How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane could 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.

This is a project you could tackle yourself at only a fraction of the cost of hiring a professional. It requires the right equipment and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

Replace Window Pane your old single-paned windows with tempered insulate glass to improve energy efficiency, reduce noise, and protect the historical integrity of your old home. Most homeowners with basic hand tools can replace the window pane. Alongside a replacement pane, the following items are required for the replacement process: 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 prior to beginning. Working with broken glass can cause serious injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. It is recommended to use pliers, but a flathead can work as well. Then, use a wood chisel, or putty knife, to remove the remaining old putty from around the frame and sash. Work slowly and carefully making sure not to break the existing window sash. This should be done on a ladder, not the ground. Also, ensure that someone lower to keep it in place.

Make sure the window frame is ready to accept the new pane once you have removed the old putty. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction, subtract 1/8 inch each from the measurements of the width and height. These measurements can be taken to a home center or hardware store to get an item cut from stock glass to the right size. Alternatively, you can cut the glass yourself if have the right tools.

After putting the new pane in place, run a small bead of caulking along the edge to make it weatherproof. Then, place a glazier's tip on the frame's opposite side to secure the pane in place. The points should not be too tight that they cause friction between the frame and the 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 the other so that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

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

Once the old putty and glazier's points are removed, thoroughly clean the frame using a utility knife to get rid of any remaining traces. Lightly sand the frame in the rabbet grooves to smooth out rough areas. If you sand wood cover it with painter's tape to protect it from damage caused by accidental sanding.

Take measurements of the empty frame and note down precise measurements. These dimensions can be taken to the hardware or home center store, and the new frame will be cut to a smaller size. This will ensure a snug fit, and allow for expansion and contraction.

Insert the new pane into the frame and push it in with your hands. Then use the point of your chisel or the back of the putty knife to pierce the glazier's points as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's points should be flush against the top edge of your pane, and the shoulders raised should be just beneath that lip.

Apply a small amount of glazing compound over the edges of the new glass and in the rabbet grooves, to seal and protect them. Allow it to dry and cure completely.

After the glazing compound dries and the glazing compound is dry, you can install the new window sash. First, you need to coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will stop the new putty from soaking up the moisture and drying out and cracking with time. Apply the coating using a brush 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 handle to gently hammer the new sash or glazier's tip into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown or a rock thrown by error, or a fallen tree can cause a broken or cracked window. Fortunately, the majority of windows can be replaced by simply putting a brand new piece in place. The glass is held in place by a small metal clip, called the glazier's point, and putty. This compound is also known as glazing compound. Before installing a replacement pane, first get rid of the old one and clean up the area with the help of a rag, the pull-type paint scraper or a wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves while working. If the window is attached to the frame, you'll need use a heat gun to soften the adhesive prior to cutting it loose.

If you plan to reinstall the original sash, remove any molding pieces that secure the old pane. Then you can sand the sash down to ensure it's level and Replace window Pane ready for replace window Pane a new caulk. Once the sash is re-installed then, apply a new caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure that it won't leak or discolor over time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets and the grooves in the sash that the glass is. If they're hard to chisel, hold a hand tool such as a heatgun over them to allow them to soften before. When using a heated tool, be sure to not damage the sash and its railings.

Prepare the bed for your new pane after you have removed the old glaze and putty. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your fingers, and make it around 1/2 inch thick. Then, push it into the rabbets in which the glass will be. The glass must be positioned against the putty on both sides. If necessary gently tap your glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack then you can seal it with a solvent-based glass glue or silicone caulk before pressing it into the sash. If the crack isn't sealed, you'll need to apply putty to keep the water out. After the putty has dried remove the oily film from the glass and allow it to dry completely before painting. If you paint before the putty has completely dry, it will not form an effective seal and could discolor or leak in time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a broken piece of glass. In reality, replacing a single pane glass doesn't need to be expensive even if you do it your own. Even a double-paned window sash replacement could be replaced for a fraction of what it would cost a professional.

If you are working on a large-sized window, make sure it is securely fixed to the frame. This can be made relatively simple and fast with the appropriate tools and techniques.

If you're ready to begin, begin by removing the old window by prying out the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. These are basically small metal triangles which function as "nails" that hold the window in in the wood frame. They are submerged beneath a layer of glazing putty that is then cured to form a solid, molded wedge that secures the window in place and conceals the points.

After removing the old pane, clean the frame and the wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used and sand down the rabbet grooves that the glazing points were placed. These should be sanded down to bare wood so that you can paint them the same shade as the rest of the frame. After sanding, apply a layer of flax oil on the bare wood to extend the life of the frame.

The next step is to determine the size of the window opening. It is necessary to measure the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the entire opening as well as the thickness. To determine the exact dimensions of the new pane subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. Take these dimensions 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.