How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window can be a source of frustration. It can also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows, and benefit from improved comfort, increased potential for resales, and less 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 minutes of your time.

Glass

Replace Window Pane your single-paned windows using tempered or insulated glass to increase the efficiency of your energy, reduce noise, and protect the historical integrity of your old home. The process of replacing a window pane is relatively easy and can be accomplished by homeowners with basic hand tools. Alongside a replacement pane, the following items are needed for the replacement double glazing windows process: latex glazing putty pliers, glazier's points and an electric heater to warm the old putty if required. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to starting. Working with broken glass could cause serious injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. This can be done with pliers, however, flathead screwdrivers can be used in the pinch. Then, use a wooden chisel or putty knife to remove the rest of the old putty from around the frame and sash. Work slowly and carefully and be careful not to break the existing window sash. It is best to work using a sturdy ladder instead of the ground and to have someone standing below the sash in order to help hold it in place.

After you have removed all of the old putty, it is time to prepare the upvc window handle replacement frame to fit the new pane. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction and contraction, subtract 1/8 inch from the measurements of width and replace Window pane height. These measurements can be taken to an hardware or home centers store to have a piece cut of glass stock to the proper size. You can also cut the glass yourself if you have the tools you need.

After installing the glass, apply a small amount of caulking to the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Install a glazier’s point on both sides of the frame. This will ensure the pane. The points shouldn't be too tight as to cause friction between the frame and sash however they should not be too loose.

Before putting the putty on, knead it thoroughly until it is smooth and free of lumps. Then, roll it into pencil-size strips. Apply the first strip 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 the tiny triangular pieces of steel which help to secure glass into frames for windows without damaging or scratching the delicate surface. Understanding how to use these tiny helpers is simple and can save you money on a professional installation or the cost of purchasing new glass.

Once the old putty and glazier's points are removed and the frame is thoroughly cleaned using a utility knife to remove any remaining traces. Lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves if needed to smooth out rough areas. If you sand wood protect it with painter's tape to protect it from damage caused by accidental sanding.

Measure the empty frame's dimensions and write down accurate measurements. Take these measurements to an hardware store or home center and request that the new pane cut smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a secure fit, and allow for expansion and contraction.

Place the new window in the frame and press it into the frame 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 points, as shown in Figure 11. After you're done, the points should be flush with the top edge of the pane and the shoulders that are raised of the points should be just below the lip of the rabbet groove.

Apply a thin bead of glazing compound over 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. First, saturate the wood with a thick coat of linseed oil. This will stop the new putty drying out or cracking due to the moisture it absorbs. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or the point of the blade. Then use the chisel that is on the back of the tool or the back of the handle to gently hit the new sash, or glazier's point into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process every 10 inches around the frame's perimeter.

Putty

A baseball thrown at you or an unintentional rock, or a falling branch can cause a window to crack or break. The majority of windows can be replaced by simply putting in a fresh piece. The glass is held in place by a small metal clip called a glazier's point and putty, often called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area with the rag, a scraper that is a pull type or a wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves while working. You'll need a heat gun in the event that the window is glued into the frame.

If you plan to reinstall the original sash, remove any molding pieces that secure the old pane. Then you can sand the sash down to ensure it's level and ready for a new caulk. After the sash has been reinstalled it is possible to apply a silicone caulk over the glass. This will ensure that it won't get soiled or discolor over time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash, where the glass is. If they're hard to chisel out, you can try holding an instrument like a heat gun to soften them up first. When using a heated tool, make sure to avoid damaging the sash or its railings.

Once the old glaze points and putty are removed, prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope with glazing compound between your fingers and make it about 1/2 inch thick. Then, press it into the rabbets where the glass will be. It's important that the glass sits on the putty on each side So if you have to, lightly tap the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is damaged, you can use a silicone caulk or a glass glue that is based on solvents to fill in the crack prior to pressing it into the sash. If not, you'll have to putty over the crack to form a tight seal and keep water out. When the putty dries, clean the oily film off the glass using the help of a rag. Allow it to dry completely prior to painting. If you paint before the putty is completely dry, it will not form an effective seal and could be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

If you've had a broken window pane, you may be concerned about the expense of replacing it. In reality, replacing a single pane of glass doesn't need to be expensive if you do it on your own. In fact even windows with double panes can be replaced for less than the cost of a professional.

If you're working with large glass windows first ensure it is securely attached to the frame. Using the proper tools and techniques to accomplish this task fairly easily and speedy.

If you're ready to begin taking off the old window by removing the glazing points 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 placed under a bead of glazing putty, which is then cured to form a solid, formed wedge that secures the window in place and conceals the points.

Once you have 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. These should be sanded down to the point of being bare, so that you can paint them the same shade as the rest of the frame. After sanding the wood you can apply a layer flax oil. This will help extend its life.

Next, measure the dimensions of the window opening. You will need to measure the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the entire opening as well as the thickness. To determine 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 in times of seasonal changes. Bring these measurements to a hardware or home improvement store, and they will have cut the glass 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.