How to Replace Window Pane Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window is a nuisance. This could be an opportunity to upgrade to energy-efficient windows or insulated ones, and reap benefits such as improved comfort, higher resale value and reduced utility costs.

It's a task you can take on yourself for a fraction of the cost of hiring a professional. You'll need only the appropriate tools and a few hours of your time.

Glass

Replace your old single-paned windows with tempered or insulated glass to increase energy efficiency, reduce noise, and preserve the historical integrity of your home's older. The replacement double glazed window of windows is easy and can be accomplished by anyone with basic hand tools. You will also require an additional window pane, glazier's tips pliers, and latex glazing putty. If necessary you may use a heating gun to warm the old putty. Before beginning, wear gloves and safety glasses as working with broken glass could cause injuries.

Take away any broken glass pieces that remain. It is best to use pliers for this however a flathead could be useful equally. Utilize a wood chisel or putty knife to get rid of any old putty remaining around the frame and window sash. Work slowly and carefully, taking care not to break the existing window sash. It is a good idea to do this on a stable ladder rather than the ground and have someone standing below the sash to help hold it in place.

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 the width and height. These measurements can be sent to an hardware or home centers store to have cut a piece of glass stock to the proper size. You can also cut the glass by yourself if you have the appropriate tools.

After installing the new glass After installing the glass, apply caulking on the edges. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then, place a glazier's tip on the frame's opposite side to hold the pane in its place. The points shouldn't be too tight that they cause friction between the frame and the sash however they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty on the surface, gently knead it until it is soft and free of lumps. Then, roll it into pencil-size 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 small triangular pieces of metal that help secure glass into a window frame without scratching or damaging the delicate surface. It's easy to understand how to use this secret tool and you can save money on the cost of a professional installation.

After getting rid of the old putty glazier points as well as any remaining leftovers, clean the frame thoroughly using an utility knife. Lightly sand the wood into the rabbet grooves, if necessary, to smooth rough areas. If you do sand your wood, ensure you protect it with painter's tack to avoid accidental damage.

Note down the exact dimensions of the frame. Take these dimensions to a hardware store or home center, and have the new pane cut smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a tight fit and will allow room for expansion and contraction.

Insert the new pane into the frame and push firmly with your hands. Then, you can use the point of your chisel or back of the putty knife to pierce the glazier's facets, as shown in Figure 11. The glazier's points should be aligned with the top edge of the pane and the shoulders raised should be just below the lip.

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

After the glazing compound dries and the glazing compound is dry, you can install the new window sash. The first step is to coat the wood with a heavy 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 using a brush or Replace window pane the tip of your knife, then use the chisel, or the back end of 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 all around the frame.

Putty

A baseball hit or a rock thrown in error, or a fallen tree can result in a cracked or cracked window. The majority of windows can be replaced easily by installing a new piece. The glass is held in position by a small metal clip, called a glazier's point and putty. This compound is also called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area using a rag, a scraper that is a pull type or a wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while working. You'll need a heating gun in the event that the window is glued to the frame.

If you are planning to replace the original sash, take off the molding that supports 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 will not leak or change color in time.

Take out the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves in the sash, where the glass is. If they're difficult to cut, place the hand tool, such as a heating gun over them for a few minutes to soften them. If you're using a heat gun, be cautious not to scratch the railings or sash by placing the tool too tightly.

Once the old glaze points and putty have been removed, make a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your fingers and make it around 1/2 inch thick. Then, push it into the rabbets in which the glass will rest. The glass must be positioned against the putty on both sides. If needed you want to tap your glass lightly into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can apply the silicone caulk or glass glue made from solvents to seal the crack prior to pressing it into the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you'll need to use putty to keep water from getting in. After the putty is dry, clean the oily film off the glass with an abrasive and allow it to completely dry before painting. If you paint before the putty is completely dry, it will not form an effective seal and could discolor or leak over time.

Paint

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

If you are working on a large-sized window, ensure that it is securely fixed to the frame. By using the correct tools and techniques you can complete this task easily and quick.

When you're ready to start taking off the old window by removing the glazing points of metal that are attached to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles that act as "nails" that hold the window in within the frame of wood. They are submerged under a bead of glazing putty, which hardens into a solid, moulded wedge which holds the window in place and conceals the edges.

After you have the old pane removed, clean up the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape off any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points used to be. Sand them down to clean wooden surfaces, allowing you to paint the frames the same shade. After sanding the wood then apply a layer of flax oil. This will help to prolong the life of the frame.

Then, take measurements of the dimensions 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. You can take these measurements to a hardware or home improvement shop and 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.