How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane could cause a lot of trouble. It could also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows to reap benefits like improved comfort, increased the value of resales and lower utility costs.

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

Glass

Replace your old single-paned windows using tempered or insulation glass to improve energy efficiency, reduce noise, and protect the historical integrity of your old home. The replacement of the window replacement cost pane is easy and can be accomplished by homeowners with basic hand tools. Alongside a replacement window seals pane, the following items are required for the Replacement Double Glazing Windows process: latex glazing putty glazier's points; pliers; and the use of a heat gun to warm the old putty, if needed. Before beginning, wear gloves and safety glasses as working with broken glass could cause injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. It is best to use pliers for this however a flathead could be used equally. Make use of a wood chisel or putty knives, to take away any old putty that remains around the frame and the window sash. Work slowly and carefully and be careful not to damage the old window sash. This can be done best on a ladder, not on the ground. Also, ensure that someone below the sash hold it steady.

Make sure the window frame is ready to accept the new pane after you have removed the old putty. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction by subtracting 1/8 inch from the measurements of width and height. These measurements can be sent to a home center or hardware store to get a piece cut of glass that is in stock to the correct size. You can also cut the glass yourself if have the appropriate tools.

After installing the new pane, run a small bead of caulking around the edges to make it weatherproof. Install a glazier's pointing on both sides of the frame. This will secure the pane. The points should not be so tight that they create friction between the frame and sash, but they should also not be loose.

Before applying the putty on the surface, gently knead it until it is soft and free of lumps. Make it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip to the corner of the frame, working from one corner to the other to ensure it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are tiny triangular pieces of metal that help secure the glass into the window frame without causing damage to the delicate surface. It's simple to learn how to use this hidden tool, and you'll be able to save money on the expense of an expert installation.

After the old putty and the glazier's point are gone and the frame is thoroughly cleaned with a knife to get rid of any remaining traces. If necessary it is necessary to lightly sand the wood along the rabbet grooves to smooth out rough areas. If you do sand your wood, ensure you protect it with painter's tack to avoid accidental damage.

Take the dimensions of the frame and note down precise measurements. Take these dimensions to a hardware store or a home center, and have the new pane cut smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure that the pane fits snugly and allows for expansion and contraction.

Insert the new pane into the frame and press it down with your hands. Then use the point of your chisel, or the back of the putty knife to pierce the glazier's points, as shown in Figure 11. The glazier's points should sit in line with the top edge of the pane and the shoulders should be just beneath that lip.

Apply a thin layer 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 completely and cure.

Install the new window sash after the glazing compound has dried. First, saturate the wood with a thick coat of Linseed oil. This will prevent 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 press the new sash and glazier's tips into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A hurled baseball or a rock that is errant or a falling branch can cause a window pane to break or crack. The majority of windows can be repaired easily by installing a new piece. The glass is held in place with a small metal clip called a glazier's point, and putty, often called glazing compound. Before installing a new pane, first take out the old one and clean the area using a rag and a pull-type paint scraper or a wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves when you work. You'll need a heating gun when the window is fixed into the frame.

If you plan to reinstall the original sash in the future, take care to remove any pieces of molding that are used to secure the old pane. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready to receive new caulk. Once the sash is re-installed then, apply a new silicone caulk around the glass to ensure that it won't leak or discolor as time passes.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash, which is where the glass is. If they're difficult to cut out, try placing a hand tool like a heat gun to soften them first. If you're using a heated gun, make sure not to scratch the railings or sash by placing the tool too close.

Create the bed for your new pane after you have removed the old putty and glazing points. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your fingers and make it about 1/2 inch thick. Place it into the rabbets, where the glass will be placed. The glass must be positioned 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 is cracked, you can apply a silicone caulk or a glass glue that is based on solvents to fill in the crack prior to pressing it into the sash. In other cases, you'll need to apply putty over the crack to create an impervious seal to keep water out. After the putty has dried and the film is oily, wipe it off the glass with an abrasive and allow it to dry completely prior to painting. Paint before the putty has dried completely. It won't form a good seal and could leak or discolor with time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a broken piece of glass. The truth is, replacing a single piece of glass doesn't have to be costly when you do it on your own. In fact, even a double-pane window can be replaced for a fraction of the cost of a professional.

First, if you are working on a large-sized window, ensure that it is securely fastened to the frame. This task can be made relatively simple and quick with the proper tools and techniques.

Once you're ready to begin taking off the old window pane by removing the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. These are essentially small metal triangles which function as "nails" which hold the window in place within the frame of wood. They are submerged beneath a layer of glazing putty, which hardens into a solid, formed wedge which holds the window in place and hides the points.

Once you have the old pane removed, clean up the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were placed. Sand them down to clean wood surfaces, Replacement Double Glazing Windows so that you can paint the frames with the same shade. After sanding the wood then apply a layer of flax oil. This will help extend its life.

Then, take measurements of the dimensions of the window opening. You will need to measure the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the entire opening as well as the thickness. To determine the exact size of the new pane, subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. Bring these measurements to a hardware or home improvement store, and they will 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.