How to replace window pane Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window can be a source of frustration. It could also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows and benefit from more comfort, higher potential for resales, and less bills.

It's a task you can take on yourself for a fraction of the cost of hiring an expert. You'll need only the right tools and a few hours of your time.

Glass

Replace your old single-paned windows with tempered insulation glass to improve the efficiency of your energy, reduce noise, and protect the historical integrity of your home's older. Most homeowners with basic hand tools can replace a window seal replacement pane. In addition to a replacement pane, the following tools are required such as latex glazing putty; Glazier's points; pliers and the use of a heat gun to warm the old putty if required. Wear safety glasses and gloves before you begin. Working with broken glass can cause serious injuries.

Take out any broken glass pieces that remain. It is recommended to use pliers for this however a flathead could be used equally. Use a wood chisel, or putty knife to get rid of any old putty that remains around the frame and window sash. Be careful and slow, taking care not to damage the old window sash. This is best done on a ladder, not on the ground. Also, have someone on the ground to ensure it is held steady.

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 opening in the sash by subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). Take these measurements to a hardware store or home center, and have a piece of stock glass cut to size. Alternatively, you can cut the glass yourself, if you 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 make it weatherproof. Install a glazier's point on both sides of the frame. This will secure the pane. The points shouldn't be so tight that they create friction between the frame and sash However, they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty, work it in a gentle manner until it's soft and free of lumps. Then, roll it into pencil-size 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 small triangular pieces which help to secure glass into frames for windows without scratching or damaging the fragile surface. Understanding how to use these tiny pieces of help is simple and can save you money on a professional installation or the cost of buying new glass.

After getting rid of the old putty glazier points, and any other residue clean the frame thoroughly with an utility knife. Lightly sand the frame in the rabbet grooves, if necessary, to smooth rough areas. If you sand wood protect it with painter's tape to protect it from damage caused by accidental sanding.

Write down the exact dimensions of the frame. These dimensions can be taken to an hardware or home centers store and the new pane will be cut a bit smaller. This will ensure a tight fit and will allow room for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane in the frame and press it down with your hands. Utilize the point of the chisel, or the back of the putty blade to tap in the glaziers' points as shown in Figure 11. The glazier's points should be flush against the top edge of your pane and the raised shoulders should be just below the lip.

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

When the glazing compound is dry it's time to put in the new window sash. First, coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will stop the new putty from soaking up moisture and drying out and cracking with time. Use a brush to apply this coat, or the tip of the blade. Then, use the chisel on the back of the tool or the back of the putty handle to gently smash the new sash or glazier's point into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches along the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A baseball that is thrown, an errant rock or falling branch could cause a window to crack or break. The majority of windows can be replaced by simply putting in a fresh piece. The glass is held in the position with a tiny metal clip, called the glazier's point, and putty. This compound is also called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area using the rag, a pull-type scraper or wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves while working. You'll need a heating gun in the event that the window is glued to the frame.

If you are planning to replace your original sash, remove the mold that holds the old pane. Sand the sash until it is flat and ready to receive new caulk. Once the sash is re-installed, apply a new caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure it won't leak or discolor as time passes.

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets, the grooves in the sash, where the glass sits. If they are hard to chisel, use a hand tool like a heat gun over them for a few minutes to soften them. If you're using a heated gun, make sure not to scratch the sash or its railings by using the tool too tightly.

Once 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 around 1/2-inch thick. Press it into the rabbets, where the glass will be placed. It is crucial that the glass is positioned against the putty in all places on both sides If you have to tap it, gently press the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane has damaged, you can use the silicone caulk or replace Window pane glass glue that is based on solvents to seal the crack prior to pressing it in the sash. If not, you'll have to putty over the crack to form an airtight seal and keep water out. After the putty is dry then clean the oily film off the glass using a rag and allow it to dry completely prior to painting. Paint before the putty is completely dry. It will not make a strong seal and may leak or discolor with time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a broken piece of glass. However, replacing a single glass pane doesn't require a huge amount of money if you do it yourself. Even double-paned windows can be replaced for a fraction of what it will cost an expert.

If you are working with large glass windows first, ensure that it is securely attached to the frame. This task is relatively easy and fast using the appropriate tools and techniques.

Once you're ready to begin taking off the old window pane by removing the glazing points of metal that are connected to it. These are tiny triangles of metal that function as "nails" that hold the window in the frame. They are buried under a bead of glazing putty, which transforms into a solid formed wedge that holds the window firmly in place and conceals the window's points.

After removing the old pane, clean the frame and wood. Scrape off any old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves in which the glazing points were placed. Sand them to bare wooden surfaces so you can paint the frames with the same color. After sanding the wood you can apply a layer flax oil. This will help to prolong the life of the frame.

Then, take measurements of the dimensions of the window opening. It is necessary to take vertical and horizontal measurements of the entire opening as well as the thickness of the old pane. 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. You can take these measurements to a hardware store or home improvement shop and get 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.