How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane can be a nuisance. This could be an opportunity to upgrade to energy-efficient windows or insulated ones and enjoy advantages like improved comfort, higher resale value and reduced utility bills.

You can do it yourself at only a fraction of the cost it would cost to employ an expert. 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 modern insulated or tempered glass can increase energy efficiency and decrease noise while maintaining the historical integrity of older homes. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can repair windows with ease. You will also require an extra window pane, glazier's suggestions, pliers, and latex glaze putty. If you need to, you can use a heating gun to warm the old putty. Wear safety glasses and gloves prior to beginning. Working with broken glass can cause serious injuries.

Take away any broken glass pieces remaining. This is best done using pliers, though using flathead screwdrivers can be effective in the pinch. Make use of a wood chisel or putty knife to get rid of any old putty that remains around the frame and replacement double glazed window window handle (please click the next document) sash. Take your time and work slowly, taking care not to damage the old window sash. It is best to do this on a stable ladder instead of the ground and to have someone stand below the sash in order to help hold it in place.

Prepare the window frame to receive the new pane once you have removed the old glue. Measure the width and height of the opening for the sash and subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). Take these measurements to the nearest hardware store or home center and Replacement Window Handle find a piece glass cut to size. You can also cut the glass by yourself if you possess the right tools.

After installing the glass Apply caulking around the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then, you can install a glazier's pointing on each side of the frame to hold the pane in its place. The points shouldn't be so tight that they cause friction between the frame and sash, but they should also not be loose.

Before putting the putty on, work it in a gentle manner until it's soft and free of lumps. Then make it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be glued to the corner of the frame. Work from one corner to the next and ensure that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's facets are small triangular pieces of metal which help to secure glass into a window frame without scratching or damaging the fragile surface. Learning how to use these hidden tiny pieces of help is simple and could save you money on professional installation or the cost of purchasing new glass.

After the old putty and glazier's points are removed and the frame is thoroughly cleaned with a knife to eliminate any remaining traces. Lightly sand the wood into the rabbet grooves to smooth out rough areas. If you do sand your wood, ensure you protect it by using painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Write down the exact dimensions of the frame. These measurements can be taken to an hardware or home centers store, and the new pane will be cut a bit smaller. This will ensure that the pane fits comfortably and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and press it into the frame by using your hands. Utilize the chisel's point or the back of the putty blade to tap in the glazier's points as shown in Figure 11. After you're done, the points should be level with the top edge of the pane and the shoulders of the points should be just below the rabbet's rim groove.

Apply a thin bead of glazing compound over the edges of the new glass and into the rabbet grooves to seal and protect them. Let it dry and cure completely.

Once the glazing compound has dried and the glazing compound is dry, you can install the new window sash. The first step is to coat the wood with a heavy coat of Linseed oil. This will stop the new putty from sucking up moisture and deteriorating and cracking with time. Use a brush to apply this coat, or the point of the blade. Then, use the chisel that is on the back of the tool or the back of the handle to gently smash the new sash or glazier's point into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A hurled baseball, an errant rock or falling branch could cause a window to break or crack. Most windows can be repaired easily by installing a new piece. The glass is held in place by a small metal clip, also known as a glazier's point and putty. This compound is also known as glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area with a rag, a pull-type scraper or wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while doing this work. You'll need a heat gun in the event that the window is glued to the frame.

If you are planning to replace your original sash, you must remove the mold that holds the old pane. Then sand the sash to make sure it's flat and ready to be re-caulked. Once the sash is re-installed and sanded, replacement window handle apply a fresh silicone caulk around the glass to ensure that it will not leak or change color in time.

Remove the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves in the sash, where the glass is. If they're difficult to work out, you can try holding an instrument like a heat gun over them to soften them up first. When using a heated tool, be sure to avoid damaging the sash or its railings.

Once the old glaze points and putty are removed, make a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your fingers and make it around 1/2 inch thick. Then, you can press it into the rabbets where the glass will be. It is essential that the glass rests against the putty on each side So if you have to, lightly tap the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack then you can seal it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk prior pressing it into the sash. Otherwise, you'll need to apply putty over the crack to create an airtight seal and keep water out. After the putty is dry, clean the oily film off the glass using the help of a rag. Allow it to dry completely before painting. Paint before the putty has dried completely. It will not make a strong seal and may be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a damaged piece of glass. It's true that replacing a single pane glass doesn't need to be expensive when you do it on your own. In fact even windows with double panes can be replaced for only a fraction of the cost of an expert.

First, if you're working on a large-sized window, make sure it is securely attached to the frame. This can be done relatively easy and quick with the appropriate tools and techniques.

When you are ready to begin, remove the old window pane. Remove the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. These are small metal triangles that act as "nails" to hold the window in the frame. They are placed beneath a layer of glazing putty that hardens into a solid, formed wedge that secures the window in place and hides the edges.

After taking off the old pane clean the frame and wood. Scrape off any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points used to be. They should be sanded to bare wood, to allow you to paint them the same shade as the rest of the frame. After sanding the wood you can apply a layer flax oil. This will help to prolong the life of the frame.

The next step is to determine the width of the window opening. You'll need to determine the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the entire opening, as well as the thickness. 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. Take these measurements to your local 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.