How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window can cause a lot of trouble. This could be an opportunity to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones to enjoy benefits such as improved comfort, higher resale value and reduced utility bills.

You can do it yourself for less than what it would cost to employ an expert. You'll only require the proper tools and a few minutes of your time.

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If your single-pane windows are old, deteriorating or broken, replacing them with newer insulated or tempered glass can increase energy efficiency and decrease noise while preserving the original character of older homes. The process of replacing the window pane is easy and can be accomplished by anyone with basic hand tools. You will also need an extra window pane, glazier's tips, pliers, and latex double glazing replacement window putty. If you need to you may make use of a heat gun to warm the old putty. Before starting, wear gloves and safety glasses as working with broken glass can cause injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. This is best done using the help of pliers however, a flathead screwdriver may work in a pinch. Then, use a wooden chisel, Glass Replacement Windows or putty knife, to take the remainder of the old putty from the frame and sash. Work slowly and carefully, taking care not to break the current window sash. It is recommended to do this using a sturdy ladder rather than the ground and have someone standing below the sash to help hold it steady.

Make sure that the window frame is ready to receive the new pane after you have removed the old glue. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction by subtracting 1/8 inch from the measurements of width and height. Take these measurements to a hardware store or home center and find a piece glass cut to size. You can also cut the glass yourself if you have the tools you need.

After installing the new glass, apply a small amount of caulking on the edges. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then, place a glazier's tip on each side of the frame to secure the pane into place. The points shouldn't be too tight that they create friction between the frame and sash, but they should also not be loose.

Before applying the putty, work it in a gentle manner until it is soft and free of lumps. Then you can roll it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be glued to the frame's corner. Work from one corner to the next and ensure that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

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

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 residue. If necessary it is necessary to lightly sand the wood along grooves of the rabbets to smooth out rough areas. If you decide to sand wood, protect it with painter’s tape to avoid accidental damage.

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

Insert the new pane into the frame and press it down with your hands. Use the chisel's point, or the edge of the putty blade to tap in the glaziers' points as illustrated in Figure 11. When you're done, they should be flush with the top edge of the pane and the shoulders of the points should be just below the rabbet's rim groove.

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 and cure completely.

When the glazing compound is dry, you're ready to install the new window sash. The first step is to coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will stop the new putty from drying out and cracking as it absorbs moisture. Apply the coat using a brush or the tip of your knife, and then employ the chisel or back end of the knife to gently hammer the new sash and glazier's point into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown, a rock thrown in error, or a fallen tree can cause a broken or cracked window. Fortunately, windows can be easily replaced by simply placing a new piece in place. The glass is held into the position with a tiny metal clip, referred to as a glazier's point and putty. This compound is 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 an abrasive wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves when working. You'll require a heat gun when the window is fixed to the frame.

If you're planning to replace the original sash, take off the mold that holds the old pane. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is re-installed and sanded, apply a fresh silicone caulk around the glass to ensure it will not leak or change color over time.

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets, the grooves in the sash that the glass is. If they're hard to chisel out, try placing the hand tool, such as a heat gun to soften them before you do. If you're using a heat gun, be careful not to cause damage to the sash or its railings by using the tool too tightly.

Create a bed for your new pane by removing the old putty and glazing points. Roll a rope made of glazing compound between your fingers and make it around 1/2 inch thick. Press it into the rabbets where the glass will be placed. It's important that the glass rests against the putty in all places on both sides If you have to tap it, gently press the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack, you can cover it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk prior to pressing it into the sash. In other cases, you'll need to apply putty on the crack to create an impervious seal to keep water out. After the putty has dried, clean the oily film off the glass with the help of a rag. Allow it to dry completely prior to painting. If you paint before the putty has completely dry, it won't form a strong seal and may discolor or leak in time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a damaged piece of glass. But the truth is that replacing one glass pane does not require a huge amount of money when you do it yourself. Even double glazed windows replacement-paned windows can be replaced at a fraction of the cost it will cost for a professional.

If you are working with a large glass window first ensure it is securely fixed to the frame. By using the correct tools and techniques, you can make this task relatively easy and fast.

When you are ready to start, remove the old window pane. Pry out the metal glazing points that are attached to it. These are essentially small metal triangles which function as "nails" that keep the window in within the frame of wood. They are buried under a bead of glazing putty, which transforms into a solid molded wedge that holds the window firmly in place and conceals the window's points.

Once you have the old pane taken away clean the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used, and sand the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were placed. Sand them to bare wooden surfaces so you can paint the frames the same shade. After sanding, apply a layer of flax oil on the bare wood to help extend its lifespan.

Next, measure 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 you get a precise size for the new pane. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. Take these dimensions to your local 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, glass replacement windows 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.