How to Replace Window Pane window glass replacement Panes

A damaged window pane could cause a lot of trouble. This can be an opportunity to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones to enjoy benefits like increased comfort, higher resale value and reduced utility bills.

It's a task you can do yourself for a fraction of the cost of hiring a professional. You only need the proper tools and a few minutes of your time.

Glass

Replace your single-paned windows with tempered insulate glass to improve energy efficiency, cut down on noise, and protect the historical integrity of your home's older. The process of replacing a window pane is relatively easy and can be completed by anyone with basic hand tools. In addition to a new pane, the following tools are required: latex glazing putty; Glazier's points; pliers and a heat gun for warming the old putty, if necessary. Before starting, put on gloves and safety goggles as working with broken glass can cause injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. It is best to use pliers, but a flathead can be used as well. Utilize a wood chisel or putty knives to remove any old putty remaining around the frame and window sash. Work slowly and carefully, taking care not to damage the old window sash. This should be done on a ladder, not the ground. Also, you should have someone lower to keep it in place.

Make sure that the window frame is ready to accommodate the new pane after you have removed the old glue. Take measurements of the width and height of the sash opening, subtracting 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 have a piece of stock glass cut to size. You can also cut the glass yourself if have the tools you need.

After putting the new pane in place after installing the new pane, put a tiny amount of caulking around the edges to seal it against weather. Then, place a glazier's tip on each side of the frame to secure the pane in place. The points should not be tight enough to cause friction between the frame and the sash, but they should also not be loose.

Before applying the putty make sure to knead it until it is soft and free of lumps. Then you can roll it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be placed in the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to another so that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are the tiny triangular pieces of steel which help to secure glass into a window frame without damaging or scratching the delicate surface. Knowing how to use these little helpers is easy and can 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 using a utility knife to remove any remaining traces. Lightly sand the wood into the rabbet grooves to smooth out rough areas. If you decide to sand the wood, make sure to protect it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

Note down the dimensions of the frame. These measurements can be taken to an hardware or home centers store, and the new pane will be cut to a smaller size. This will ensure a snug fit and leave room for expansion and Replace window pane contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and push it into the frame with your hand. Utilize the point of the chisel, or the back of the putty blade to tap in the glazier's points, as shown in Figure 11. When you're done taping, they should be level with the top edge of the pane, and the raised shoulders of the points should be below the rabbet's lip. groove.

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

Install the new window sash when the glazing compound has dried. First, coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will prevent the newly-created putty drying out or cracking when it absorbs moisture. Use a brush to apply this coat, or the tip of the blade. Then use the chisel that is on the back of the tool or the back of the putty handle to gently hammer the new sash or glazier's point into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches around the frame's perimeter.

Putty

A baseball thrown at you or a rock that is errant or falling branch could cause a window pane to break or crack. The majority of windows can be replaced easily by simply putting in a fresh piece. The glass is held in place by small clips made of metal called a glazier's point and putty, which is often called glazing compound. Before installing a new pane, first get rid of the old one and clean up the area using a rag and the pull-type paint scraper or a wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves when working. You'll need a heating gun when the window is fixed to the frame.

If you're planning to install the original sash, remove the molding pieces that are used to secure the old pane. Then sand the sash to ensure it's smooth and ready to be re-caulked. Once the sash is re-installed and sanded, apply a fresh caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure it doesn't swell or fade in time.

Remove the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash, where the glass is. If they're difficult to cut out, you can try holding a hand tool like a heat gun over them to soften them up first. When using a heated tool, be sure to not scratch the sash or its railings.

Once the old points of glazing and putty have been removed prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, and form it into a 1/2-inch thick. Place it into the rabbets where the glass will be put. It is essential that the glass sits on the putty on each side So if you have to tap it, gently press 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 to pressing it into the sash. If the crack isn't sealed, replace Window pane you'll require putty to keep water out. After the putty has dried, wipe the oily film off of the glass and allow it to dry completely before you paint. Paint before the putty has dried completely. It will not create a solid seal and may leak or discolor with time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a broken pane of glass. In reality, replacing a single pane glass doesn't have to be expensive if you do it on your own. Even a double-paned window can be replaced for a fraction of what it costs an expert.

If you're working with large glass windows first, ensure that it is securely fixed to the frame. With the right tools and techniques, you can make this task relatively easy and quick.

If you're ready to begin taking off the old window pane by prying out the metal glazing points that are connected to it. These are essentially small metal triangles that act as "nails" which hold the window in within the frame of wood. They are submerged beneath a layer of glazing putty, which hardens into a solid, molded wedge that holds the window firmly in place and conceals the points.

After removal of the old pane clean the frame and wood. Scrape away any old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves, where the glazing points used to be. These should be sanded down to bare wood, to allow you to paint them the same color as the rest the frame. After the sanding process, apply a coat of flax oil to the wood that is not sanded down to prolong its life.

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 determine 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 during seasons of change. Bring these measurements to your local hardware or home improvement store, and they will 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.