How to replace window pane Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window is a nuisance. This can be an opportunity to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones to enjoy advantages like improved comfort, higher resale value and reduced utility costs.

This is a project you could tackle yourself at less than the cost of hiring an expert. It requires the right tools and only an hour or two of your time.

Glass

If your single-pane windows are old broken, deteriorating or damaged replacing them with modern glass that is tempered or insulated will increase energy efficiency and reduce noise while preserving the historic integrity of older homes. The procedure of replacing the window pane is easy and can be completed by anyone with basic hand tools. Alongside a replacement pane, the following components are needed for the replacement process: latex glazing putty Glazier's points; pliers and the use of a heat gun to warm the old putty, if necessary. Wear safety goggles and gloves before you begin. Working with broken glass could cause serious injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. This can be done with the help of pliers however, a flathead screwdriver can also be effective in the pinch. After that, use a wood chisel or putty knife to remove the remaining old putty from the frame and sash. Be careful to not damage the window sash. Be careful and slow. This is best done on a ladder, not the ground. Also, you should have someone lower to hold it steady.

Once you've removed all the old putty, it is time to prepare the window frame for the new pane. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction and contraction, subtract 1/8 inch from the measurements of width and height. Bring these measurements to a hardware store or home center and find a piece glass cut to size. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself, if you have the right tools.

After putting in the new glass After installing the glass, apply caulking around the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then install a glazier's point on each side of the frame to hold the pane in the right place. The points shouldn't be too tight that they cause friction between the frame and the sash, but they should also not be loose.

Before applying the putty on the surface, gently knead it until it is smooth and free of lumps. Roll it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be glued to the corner of the frame. Work from corner to corner and ensure that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are the small triangular pieces of metal that help secure glass into a window pane replacement frame without damaging or scratching the delicate surface. Learning how to use these hidden little helpers is easy and can save you money on a professional installation or the cost of purchasing new glass.

After removing the old putty, glazier points and any residue, clean the frame thoroughly with an utility knife. Lightly sand the wood into the rabbet grooves 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 note down precise measurements. Bring these measurements to an 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 perfectly and allows for expansion and contraction.

Insert the new pane into the frame and press it down with your hands. Utilize the point of the chisel or the back of the putty blade to tap the glaziers' points as shown in Figure 11. The glazier's points should be flush against the top edge of the pane and the raised shoulders should be just below that lip.

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

Install the new window sash after the glazing compound has dried. First, coat the wood with a heavy coat of Linseed oil. This will prevent the new putty from drying out or cracking when it absorbs moisture. 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 hammer in the new sash and glazier's point into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches along the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown or a rock thrown by error or a branch falling can result in a cracked or cracked window pane. Most windows can be replaced easily by putting in a new piece. The glass is held into position by a small metal clip, referred to as the glazier's point, and putty. This compound is also referred to as glazing compound. Before you install a new pane, first get rid of the old one and clean the area with an abrasive and the pull-type paint scraper or the wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while doing this work. If the window is attached to the frame, you'll need to make use of a heat gun to soften the adhesive prior to prying it free.

If you are planning to reinstall your original sash, you must remove the mold that holds the old pane. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready to receive new caulk. After the sash has been reinstalled, you can apply a silicone caulk on the glass. This will ensure that it won't leak over time or discolor.

Remove the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash, which is where the glass is located. If they're difficult to cut out, try placing an instrument like a heat gun to soften them before you do. When using a heat tool, be sure to not damage the sash or its railings.

Make the bed for your new pane after you have removed the old glaze and putty. Roll a rope made of glazing compound between your fingers and then make it about 1/2 inch thick. Press it into the rabbets, where the glass will be put. The glass should rest against the putty on both sides. If necessary you want to tap your glass lightly into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can apply a silicone caulk or a glass glue made from solvents to fill in the crack before pressing it in the sash. If the crack isn't sealed, you'll require 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 after the putty has dried completely. It won't create a solid seal and replace window pane could be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a damaged piece of glass. But the truth is that replacing one glass pane does not have to break the bank if you do it yourself. In fact even windows with double panes can be replaced at a fraction of the cost of an expert.

First, if you are working on a large window, make sure it is securely fastened to the frame. Using the proper tools and techniques to make this task relatively easy and speedy.

When you are ready to begin with the removal of the window pane. Remove the metal glazing points attached to it. These are essentially small metal triangles that function as "nails" that keep the window in place within the frame of wood. They are buried under a bead of glazing putty that hardens into a solid, formed wedge that secures the window in place and hides the edges.

After you have the old pane taken away Clean up the frame and wood. Scrape away 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 the sanding process, apply a coat of flax oil to the wood that is not sanded down to help extend its lifespan.

Next, measure the width of the window's opening. You will need to measure the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the entire opening as well as the thickness. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure you have the exact size for the new pane. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. Take these measurements to the hardware or home improvement store and 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.