How to Replace window pane Window Panes

A damaged window pane could cause a lot of trouble. It can also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows, and benefit from more comfort, higher the value of resales and lower utility bills.

It's a project you can tackle yourself at only a fraction of the cost of hiring a professional. You only need the right tools and a few hours of your time.

Glass

Replace your old single-paned windows with tempered or insulation glass to improve energy efficiency, cut down on noise, and protect the historic integrity of your older home. The majority of homeowners with basic hand tools can repair the window pane. Alongside a replacement pane, the following tools are needed: latex glazing putty; pliers, glazier's points and the use of a heat gun to warm the old putty if required. Before starting, put on gloves and safety goggles as working with broken glass could cause injuries.

Take out any broken glass pieces remaining. This is best done using the help of pliers however, a flathead screwdriver may be effective in a pinch. Then, use a wooden chisel or putty knife remove the remaining old putty from around the frame and sash. Work slowly and Replace Window Pane carefully making sure not to break the existing window sash. It is best to do this using a sturdy ladder instead of the ground and to have someone stand below the sash to help keep it in place.

Once you've removed all the old putty, prepare the window frame to accommodate the new pane. Take measurements of the width and height of the opening for the sash, subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). These measurements can be sent to a hardware or home center store to get cut a piece of glass that is in stock to the correct size. You can also cut the glass yourself if have the right tools.

After putting in the new pane, run a small bead of caulking along the edge 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 too tight that they cause friction between the sash and frame however they should not be too loose.

Before putting the putty on, work it in a gentle manner until it is soft and free of lumps. Then make it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip to the corner of the frame. Work from one corner to another, making sure it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are tiny triangular pieces of steel that allow glass to be secured to the frame without causing any damage to the fragile surface. Knowing how to use these hidden tiny helpers is simple and could save you money on professional installation or the cost of purchasing new glass.

After removing the old putty, glazier points and any remnants Clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife. If necessary it is necessary to lightly sand the wood along the rabbet grooves to smooth rough spots. If you sand wood cover it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

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

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

Apply a small amount of glazing compound over the edges of the glass that has been made and into the rabbet grooves, to seal and protect them. Let it dry and cure completely.

Install the new window sash when the glazing compound has dried. First, saturate the wood with a heavy coat of Linseed oil. This will stop the new putty from soaking up the moisture and drying out and cracking with time. Apply the coat using a brush or the edge of your putty knife, and then use the chisel, or the back end of the putty knife to gently press the new sash and 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, a rock thrown in error, or a tree falling could result in a broken or cracked window pane. Fortunately, windows can be repaired by simply putting a brand new piece in place. The glass is held in place with a small metal clip called a glazier's point and putty, often called glazing compound. Before installing a new pane, first remove the old one and clean up the area using the help of a rag, the pull-type paint scraper or a wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and Windows Replacement gloves while you do this work. You'll need a heat gun if the window is glued to the frame.

If you are planning to install your original sash, you must remove the molding that holds the old pane. Then sand the sash to ensure it's level and ready for new caulk. After the sash has been reinstalled then, you can apply a silicone caulk to the glass. This will ensure that it won't be leaking or fade over time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets and the grooves in the sash where the glass is. If they are hard to cut, place a hand tool like a heat gun over them to allow them to soften before. When using a heated tool, be sure to not scratch the sash or its railings.

Make the bed for your new pane after you have removed the old glaze and putty. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, shaping it to be about 1/2-inch thick. Then, you can press it into the rabbets in which the glass will rest. The glass must rest against the putty on both sides. If necessary gently tap your glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has cracked, you can use the silicone caulk or glass glue based on solvents to fill in the crack prior to pressing it in the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you'll need to use putty to keep water from getting in. After the putty has dried, wipe the oily film from the glass and let it dry completely before painting. Paint after the putty has dried completely. It will not form a good seal and could discolor or leak over time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a broken pane of glass. However, replacing one glass pane does not need to cost a fortune if you do it yourself. In fact even windows with double panes can be replaced for less than the cost of a professional.

If you are working with a large glass window first ensure it is securely fixed to the frame. This task can be made relatively simple and quick with the appropriate tools and techniques.

When you are ready to begin with the removal of the window pane. Remove the metal glazing points attached to it. These are tiny triangles of metal which act as "nails", holding the window within the frame. They are submerged beneath a glaze putty or bead that sets to form a solid wedge which holds the wood frame in place and hides the sharp edges.

After removal of the old pane clean the frame and the wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used and sand the rabbet grooves that the glazing points were placed. Sand them down to clean wood surfaces, so that you can paint the frames with the same shade. After sanding, apply a coat of flax oil on the bare wood to prolong its life.

Next, measure the width of the window's opening. It is necessary to measure the horizontal and vertical 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 also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass in times of seasonal changes. Take these measurements to the hardware or home improvement store and have cut the glass 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.