How to Replace Window Pane Window Panes

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

This is a project you could take on yourself for less than 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 insulation glass to improve energy efficiency, cut down on noise, and protect the historic integrity of your old home. The process of replacing windows is easy and can be completed by homeowners with basic hand tools. In addition to a replacement window handle pane, Replace window pane the following items are needed: latex glazing putty; Glazier's points; pliers and an electric heater to warm the old putty, if needed. Before beginning, wear gloves and safety glasses as working with broken glass can cause injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. This can be done with a pair of pliers, however, flathead screwdrivers can be used in the pinch. Make use of a wood chisel or putty knives, to take away any old putty that remains around the frame and the window sash. Be careful to not damage the window sash. Be careful and slow. This is best done on a ladder, not on the ground. Also, you should have someone below the sash ensure it is held steady.

Make sure that the window frame is ready to accept the new pane when you have removed the old putty. Measure the width and height of the opening for the sash and subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). These measurements can be taken to a hardware or home center store to have cut a piece of glass stock to the proper size. You can cut the glass yourself if you possess the right tools.

After putting the new pane in place, run a small bead of caulking around the edge to ensure it is weatherproof. Install a glazier's pointing on both sides of the frame. This will secure the pane. The points shouldn't be too tight that they create friction between the frame and sash, but they also should not be too loose.

Before putting the putty on, work it in a gentle manner until it's soft and free of lumps. Cut it into pencil-sized pieces. Apply the first strip in the corner of the frame, working from one corner to another so that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

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

After the old putty as well as the glazier's points have been removed and the frame is thoroughly cleaned with a utility knife to remove any remaining residue. Lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves if needed to smooth out rough areas. If you decide to sand the wood, be sure to protect it by using painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Measure the empty frame's dimensions and note down precise measurements. These measurements can be brought to the hardware or home center store, and the new frame will be cut a bit smaller. This will ensure that the pane fits snugly and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and press it in place by using your hands. Then, you can use the point of your chisel, or the back of the putty knife to make a tap on the glazier's facets, as illustrated in Figure 11. When you're done taping, they should be in line with the top edge of the pane and the raised shoulders of the points should be just below the rabbet's lip. groove.

Apply a thin bead of glazing compound on the edges of the new glass 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 heavy coat of linseed oil. This will keep the new putty from soaking up the moisture and deteriorating and cracking over time. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or the point of the blade. Then use the chisel on the back of the putty tool or the back of the handle to gently hit the new sash, or glazier's point into grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches along the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A baseball that is thrown, an errant rock or a fallen branch can cause a window to crack or break. Luckily, most windows can be repaired by simply putting a new piece of glass in its the right place. The glass is held in place by tiny metal clips known as a glazier's point, and putty, also called glazing compound. Before installing a new pane, first remove the old one and clean up the area with a rag and an abrasive scraper that is a pull type or the wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves while working. You'll require a heat gun if the window is glued into the frame.

If you plan to reinstall the original sash, remove the molding pieces that hold the old pane in place. Then sand the sash to ensure it's level and ready to be re-caulked. Once the sash is installed, you can apply a silicone caulk on the glass. This will ensure that it won't be leaking or fade over time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets and the grooves in the sash that the glass sits. If they're difficult to chisel, hold a hand tool such as a heatgun over them for a few minutes to soften them. When using a heated tool, be sure to not damage the sash's railings and sash.

After the old glaze points and putty are removed, make a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your fingers and make it about 1/2 inch thick. Then, push it into the rabbets where the glass will be. 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 with your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can apply a silicone caulk or a glass glue made from solvents to seal the crack before pressing it in the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you'll require putty to keep water from getting in. After the putty is dry, clean the oily film off the glass using an abrasive and allow it to dry completely prior to painting. Paint after the putty has dried completely. It won't create a solid seal and could leak or discolor with time.

Paint

If you've suffered a break in a window pane, then you may be worried about the cost of replacing it. The truth is, replacing a single pane of glass doesn't need to be expensive when you do it on your own. In fact windows with double panes can be replaced for only a fraction of the cost of a professional.

If you are working with a large glass window first ensure it is securely fixed to the frame. This job is relatively easy and fast using the right tools and techniques.

When you are ready to start, remove the old window pane. Remove the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. These are small metal triangles that function as "nails" that hold the window in the frame. They are buried beneath a glaze putty or bead that hardens to solid wedge that holds the wood frame in place and hides the points.

Once you have the old pane taken away Clean up the frame and wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used and sand the rabbet grooves that the glazing points were. These should be sanded to bare wood, so that you can paint them the same shade as the rest of the frame. After sanding the wood then apply a layer of flax oil. This will help to prolong the life of the frame.

Next, measure the dimensions of the window opening. You'll need to take vertical and horizontal measurements of the entire opening, and also the thickness of the old pane. To get 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. You can bring these measurements to a hardware or home improvement shop and get 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.