How to Replace Window Panes

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

This is a project you could do yourself for less than the cost of hiring a professional. You'll need only the proper tools and a few hours of your time.

Glass

Replace your old single-paned windows with tempered or insulated glass to increase energy efficiency, cut down on noise, and maintain the historic integrity of your old home. Most homeowners with basic hand tools can replace a window pane. In addition to a new pane, the following components are required such as latex glazing putty; Glazier's points; pliers and the use of a heat gun to warm the old putty, if needed. Before starting, put on gloves and safety goggles as working with broken glass can cause injuries.

Take away any broken glass pieces that remain. It is best to use pliers however a flathead could be useful equally. Use a wood chisel, or putty knives, to take away any old putty that remains around the frame and window replacements sash. Be careful to not damage the replacement window glass near me sash. Take your time and work slowly. This is best done on a ladder, not on the ground. Also, you should have someone on the ground to keep it in place.

Prepare the window frame to receive the new pane after you have removed the old glue. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction by subtracting 1/8 inch from the measurements of the width and height. Bring these measurements to a hardware store or home center and find a piece glass cut to size. You can also cut the glass by yourself if you have the appropriate tools.

After putting in the new glass Apply a small amount of caulking on the edges. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then, you can install a glazier's pointing on the frame's opposite side to secure the pane into its place. The points should not be so tight that they create friction between the frame and the sash, window.Replacement near Me but they should also not be loose.

Before applying the putty on the surface, knead thoroughly until it becomes soft and free of lumps. Roll it into pencil-sized strips. Place the first strip in the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to another to ensure it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are tiny triangular pieces of steel that help secure the glass into the window frame without causing any damage to the fragile surface. It's easy to learn how to use this hidden tool, and you'll be able to save money on the cost of a professional installation.

After taking off the old putty, glazier points as well as any remaining remnants clean the frame thoroughly with an utility knife. Lightly sand the frame in the rabbet grooves to smooth out rough areas. If you decide to sand the wood, be sure to protect it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

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

Place the new pane into the frame and push it in using your hands. Then, use the tip of your chisel, or the back end of the putty knife to make a tap on the glazier's points as illustrated in Figure 11. When you're done, they should be flush with the top edge of the pane. the shoulders of the points should be just below the rabbet's rim groove.

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

When the glazing compound is dry and the glazing compound is dry, you can install the new window sash. First, coat the wood with a thick coat of Linseed oil. This will prevent the newly-created putty drying out or cracking due to the moisture it absorbs. Use a brush to apply this coat, or even the tip of the putty blade. Then use the chisel on the back of the putty tool or the back of the putty handle to gently hit the new sash, or glazier's point into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown at you or a rock that is errant or a falling branch can cause a window to break or crack. Fortunately, the majority of windows can be repaired by simply putting a brand new piece in place. The glass is held in position by a small metal clip, also known as a glazier’s point and putty. This compound is also referred to as glazing compound. Before you install a new pane, first take out the old one and window.Replacement near me clean the area using the help of a rag, an abrasive scraper that is a pull type or an abrasive wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves when you work. If the window is attached to the frame, you'll have to make use of a heat gun to soften the adhesive before taking it off.

If you are planning to replace the original sash, gently remove any pieces of molding that secure the old pane. Sand the sash until it is flat and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is re-installed, apply a new caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure that it will not leak or change color as time passes.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets, or the grooves in the sash where the glass is. If they're hard to chisel, use the hand tool, like a heat gun over them for a few minutes to soften them. When using a heated tool, be sure to not scratch the sash and its railings.

Make a bed for your new pane after removing the old glaze and putty. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, shaping it into a 1/2-inch thick. Then, you can press it into the rabbets where the glass will sit. The glass should rest against the putty on both sides. If needed you want to tap your glass lightly into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane has cracked, you can apply the silicone caulk or glass glue made from solvents to fill in the crack prior to pressing it into the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you'll require putty to keep water from getting in. After the putty has dried clean the oily film off of the glass and let it dry completely before painting. If you paint before the putty is completely dry, it will not form an effective seal and could discolor or leak over time.

Paint

If you've suffered a break in a window pane, then you may be worried about the expense of replacing it. The truth is, replacing a single pane glass doesn't need to be costly if you do it on your own. Even a double-paned window can be replaced for a fraction of the price it costs an expert.

If you are working on a large-sized window, make sure that it is securely fixed to the frame. Using the proper tools and techniques you can accomplish this task fairly easily and quick.

When you are ready to begin taking down the old window pane. Remove the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. These are basically small metal triangles which function as "nails" which hold the window in within the frame of wood. They are submerged beneath a bead or glazing glue that hardens to a solid wedge that holds the wood frame securely in place and hides the points.

After removing the old pane, clean the frame and wood. Scrape away any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were. These should be sanded to bare wood, so that you can paint them the same color as the rest the frame. After the sanding process, apply a coat of flax oil to the bare wood to prolong its life.

Next, measure the dimensions of the window's opening. You will need to measure 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 seasonal change. You can take these measurements to a hardware store 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.