How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane could cause a lot of trouble. This can be an opportunity to upgrade to energy-efficient windows or insulated ones and enjoy benefits like increased comfort, higher resale value and reduced utility costs.

It's a task you can tackle yourself at 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 damaged, cracked or deteriorating replacing them with more modern insulated or tempered glass can improve energy efficiency and reduce noise while maintaining the historic integrity of older homes. Most homeowners with basic hand tools can repair a window pane. In addition to a replacement pane, the following items are required for the replacement upvc window handles process: latex glazing putty pliers, glazier's points and a heat gun for warming the old putty if required. Before starting, put on gloves and safety goggles as working with broken glass can cause injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. It is best to use pliers however a flathead could be useful 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. Be careful and slow, taking care not to break the existing window sash. It is a good idea to work on a stable ladder rather than the ground and have someone stand below the sash to help keep it in place.

Make sure the window frame is ready to receive the new pane once you have removed the old glue. Measure the width and height of the sash opening, subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). These measurements can be sent to a hardware or home center store to get cut a piece of glass stock to the proper size. Alternatively, you can cut the glass yourself, if you have the appropriate tools.

After putting in the new glass Apply caulking to the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Install a glazier’s point on both sides of the frame. This will help secure the pane. The points shouldn't be too tight that they cause friction between the frame and sash but they shouldn't be loose.

Before applying the putty knead it thoroughly until it's soft and free of lumps. Then you can roll it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip to the corner of the frame. Work from one corner to the next, making sure it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are the small triangular pieces which help to secure glass into the frame of a window without scratching or damaging the delicate surface. It's simple to learn how to use this nefarious tool, and you'll be able to save money on the cost of a professional installation.

After removing the old putty, glazier points as well as any remaining remnants Clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife. If needed you can lightly sand the wood in the grooves of the rabbets to smooth rough areas. If you sand wood cover it with painter's tape to protect it from damage caused by accidental sanding.

Take measurements of the empty frame and record precise measurements. Bring these measurements to a hardware store or a home center and request that the new pane cut smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure that the pane fits comfortably and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane in the frame and push firmly using your hands. Use the point of the chisel, or the back of the putty blade to tap in 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 raised shoulders should be just below the lip.

Apply a small amount of glazing compound on the edges of the new glass and into the rabbet grooves, to seal and protect them. Let it dry and cure completely.

When the glazing compound is dry, you're ready to install the new window sash. First, coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will stop the new putty from drying out and cracking when it absorbs moisture. Apply this coat with a brush or the tip of your knife, and then use the chisel, or the back end from the putty knife to gently press the new sash and glazier's point into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches around the frame's perimeter.

Putty

A baseball hit or a rock thrown by error, or a fallen tree can result in a cracked or cracked window. Luckily, most windows can be repaired by simply putting a brand new piece in 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 referred to as glazing compound. Before you install a new pane, first take out the old one and clean up the area with the help of a rag, the pull-type paint scraper or a wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while working. You'll need a heat gun if the window is glued into the frame.

If you are planning to install the original sash, take off the mold that holds the old pane. Then you can sand the sash down to ensure it's level and ready to be re-caulked. After the sash has been installed, you can apply a silicone caulk to the glass. This will ensure that it doesn't leak over time or discolor.

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets and the grooves in the sash that the glass sits. If they're hard to chisel, hold an instrument such as a heatgun over them to allow them to soften before. When using a heat tool, be sure to not damage the sash and its railings.

Prepare the bed for your new pane by removing the old putty and glazing points. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your fingers, and make it around 1/2 inch thick. Place it into the rabbets, where the glass will be put. It's important 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 cracked, you can use a silicone caulk or glass glue based on solvents to fill in the crack prior to pressing it in the sash. Otherwise, repaired you'll need to apply putty over the crack to form an impervious seal to keep water out. Once the putty is dry remove the oily film from the glass and allow it to dry completely before painting. Paint after the putty is completely dry. It won't create a solid seal and could leak or discolor with time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a broken pane of glass. The truth is, replacing a single piece of glass doesn't need to be costly if you do it on your own. Even a double-paned window can be replaced for a fraction of what it will cost an expert.

First, if you're working on a large window, make sure that 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 with the removal of the window pane. Pry out the metal glazing points attached to it. These are tiny metal triangles that function as "nails", holding the window in place. They are buried beneath a bead or glazing glue that hardens to solid wedge which holds the wood frame firmly in position and conceals the edges.

After you have removed the old pane removed clean the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape away any old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points used to be. Sand them down to bare wood surfaces, so that you can paint the frames with the same color. After sanding, apply a layer of flax oil on the wood that is not sanded down to help extend its lifespan.

Then, you need to measure the size of the window's opening. You'll need to take vertical and horizontal measurements of the entire opening as well as the thickness of the old pane. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure you get a precise size for the new pane. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass in times of seasonal change. You can take these measurements to a hardware or home improvement store 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.