How to Replace Window Pane Window Panes

A damaged window pane can be a nuisance. It can also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows, and benefit from greater comfort, a higher resale value and reduced utility costs.

This is a project you could do yourself for only a fraction of the cost of hiring a professional. You only need the appropriate tools and a few minutes of your time.

Glass

If your single pane windows are old, deteriorating or broken replacing them with more modern insulated or tempered glass can improve energy efficiency and reduce noise while also preserving the historical integrity of older homes. The procedure of replacing windows is easy and can be accomplished by homeowners with basic hand tools. In addition to a replacement pane, the following items are needed for the replacement process: latex glazing putty pliers, glazier's points and the use of a heat gun to warm the old putty, if necessary. Wear safety glasses and gloves before you begin. Working with broken glass could cause serious injuries.

Take out any broken glass pieces that remain. This is best accomplished with the help of pliers but flathead screwdrivers can work in a pinch. Utilize a wood chisel or putty knives, to take away any remaining old putty around the frame and window sash. Be careful to not break the window sash. Work slowly and carefully. It is recommended to do this using a sturdy ladder rather than on the ground and to place someone on the sash in order to help hold it in place.

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

After putting in the new glass Apply caulking on the edges. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then install a glazier's point on each side of the frame to secure the pane in place. The points shouldn't be so tight that they cause friction between the frame and sash however they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty on the surface, knead thoroughly until it becomes soft and free from lumps. Roll it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be glued to the corner of the frame. Work from corner to corner to ensure it's even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are tiny triangular pieces of metal that help secure the glass to the frame without causing any damage to the fragile surface. Knowing how to use these hidden little helpers is easy and can save you money on a professional installation or the cost of new glass.

After taking off the old putty, glazier points and any leftovers, clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife. If necessary it is necessary to lightly sand the wood along grooves of the rabbet to smooth rough areas. If you sand wood, cover it with painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

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

Insert the new pane into the frame and push it in using your hands. Then, use the tip of your chisel or 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 in line with the top edge of the pane and the shoulders raised should be just beneath that lip.

Apply a thin layer 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 and cure completely.

Install the new window sash after the glazing compound has dried. First, coat the wood with a heavy coat of Linseed oil. This will stop the new putty from soaking up moisture and drying out and cracking over time. Apply this coat with a brush or the tip of your knife, and then use the chisel, or the back end from the putty knife to gently press the new sash and glazier's tips into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.

Putty

A hurled baseball or an unintentional rock, or a fallen branch can cause a window to crack or break. The majority of windows can be replaced by installing a new piece. The glass is held in place by a small metal clip called the glazier's pointed and putty, which is often called glazing compound. Before installing a replacement pane, first remove the old one and clean the area using the help of a rag, an abrasive scraper that is a pull type or a wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while working. You'll require a heat gun if the window is glued to the frame.

If you are planning to install your original sash, you must remove the molding that holds the old pane. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready to receive new caulk. Once the sash is reinstalled, you can apply a silicone caulk over the glass. This will ensure that it doesn't leak over time or discolor.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets. These are the grooves in the sash, which is where the glass is. If they're hard to chisel out, try holding an instrument like a heat gun to soften them before you do. When using a heat tool, be sure to not damage the sash and its railings.

After the old glaze points and putty have been removed prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, forming it to be about 1/2-inch thick. Place it into the rabbets where the glass will be put. The glass must rest against the putty on both sides. If you need to you want to tap your glass lightly into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can cover it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk before pressing it into the sash. If not, you'll have to putty over the crack to create an impervious seal to keep water out. After the putty has dried remove the oily film off of the glass and let it dry completely before you paint. If you paint before the putty is completely dry, it won't create an effective seal and could leak or discolor over time.

Paint

If you've suffered a break in a window pane, then you may be concerned about the expense of replacing it. However, replacing a single glass pane doesn't have to break the bank when you do it yourself. In fact windows with double panes can be replaced at a fraction of the cost of a professional.

If you're working with large glass windows first ensure it is securely attached to the frame. This task can be made relatively simple and fast using the proper tools and techniques.

If you're ready to begin, begin by removing the old upvc window handle replacement pane by removing the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. These are tiny metal triangles which act as "nails" to hold the window in the frame. They are buried under a bead of glazing putty, which hardens into a solid, moulded wedge that holds the window firmly in place and hides the window's points.

After you have the old pane taken away, clean up the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used and sand down the rabbet grooves in which the glazing points were. These should be sanded down to bare wood, to allow you to paint them the same color as the rest of 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 determine the width of the window 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 that you have the exact size for 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 a piece 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.