How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane can be an inconvenience. This could be an opportunity to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones and enjoy benefits such as improved comfort, increased resale value and reduced utility costs.

You can do it yourself for a a fraction of what it would cost to hire an expert. You'll only require the right tools and a few hours of your time.

Glass

Replace window pane your old single-paned windows with tempered insulated glass to increase the efficiency of your energy, reduce noise, and preserve the historical integrity of your old home. The procedure of replacing the window pane is easy and can be completed by most homeowners who possess basic hand tools. Alongside a replacement upvc window handles pane, the following tools are required: latex glazing putty; Glazier's points; pliers and an electric heater to warm the old putty, if necessary. Before beginning, wear protective gloves and goggles since working with broken glass may cause injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. This is best done using the help of pliers but a flathead screwdriver can also be used in the pinch. Make use of a wood chisel or putty knives, to take away any old putty remaining around the frame and window sash. Be careful to not break the window sash. Take your time and work slowly. This should be done on a ladder, not on the ground. Also, have someone on the ground to keep it in place.

Make sure that the window frame is ready to accept the new pane after you have removed the old glue. Take measurements of the width and height of the opening for the sash, subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). Take these measurements to an hardware store or home center and get a piece of stock glass cut to size. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself, if you have the right tools.

After installing the glass After installing the glass, apply some caulking on the edges. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then, place a glazier's tip on the frame's opposite side to secure the pane into the right place. The points shouldn't be too tight that they cause friction between the frame and the sash However, they should not be loose.

Before putting the putty on, make sure to knead it until it is smooth and replace window pane free of lumps. Make it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be glued to the corner of the frame. Work from one corner to the next and ensure that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are the tiny triangular pieces of steel that help secure glass into the frame of a window without scratching or damaging the fragile surface. It's easy to understand how to use this secret tool and you can save money on the expense of a professional installation.

Once 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 traces. Lightly sand the frame in the rabbet grooves if needed to smooth out rough areas. If you sand wood cover it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

Take the dimensions of the frame and record precise measurements. Take these measurements to a hardware store or a home center and have the new pane made slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure that the pane fits perfectly and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new window in the frame and press it into the frame by using your hands. Utilize the point of the chisel or the back of the putty knife to tap in the glazier's points, as shown in Figure 11. The glazier's point should be flush against the top edge of your pane, and the raised shoulders should be just below the lip.

Apply a thin layer glazing compound to the rabbet grooves and the edges of new glass. This will protect and seal the edges. Allow it to dry and cure completely.

When the glazing compound is dry and the glazing compound is dry, you can install the new window sash. First, you need to coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will prevent the new putty from taking up the moisture and drying out and cracking with time. Apply this coat using a brush or the tip of your putty knife, then use the chisel, or the back end of the putty knife to gently hammer the new sash and glazier's points into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches along the frame's perimeter.

Putty

A baseball thrown or a rock thrown in error, or a fallen tree can cause a broken or cracked window pane. Most windows can be replaced easily by putting in a new piece. The glass is held in place with small clips made of metal called a glazier's point and putty, which is often called glazing compound. Before you install a new pane, first remove the old one and clean up the area using the help of a rag, a pull-type paint scraper or the wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while you do this work. If the window is glued to the frame, you'll need use a heat gun to soften the adhesive before cutting it loose.

If you are planning to install the original sash, take off the molding that supports the old pane. Then sand the sash to ensure it's smooth and ready for a new caulk. After the sash has been put back in place then, you can apply a silicone caulk to the glass. This will ensure that it won't get soiled or discolor over time.

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets, or the grooves in the sash that the glass sits. If they're difficult to cut out, try holding an instrument like a heat gun to soften them before you do. If you're using a heat gun, make sure not to scratch the railings of the sash or the sash itself by using the tool too close.

After the old glaze points and putty have been removed prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope made of glazing compound between your fingers, and make it about 1/2 inch thick. Then, push it into the rabbets in which the glass will rest. It's important that the glass rests against the putty in all places on each side, so if you need to tap it, gently press the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane has cracked, you can use a silicone caulk or glass glue made from solvents to seal the crack before pressing it into the sash. If the crack isn't sealed, you'll need to apply putty to keep water from getting in. Once the putty is dry remove the oily film off the glass and allow it to dry completely before you paint. Paint before the putty is completely dry. It will not create a solid seal and could discolor or leak over time.

Paint

If you've suffered a break in a window pane, you might be worried about the expense of a new one. But the truth is that replacing one glass pane does not have to break the bank if you do it yourself. Even a double-paned window could be replaced for a fraction of the price it costs a professional.

If you are working on a large-sized window, make sure that it is securely fastened to the frame. This task can be made relatively simple and quick with the proper tools and techniques.

If you're ready to begin taking off the old window by removing the metal glazing points that are attached to it. These are essentially small metal triangles that function as "nails" that hold the window in within the frame of wood. They are buried under a bead of glazing putty that is then cured to form a solid, formed wedge which holds the window in place and hides the edges.

After you have the old pane taken away clean the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape off any old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were placed. Sand them down to bare wooden surfaces so you can paint the frames with the same shade. After sanding, apply a coat of flax oil to the bare wood to prolong its life.

Then, you need to measure the width of the window's opening. You will need to measure the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the entire opening as well as the thickness. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure that you get the exact measurement for the new pane. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass during seasons of change. You can take these measurements to a hardware store 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.