How to Replace Window Pane Window Panes

A damaged window pane could be a nuisance. This could be an opportunity to upgrade to energy-efficient windows or insulated ones to enjoy advantages like improved comfort, increased resale values and reduced utility costs.

You can do it yourself at a fraction of what it would cost to hire an expert. It requires the right equipment and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

If your single-pane windows are outdated, deteriorating or broken replacing them with more modern glass that is tempered or insulated can improve energy efficiency and reduce noise while maintaining the historic integrity of older homes. The process of replacing windows is easy and can be completed by most homeowners who possess basic hand tools. Alongside a replacement pane, the following tools are required: latex glazing putty; Glazier's points; pliers and the use of a heat gun to warm the old putty if required. Before beginning, wear gloves and safety glasses as working with broken glass can cause injuries.

Take out any broken glass pieces that remain. It is best to use pliers however a flathead could be used as well. Then, use a wood chisel or putty knife remove the remaining old putty around the frame and the sash. Take your time and work slowly making sure not to damage the old window sash. It is recommended to do this using a sturdy ladder instead of the ground and have someone standing below the sash in order to help hold it in place.

After you have removed all of the old putty, it is time to prepare the window frame to fit the new pane. Find the width and the height of the opening for the sash, subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). Bring these measurements to the nearest hardware store or home center and find a piece glass cut to size. You can cut the glass yourself if you possess the appropriate tools.

After putting in the new glass, apply some caulking on the edges. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then, place a glazier's tip on each side of the frame to secure the pane in its place. The points should not be so tight that they create friction between the frame and the sash however they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty knead it thoroughly until it is soft and free of lumps. Roll it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip to the corner of the frame. Work from one corner to the next and ensure that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier’s points are small triangular metal pieces that help secure the glass to the frame without causing any damage to the fragile surface. It's simple to learn how to use this hidden tool and you can save money on the expense of a professional installation.

After removing the old putty, glazier points, and any other remnants clean the frame thoroughly with an utility knife. Lightly sand the frame in the rabbet grooves if needed to smooth rough areas. If you decide to sand wood, protect it with painter’s tape to avoid accidental damage.

Measure the empty frame's dimensions and record precise measurements. Take these measurements to a hardware store or home center and have the new pane made slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure that the pane fits snugly and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane in the frame and push it in using your hands. Then, use the tip of your chisel or the back 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 raised shoulders of the points should be below the rabbet's rim groove.

Apply a thin bead of glazing compound on the edges of the glass that has been made and into the rabbet grooves to seal and protect them. Let it dry and cure fully.

When the glazing compound is dry, you're ready to install the new window sash. First, saturate the wood with a heavy coat of Linseed oil. This will keep the new putty from sucking in the moisture and drying out and cracking with time. Apply this coat with a brush or the edge of your putty knife, and then use the chisel, or the back end from the putty knife to gently hammer in the new sash and glazier's point into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches along the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown or a rock thrown in error, or a tree falling can result in a cracked or cracked window. Most windows can be replaced by installing a new piece. The glass is held into 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 with a rag, Replace Window Pane a pull-type scraper or wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves when you work. You'll require a heat gun when the window is fixed into the frame.

If you are planning to replace your original sash, remove the molding that holds the old pane. Sand the sash until it is flat and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is re-installed, apply a new silicone caulk around the glass to ensure it will not leak or change color in time.

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets, the grooves in the sash, where the glass sits. If they're difficult to chisel, use the hand tool, like a heat gun over them for a few minutes to soften them. When using a heating tool, be sure to not damage the sash or its railings.

After the old glaze points and putty are removed, make a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your fingers and make it about 1/2 inch thick. Then, you can press it into the rabbets where the glass will be. It is essential that the glass rests against the putty in all places on both sides If you have to tap it, gently press the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack, you can cover it with a solvent-based glass glue or silicone caulk prior to pressing it into the sash. If the crack isn't sealed, you will need to use putty to keep the water out. After the putty has dried, wipe the oily film off of the glass and let it dry completely before you paint. Paint before the putty is completely dry. It won't make a strong seal and may discolor or leak over time.

Paint

If you've suffered a break in a window pane, then you may be worried about the cost of a new one. But the truth is that replacing a single glass pane doesn't need to cost a fortune if you do it yourself. Even double-paned windows can be replaced at a fraction of the cost it would cost a professional.

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

When you're ready to start, begin by removing the old window pane by prying out the glazing points of metal that are connected to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles which function as "nails" that hold the window in within the frame of wood. They are placed beneath a layer of glazing putty that hardens into a solid, formed wedge that holds the window firmly in place and hides the window's points.

After taking off the old pane clean the frame and the wood. Scrape away any old paint and replace window pane sand down the rabbet grooves, where the glazing points were. Sand them down to bare wood surfaces, so that you can paint the frames with the same color. After sanding, apply a coat of flax oil on the wood that is not sanded down to help extend its lifespan.

Then, you need to measure the size of the window replacements's opening. You'll need to take horizontal and vertical measurements of the entire opening and also 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.