How to Replace Window Panes

A cracked window pane is an inconvenience. This could be an opportunity to upgrade to energy-efficient windows or insulated ones to enjoy benefits such as improved comfort, increased resale values and reduced utility bills.

It's a project you can take on yourself for only a fraction of the cost of hiring a professional. 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 energy efficiency, reduce noise, and maintain the original character of your older home. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can replace Window pane the window pane. You'll also require a replacement window pane, glazier's tips pliers, and latex glazing putty. If needed you can use a heating gun to warm the old putty. Before starting, wear gloves and safety goggles as working with broken glass could cause injuries.

Remove any broken glass pieces remaining. This is best accomplished with the help of pliers though using a flathead screwdriver may be used in the pinch. Then, use a wooden chisel or putty knife to take the remainder of the old putty from the frame and the sash. Be careful and slow and be careful not to damage the old window sash. It is a good idea to work on a sturdy ladder rather than the ground and to have someone stand below the sash to help hold it in place.

Once you have removed all of the old putty, it is time to prepare the window frame to accommodate the new pane. Find the width and the height of the sash opening and subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). Take these measurements to an hardware store or home center, and get a piece of stock glass cut to size. You can cut the glass yourself if you possess the appropriate tools.

After installing the new pane, run a small bead of caulking along the edge to make it weatherproof. Then, you can install a glazier's pointing on the frame's opposite side to secure the pane in place. The points should not be so tight that they cause friction between the sash and the frame, but they also should not be too loose.

Before applying the putty on the surface, you must knead it thoroughly until it becomes soft and free from lumps. Then, roll it into pencil-size strips. Apply the first strip in the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to another so that it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

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

After removing the old putty, glazier points and any remnants Clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife. If needed you can lightly sand the wood along the grooves of the rabbets to smooth rough spots. If you sand wood protect it with painter’s tape to protect it from damage caused by accidental sanding.

Measure the empty frame's dimensions and record precise measurements. Take these dimensions to a hardware store or a home center, and have the new pane cut smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a tight fit and leave room for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and push it into the frame by using your hands. Make use of the point of the chisel or the edge of the putty blade to tap the glazier's points as illustrated in Figure 11. After you're done, the points should be in line with the top edge of the pane and the shoulders that are raised of the points should be just below the rabbet's lip. groove.

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

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 new putty from taking up the moisture and Replace window Pane 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 tool or the back of the putty handle to gently hit the new sash, or glazier's tip into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown or a rock thrown by error or a branch falling can result in a cracked or cracked window. The majority of windows can be replaced easily by putting in a new piece. The glass is held into the position with a tiny metal clip, called a glazier’s point and putty. This compound is also known as glazing compound. Before installing a replacement pane, first remove the old one and clean the area using the help of a rag, a pull-type paint scraper or an abrasive wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while you do this work. If the window is glued to the frame, you'll need to make use of a heat gun to soften the adhesive before taking it off.

If you're planning to install the original sash, remove the molding pieces that hold the old pane in place. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready to receive new caulk. After the sash has been re-installed, apply a new silicone caulk to the glass to ensure it won't leak or discolor 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 hard to chisel, use a hand tool like a heat gun over them to allow them to soften before. When using a heat tool, be sure to avoid damaging the sash's railings and sash.

After the old glaze points and putty have been removed, prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your hands, forming it to be around 1/2-inch thick. Press it into the rabbets where the glass will be placed. It is crucial that the glass rests against the putty in all places on both sides If you have to, lightly tap the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane is damaged, you can use a silicone caulk or a glass glue that is based on solvents to seal the crack before pressing it in the sash. In other cases, you'll need to apply putty on the crack to form a tight seal and keep water out. After the putty has dried, clean the oily film off the glass with a rag and allow it to dry completely prior to painting. If you paint before the putty is fully dry, it will not form a solid seal and could be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a broken piece of glass. But the truth is that replacing a single glass pane doesn't need to cost a fortune when you do it yourself. Even a double glazed windows replacement-paned window can be replaced for a fraction of the price it costs an expert.

First, if you are working on a large window, ensure that it is securely attached to the frame. By using the correct tools and techniques, you can make this task relatively easy and quick.

When you are ready to begin taking down the old window pane. Pry out the metal glazing points attached to it. These are tiny metal triangles which act as "nails" that hold the window in the frame. They are placed under a bead or glazing glue which hardens into solid wedge which holds the wood frame firmly in position and hides the sharp edges.

After you have removed the old pane removed, clean up the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used, and sand the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were placed. Sand them down to bare wooden surfaces so you can paint the frames with the same color. After sanding the wood, apply a layer of flax oil. This will help to extend its life.

Next, measure the dimensions of the window opening. You'll need to take horizontal and vertical measurements of the entire opening and also the thickness of the old pane. To get the exact size of the new pane, subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass in times of seasonal changes. 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 air from leaking into the frame and causing fogging.