How to Replace Window Panes

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

It's a project you can take on yourself for only a fraction of the cost of hiring a professional. It requires the right equipment and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

If your single-pane windows are old, deteriorating or broken, replacing them with newer insulated or tempered glass can increase energy efficiency and decrease noise while maintaining the historical integrity of older homes. Most homeowners with basic hand tools can repair windows with ease. You will also need an extra window pane, glazier's tips pliers, and latex glaze putty. If needed you may make use of a heat gun to warm the old putty. Before starting, put on protective gloves and Replacement Double Glazed Window goggles since working with broken glass can cause injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. This is best accomplished with a pair of pliers, however, flathead screwdrivers can be effective in a pinch. Then, use a wooden chisel or putty knife remove the rest of the old putty from the frame and sash. Be careful to not break the window replacement near me sash. Work slowly and carefully. It is recommended to work on a stable ladder instead of the ground and have someone stand below the sash to help hold it in place.

Once you have removed all of the old putty, it is time to prepare the window frame for the new pane. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction by subtracting 1/8 inch from the measurements of the width and height. These measurements can be taken to a home center or hardware store to get a piece cut of stock glass to the right size. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself if you have the tools you need.

After installing the new glass, apply some caulking around the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Install a glazier's pointing on both sides of the frame. This will secure the pane. The points should not be tight enough to create friction between the frame and sash however they should not be loose.

Before putting the putty on, work it in a gentle manner until it's soft and free of lumps. Make it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be placed to the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to another to ensure it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are the small triangular pieces which help to secure glass into the frame of a window without damaging or scratching the delicate surface. It's easy to understand how to use this nefarious tool, and you'll save money on the expense of an expert installation.

After the old putty and glazier's points are removed, thoroughly clean the frame with a knife to eliminate any remaining traces. If necessary, lightly sand the wood along rabbet grooves to smooth out rough spots. If you decide to sand wood, protect it with painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Write down the dimensions of the frame. These dimensions can be taken to an hardware or home centers store and the new pane will be cut slightly smaller. This will ensure a secure fit and leave room for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and push it in place by using your hands. Use the chisel's point or the back of the putty blade to smudge the glazier's points, as shown in Figure 11. When you're done taping, they should be level with the top edge of the pane. the shoulders of the points should be below the lip of the rabbet groove.

Apply a thin layer glazing compound on the rabbet grooves and edges of new glass. This will protect and seal the edges. Allow this to dry and cure fully.

When the glazing compound is dry, you're ready to install the new window sash replacement sash. First, you need to coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will keep the new putty from taking up moisture and deteriorating and cracking with time. Apply this coat with a brush or the edge of your putty knife, then use the chisel or the back end of the knife to gently press the new sash and glazier's tips into the rabbet grooves. 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 can cause a broken or cracked window. Fortunately, the majority of windows can be replaced by simply putting a brand new piece in place. The glass is held in the position with a tiny metal clip, also known as a glazier’s point and putty. This compound is also called 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 an abrasive wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while working. You'll need a heating gun in the event that the window is glued to the frame.

If you're planning to reinstall the original sash, take off the mold that holds the old pane. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready to receive new caulk. Once the sash is re-installed and sanded, apply a fresh caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure that it won't leak or discolor as time passes.

Remove the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash where the glass is located. If they're difficult to cut out, you can try holding the hand tool, such as a heat gun over them to soften them before you do. When using a heat tool, be careful to avoid damaging the sash and its railings.

After the old glaze points 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. Then, push it into the rabbets in which the glass will sit. The glass must rest against the putty on both sides. If you need to you want to tap your glass lightly into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack you can fill it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk prior to pressing it into the sash. If the crack isn't sealed, you'll need to use putty to keep the water out. After the putty has dried and the film is oily, wipe it off the glass using the help of a rag. Allow it to dry completely before painting. Paint before the putty is completely dry. It will not make a strong seal and could leak or discolor with time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a broken pane of glass. But the truth is that replacing a single glass pane doesn't need to cost a fortune If you can do it yourself. Even a Replacement Double Glazed Window (Intranet.Welfarebox.Com)-paned window could be replaced for a fraction of the price it costs for a professional.

First, if you're working on a large window, ensure that it is securely fastened to the frame. With the right tools and techniques, you can make this task relatively easy and fast.

Once you're ready to begin, begin by removing the old window pane by removing the glazing points of metal that are connected to it. These are basically small metal triangles that act as "nails" that hold the window in place within the frame of wood. They are submerged beneath a bead or glazing glue that sets to form a solid wedge which holds the wood frame securely in place and hides the sharp edges.

After taking off 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. These should be sanded to the point of being bare, to allow you to paint them the same color as the rest of the frame. After sanding the wood, apply a layer of flax oil. This will help extend its life.

Then, you need to measure the size of the window's opening. You will need to take horizontal and vertical measurements of the entire opening and also the thickness of the old pane. To determine 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 during seasons of changes. Bring these measurements to your local hardware or home improvement store and ask them to cut you 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.