll save money on the expense of an installation by a professional.

Once the old putty and the glazier's points have been removed, thoroughly clean the frame with a utility knife to remove any remaining traces. If necessary you can lightly sand the wood along rabbet grooves to smooth rough areas. If you do sand your wood, be sure to protect it by using painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Write down the exact dimensions of the frame. Bring these measurements to a hardware store or a home center and request that the new pane cut smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a secure fit and leave room for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane in the frame and push it in place with your hand. Utilize the point of the chisel or the back of the putty blade to smudge the glazier's points, as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's points should sit in line with the top edge of your pane, and the raised shoulders should be just below the lip.

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

Once the glazing compound has dried it's time to put in the new window sash. First, coat the wood with a heavy coat of linseed oil. This will prevent the new putty from sucking up moisture and drying out and cracking with time. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or the point of the blade. Then, use the chisel on the back of the putty tool or the back of the putty handle to gently smash the new sash or glazier's point into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process every 10 inches around the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A hurled baseball or an unintentional rock, or a fallen branch can cause a window pane to break or crack. Fortunately, the majority of windows can be easily replaced by simply putting a new piece in the right place. The glass is held into the position with a tiny metal clip, also known as a glazier's point and putty. This compound is also called glazing compound. Before installing a replacement pane, first take out the old one and clean the area using the help of a rag, a pull-type paint scraper or a wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves while working. You'll require a heat gun when the window is fixed to the frame.

If you are planning to install the original sash, take off the mold that holds the old pane. Then you can sand the sash down to ensure it's level and ready for a new caulk. Once the sash is reinstalled, you can apply a silicone caulk to the glass. This will ensure that it won't be leaking or fade over time.

Take out the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash, where the glass is located. If they're difficult to cut out, try holding the hand tool, such as a heat gun over them to soften them up first. If you're using a heating gun, be cautious not to cause damage to the sash or its railings by holding the tool too tightly.

After the old glaze points and putty are removed, prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your fingers and make it about 1/2 inch thick. Press it into the rabbets, where the glass will be put. The glass must be positioned against the putty on both sides. If needed, lightly tap your glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can apply a silicone caulk or a glass glue that is based on solvents to cover the crack before pressing it into the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you'll require putty to keep water out. After the putty has dried clean the oily film off the glass and allow it to dry completely before you paint. If you paint before the putty is completely dry, it won't form an effective seal and could leak or discolor in time.

Paint

If you've experienced a broken window pane, you might be worried about the expense of replacing it. However, replacing one glass pane does not have to break the bank If you can do it yourself. In fact windows with double glazed replacement windows panes can be replaced for a fraction of the cost of an expert.

If you're working with a large glass window first ensure it is securely fixed to the frame. With the right tools and techniques you can complete this task easily and quick.

When you are ready to begin, remove the old window pane. Pry out the metal glazing points attached to it. These are tiny metal triangles which act as "nails" to hold the window in the frame. They are submerged beneath a layer of glazing putty, which hardens into a solid, moulded wedge that holds the window firmly in place and hides the points.

After you have the old pane removed, clean up the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape away any old 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 the wood then apply a layer of flax oil. This will help to prolong the life of the frame.

The next step is to measure the dimensions of the window's opening. It is necessary to take vertical and horizontal measurements of the entire opening, as well as the thickness of the old pane. To get the exact size of the new pane subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. You can bring these measurements to a hardware or home improvement store and 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 replace window pane air from leaking into the frame and causing fogging.