How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane could be a nuisance. It can also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows and enjoy benefits such as improved comfort, increased the value of resales and lower utility costs.

You can do it yourself for a only a fraction of the cost it would cost to employ an expert. It requires the right tools and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

replace upvc window handle your single-paned windows with tempered insulate glass to improve energy efficiency, cut down on noise, and preserve the original character of your home's older. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can replace the window pane. You will also need a replacement window pane, glazier's suggestions, pliers, and latex glaze putty. If necessary you may use a heating gun to warm the old putty. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to starting. Working with broken glass could cause serious injuries.

Take away any broken glass pieces that remain. It is best to use pliers however, a flathead may be useful as well. Then, use a wood chisel, or putty knife, to remove the remaining old putty around the frame and sash. Be careful to not damage the window sash. Take your time and work slowly. This is best done on a ladder, not the ground. Also, ensure that someone on the ground to hold it steady.

Once you've removed all the old putty, you can prepare the window frame to accommodate the new pane. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction and contraction, subtract 1/8 inch from the measurements of width and height. 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 you have the right tools.

After putting the new pane in place after installing the new pane, put a tiny amount of caulking along the edge to ensure it is weatherproof. Then install a glazier's point on the frame's opposite side to secure the pane into the right place. The points shouldn't be too tight that they create 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 is soft and free of lumps. Then make it into pencil-sized strips. Place the first strip in the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to the next to ensure 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 the frame of a window without scratching or damaging the fragile surface. Knowing how to use these tiny helpers is simple and could save you money on professional installation or the cost of buying new glass.

After removing the old putty, glazier points as well as any remaining remnants Clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife. Lightly sand the wood into the rabbet grooves, if necessary, to smooth out rough areas. If you decide to sand the wood, be sure to protect it with painter's tack to avoid accidental damage.

Measure the empty frame's dimensions and write down accurate measurements. These measurements can be brought to the hardware or home center store, and the new frame will be cut to a smaller size. This will ensure a tight fit and leave room for expansion and contraction.

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

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

Install the new window pane replacement sash after the glazing compound has dried. First, you need to coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will prevent the new putty from soaking in the moisture and drying out and cracking with time. Apply the coat using a brush or the edge of your putty knife, then employ the chisel or back end from the putty knife to gently hammer the new sash and glazier's points into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process in 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. Most windows can be replaced by putting in a new piece. The glass is held in place by tiny metal clips known as the glazier's pointed and putty, which is often called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area using an abrasive, pull-type scraper or wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and nearest gloves when you work. You'll require a heat gun in the event that the window is glued to the frame.

If you plan to reinstall the original sash, gently remove the molding pieces that secure the old pane. Sand the sash until it is flat and ready to receive new caulk. Once the sash is installed then, you can apply a silicone caulk over the glass. This will ensure that it won't be leaking or fade over time.

Remove the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves in the sash, which is where the glass is. If they're difficult to chisel, use a hand tool such as a heatgun over them for a few minutes to soften them. When using a heated tool, make sure to not damage the sash or its railings.

After the old points of glazing and putty have been removed, prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your hands, shaping it to be about 1/2-inch thick. Place it into the rabbets, where the glass will be placed. The glass should rest against the putty on both sides. If needed gently tap your glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack, you can cover it with a solvent-based glass glue or silicone caulk before pressing it into the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you will require putty to keep water out. After the putty is dry and the film is oily, wipe it off the glass with the help of a rag. Allow it to dry completely before painting. If you paint before the putty is fully dry, it won't create an effective seal and could leak or discolor over time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a broken piece of glass. In reality, replacing a single pane glass doesn't need to be expensive if you do it on your own. Even a double-paned window could be replaced at a fraction of the cost it will cost for a professional.

First, if you are working on a large window, ensure that it is securely attached to the frame. By using the correct tools and techniques you can accomplish this task fairly easily and quick.

When you are ready to start, remove the old window pane. Pry out the metal glazing points that are attached to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles that act as "nails" that hold the window in place within the frame of wood. They are buried under a bead of glazing putty, which hardens into a solid, formed wedge which holds the window in place and conceals the edges.

After removal of the old pane clean the frame and the wood. Scrape off any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points used to be. Sand them to bare wooden surfaces so you can paint the frames the same color. After sanding the wood you can apply a layer flax oil. This will help to prolong the life of the frame.

The next step is to measure 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 get a precise size for the new pane. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. You can bring these measurements to a hardware 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.