How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane could cause a lot of trouble. It could be a chance to upgrade to energy-efficient windows or insulated ones, and reap benefits like increased comfort, increased resale values and lower utility costs.

You can do it yourself for less than what it would cost to employ an expert. You'll need only the right tools and a few hours of your time.

Glass

If your single pane windows are old, deteriorating or broken replacing them with more modern glass that is tempered or insulated will increase energy efficiency and reduce noise while preserving the historic integrity of older homes. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can Replace Window Pane the window pane. In addition to a new pane, the following items are required: latex glazing putty; pliers, glazier's points and the use of a heat gun to warm the old putty, if needed. Wear safety glasses and gloves before you begin. Working with broken glass can cause serious injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. This can be done with a pair of pliers, but a flathead screwdriver may be effective in the pinch. Utilize a wood chisel or putty knives to remove any old putty that remains around the frame and window sash. Be careful not to scratch the window sash. Work slowly and carefully. It is recommended to work using a sturdy ladder rather than on the ground, and to have someone stand below the sash in order to help hold it in place.

Make sure the window frame is ready to receive the new pane when you have removed the old glue. 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). 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 by yourself if you have the right tools.

After putting in the new glass After installing the glass, apply a small amount of caulking on the edges. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then install a glazier's point on the frame's opposite side to secure the pane into the right place. The points should not be so tight as to cause friction between the frame and sash but they shouldn't be too loose.

Before applying the putty to the surface, knead thoroughly until it is soft and free of lumps. Then you can roll it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be placed in the corner of the frame, working from one corner to the next so that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's facets are tiny triangular pieces of steel that help secure glass into the frame of a window without scratching or damaging the fragile surface. It's simple to learn how to use this secret tool and you can save money on the expense of a professional installation.

After the old putty as well as the glazier's points have been removed, thoroughly clean the frame using a utility knife to get rid of any remaining residue. 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 avoid accidental damage.

Take the dimensions of the frame and write down accurate measurements. Take these dimensions to a hardware store or home center and have the new pane made slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a tight fit and will allow room for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and push it into place firmly using your hand. Then, you can use the point of your chisel or back end of the putty knife to pierce the glazier's facets, as shown in Figure 11. The glazier's points should be flush against the top edge of the pane and the shoulders should be just below the lip.

Apply a small amount of glazing compound on the edges of the new glass and into the rabbet grooves, to seal and Replace Window Pane protect them. Allow this to dry and cure fully.

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

Putty

A baseball thrown at you or an unintentional rock, or falling branch could cause a window pane to break or crack. Fortunately, windows can be repaired by simply placing a new piece of glass in its the proper place. The glass is held in place using small clips made of metal called a glazier's point and putty, which is often called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area with the rag, a scraper that is a pull type or a wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while doing this work. You'll need a heat gun when the window screen replacement is fixed into the frame.

If you plan to reinstall the original sash, remove any molding pieces that hold the old pane in place. Then, sand the sash to make sure it's flat and ready for new caulk. After the sash has been put back in place, you can apply a silicone caulk over the glass. This will ensure that it doesn't get soiled or discolor over time.

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets and the grooves in the sash that the glass is. If they are hard to chisel, hold the hand tool, such as a heating gun over them to allow them to soften before. When using a heated tool, make sure to not damage the sash and its railings.

Create the bed for your new pane after removing the old glaze points and putty. 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 put. It's important that the glass rests against the putty in all places on each side So if you have to tap it, gently press the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can cover it with a solvent-based glass glue or silicone caulk prior pressing it into the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you'll need to apply putty to keep the water out. After the putty has dried, clean the oily film off the glass using a rag and allow it to dry completely prior to painting. If you paint before the putty is completely dry, it won't create an effective seal and could be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a damaged piece of glass. In reality, replacing a single pane of glass doesn't have to be expensive even if you do it your own. Even a double-paned window can be replaced for a fraction of what it will cost a professional.

First, if you're working on a large-sized window seal replacement, make sure that it is securely fastened to the frame. This task is relatively easy and quick with the right tools and techniques.

Once you're ready to begin taking off the old window pane by removing the metal glazing points that are attached to it. These are essentially small metal triangles which function as "nails" which hold the window in in the wood frame. They are submerged beneath a bead or glazing putty that sets to form a solid wedge which holds the wood frame firmly in position and hides the points.

Once you have the old pane taken away, clean up the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape away any old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were. They should be sanded to the point of being bare, so that you can paint them the same color as the rest the frame. After sanding the wood, apply a layer of flax oil. This will help prolong the life of the frame.

Then, take measurements of the dimensions of the window opening. You'll need to determine 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 also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass during seasons of change. You can take these measurements to a hardware 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.