How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window is an inconvenience. It could also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or Replacement Sash Windows insulated windows, and enjoy benefits such as more comfort, higher the value of resales and lower utility bills.

This is a project you could take on yourself for less than the cost of hiring an expert. You'll only require the appropriate tools and a few hours of your time.

Glass

If your single-pane windows are old broken, deteriorating or damaged, replacing them with newer glass that is tempered or insulated can increase energy efficiency and decrease noise while also preserving the historic integrity of older homes. The procedure of replacing a window pane is relatively easy and can be completed by anyone with basic hand tools. You'll also require an additional window pane, glazier's suggestions, pliers, and latex glazing putty. If needed you can use a heatgun to warm the old putty. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to beginning. Working with broken glass could result in serious injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. It is best to use pliers however, a flathead may be used as well. Use a wood chisel, or putty knife to get rid of any remaining old putty around the frame and window sash. Be careful not to scratch the window sash. Be careful and slow. It is best to do this on a stable ladder instead of the ground, and to place someone on the sash to help hold it steady.

Once you have removed all of the old putty, you can prepare the window frame to fit the new pane. Measure the width and height of the sash opening by subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). These measurements can be sent to an hardware or home centers store to get a piece cut of stock glass to the right size. You can also cut the glass by yourself if you have the right tools.

After putting the new pane in place After installing the new pane, apply a small amount of caulking around the edge to make it weatherproof. Then, you can install a glazier's pointing on the frame's opposite side to secure the pane in the right place. The points shouldn't be so tight that they create friction between the sash and the frame however they should not be too loose.

Before putting the putty on, make sure to knead it until it's soft and free of lumps. Cut it into pencil-sized pieces. Apply the first strip 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 tiny triangular pieces of metal that help secure the glass to the frame without causing any damage to the fragile surface. Knowing how to use these hidden little helpers is easy and could save you money on a professional installation or the cost of new glass.

After the old putty and the glazier's points have been removed and the frame is thoroughly cleaned using a utility knife to remove any remaining traces. If needed it is necessary to lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves to smooth out rough areas. If you do sand your wood, ensure you protect it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

Take the dimensions of the frame and note down precise measurements. Take these measurements to an hardware store or home center and have the new pane cut smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a secure fit and leave room for expansion and contraction.

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

Apply a thin layer of glazing compound on the rabbet grooves as well as the edges of new glass. This will seal and Replacement Sash Windows protect the edges. Let it dry completely and cure.

After the glazing compound dries it's time to put in 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 up moisture and deteriorating and cracking with time. Apply the coat using a brush or the tip of your knife, and then use the chisel or the back end of the putty knife to gently press the new sash and glazier's point into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown at you or an unintentional rock, or a falling branch can cause a window pane to crack or break. Luckily, most windows can be repaired by simply putting a new piece in the right place. The glass is held in position by a small metal clip, also known as the glazier's point, and putty. This compound is also known as glazing compound. Before installing a replacement windows prices sash windows (More inspiring ideas) pane, first remove the old one and clean the area with an abrasive and a pull-type paint scraper or a wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves when you work. You'll need a heating gun when the window is fixed to the frame.

If you're planning to install the original sash, remove the molding pieces that are used to secure the old pane. Then sand the sash to make sure it's flat and ready for a new caulk. Once the sash is re-installed, apply a new silicone caulk around the glass to ensure it won't leak or discolor in time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets, or the grooves in the sash, where the glass is. If they're difficult to chisel, hold an instrument such as a heating gun over them to soften first. If you're using a heat gun, make sure not to scratch the railings or sash by placing the tool too tightly.

After the old points of glazing and putty have been removed, prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, shaping it to be about 1/2-inch thick. Press it into the rabbets where the glass will be placed. It is crucial that the glass sits on the putty in all places on both sides So if you have to tap it, gently press the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has damaged, you can use the silicone caulk or glass glue made from solvents to cover the crack prior to pressing it into the sash. If the crack isn't sealed, you will require putty to keep the water out. After the putty is dry and the film is oily, wipe it off the glass with the help of a rag. Allow it to dry completely prior to painting. Paint before the putty has dried completely. It won't make a strong seal and could leak or discolor with time.

Paint

If you've experienced a broken window pane, you may be concerned about the expense of replacing it. In reality, replacing a single pane of glass doesn't have to be expensive if you do it on your own. In fact even windows with double panes can be replaced at a fraction of the cost of an expert.

If you're working with large glass windows, first make sure it is securely fixed to the frame. Using the proper tools and techniques, you can accomplish this task fairly easily and fast.

When you're ready to start with the removal of the old window by removing the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles that act as "nails" which hold 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 holds the window firmly in place and conceals the points.

After removing the old pane, clean the frame and wood. Scrape away any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were. These should be sanded to the point of being bare, so that you can 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.

The next step is to determine the width of the window opening. You'll need to determine the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the entire opening as well as the thickness. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure that you get a precise size for the new pane. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. You can take these measurements to a hardware store 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.