How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window is an issue. This could be an opportunity to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones to enjoy benefits like increased comfort, increased resale values and reduced utility bills.

This is a project you could tackle yourself at only a fraction of the cost of hiring a professional. It requires the right tools and only an hour or two of your time.

Glass

If your single-pane windows are outdated broken, deteriorating or damaged replacing them with modern glass that is tempered or insulated can increase energy efficiency and reduce noise while also preserving the original character of older homes. Most homeowners with basic hand tools can Replace Window pane a window pane. In addition to a new pane, the following tools are required: latex glazing putty; glazier's points; pliers; and the use of a heat gun to warm the old putty, if needed. Before starting, wear gloves and safety goggles as working with broken glass may cause injuries.

Take out any broken glass pieces that remain. This is best done using pliers, but a flathead screwdriver can also work in a pinch. Use a wood chisel, or putty knives to remove any remaining old putty around the frame and window sash. Take your time and work slowly and be careful not to damage the old window sash. This should be done on a ladder, not on the ground. Also, have someone lower to ensure it is held steady.

Once you have removed all the old putty, prepare the window frame for the new pane. Find the width and the height of the opening in the sash and subtract 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 an item cut from glass that is in stock to the correct size. Alternatively, you can cut the glass yourself if you have the right tools.

After installing the glass Apply caulking around the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Install a glazier's point on both sides of the frame. This will secure the pane. The points shouldn't be too tight that they create friction between the sash and the frame however they shouldn't be too loose.

Before applying the putty, work it in a gentle manner until it is soft and free of lumps. Roll it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip in the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to another so that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier’s points are small triangular metal pieces that allow glass to be secured to the frame without damaging the delicate surface. Knowing how to use these hidden tiny helpers is simple and can save you money on a professional installation or the cost of new glass.

After getting rid of the old putty glazier points and any leftovers Clean the frame thoroughly using an utility knife. Lightly sand the wood into the rabbet grooves to smooth rough areas. If you decide to sand the wood, ensure you protect it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

Note down the exact dimensions of the frame. These measurements can be brought to a home center or hardware store, and the new frame will be cut to a smaller size. This will ensure that the pane fits perfectly and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane in the frame and press it into the frame using your hand. Then, you can use the point of your chisel, replace window pane or the back of the putty knife to make a tap on the glazier's points as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's points should be in line with the top edge of your pane, and the shoulders should be just below the lip.

Apply a small amount of glazing compound over the edges of the glass that has been made and into the rabbet grooves, to seal and protect them. Allow it to dry completely and cure.

When the glazing compound is dry and the glazing compound is dry, you can install the new window sash. First, coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will prevent the newly-created putty drying out or 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 of the knife to gently hammer the new sash and glazier's points 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 result in a cracked or cracked window pane. Fortunately, windows can be repaired by simply putting a new piece in the proper place. The glass is held into place 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 new pane, first take out the old one and clean the area with the help of a rag, the pull-type paint scraper or an abrasive wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while working. If the window is attached to the frame, you'll need to use a heat gun to soften the adhesive prior to cutting it loose.

If you plan to reinstall the original sash, gently remove the molding pieces that are used to secure the old pane. Then sand the sash to ensure it's level and ready for a new caulk. After the sash has been re-installed and sanded, apply a fresh silicone caulk to the glass to ensure it doesn't swell or fade in time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets. These are the grooves in the sash, which is where the glass is. If they're hard to chisel, use an instrument like a heat gun over them for a few minutes to soften them. If you're using a heating gun, be careful not to cause damage to the railings or sash by placing the tool too close.

Make a bed for your new pane by removing the old glaze and putty. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your hands, and form it to be 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 necessary gently tap your glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack, you can cover it with a solvent-based glass glue or silicone caulk prior pressing it into the sash. In other cases, you'll need to apply putty on the crack to create an airtight seal and keep water out. After the putty has dried, clean the oily film off the glass with an abrasive and allow it to dry completely prior to painting. Paint after the putty is completely dry. It won't make a strong seal and could leak or discolor with time.

Paint

If you've suffered a break in a window pane, you might be worried about the expense of a new one. It's true that replacing a single pane of glass doesn't need to be expensive if you do it on your own. Even a double glazed window replacement-paned window could be replaced at a fraction of the cost it will cost an expert.

If you are working with a large glass window first, ensure that it is securely attached to the frame. With the right tools and techniques to make this task relatively easy and quick.

If you're ready to begin with the removal of the old window by removing the metal glazing points that are connected to it. These are essentially small metal triangles that act as "nails" that hold the window in place in the wood frame. They are submerged beneath a glaze putty or bead that sets to form an unbreakable wedge that holds the frame firmly in position and hides the points.

After removing the old pane, clean the frame and the wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used, and sand the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were. These should be sanded to bare wood, to allow you to paint them the same color as the rest the frame. After sanding, apply a coat of flax oil on the wood that is not sanded down to extend the life of the frame.

Next, measure the width of the window replacement panes's opening. It is necessary to take vertical and horizontal measurements of the entire opening as well as the thickness of the old pane. To determine the exact dimensions of the new pane, subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. Bring these measurements to a hardware or home improvement store and ask them to cut you 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.