How to Replace Window Panes

A cracked window pane can be a source of frustration. It could also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows and reap benefits like more 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. It requires the right tools and only an hour or two of your time.

Glass

If your single pane replacement windows near me are old damaged, cracked or deteriorating replacing them with modern glass that is tempered or insulated can improve energy efficiency and reduce noise while maintaining the historical integrity of older homes. The procedure of replacing the window pane is easy and can be completed by homeowners with basic hand tools. In addition to a new pane, the following tools are needed such as latex glazing putty; pliers, glazier's points and a heat gun for warming the old putty, if necessary. Wear safety glasses and gloves before you begin. Working with broken glass could result in serious injuries.

Take out any broken glass pieces remaining. This is best accomplished with pliers, but flathead screwdrivers can be used in a pinch. Then, use a wood chisel or putty knife remove the rest of the old putty from around the frame and the sash. Be careful not to break the window sash. Work slowly and carefully. It is a good idea to work on a stable ladder rather than on the ground, and to have someone stand below the sash to help keep it in place.

Once you have removed all the old putty, prepare the window frame to accommodate the new pane. Take measurements of the width and height of the opening in the sash, subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). Take these measurements to a 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 appropriate tools.

After installing the new glass Apply a small amount of caulking on the edges. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then install a glazier's point on each side of the frame to hold the pane in place. The points should not be so tight that they create friction between the frame and sash, but they should also not be loose.

Before applying the putty on the surface, knead thoroughly until it is smooth and free from lumps. Then, roll it into pencil-size strips. Place the first strip in the corner of the frame, working from one corner to the other so that it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

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

Once the old putty and glazier's points are removed Clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife to eliminate 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.

Take measurements of the empty frame and write down accurate measurements. Take these measurements to an hardware store or home center and Replacement double glazed windows have the new pane cut smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a tight fit, and allow for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and push it in using your hands. Utilize the point of the chisel, or the back of the putty blade to tap in 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 raised shoulders of the points should be below the rabbet's lip. groove.

Apply a small amount of glazing compound on the edges of the new glass and in the rabbet grooves to seal and protect them. Allow it to dry and cure fully.

Once the glazing compound has dried it's time to put in the new window sash. The first step is to coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will prevent the new putty drying out or cracking when it absorbs moisture. Apply the coat using a brush or the edge of your putty knife, and then use the chisel, or the back end of the knife to gently press the new sash and glazier's points into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process every 10 inches around the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A baseball hit or a rock thrown in error, or a tree falling can result in a cracked or cracked window. Most windows can be replaced by putting in a new piece. The glass is held in the position with a tiny metal clip, called a glazier’s point and putty. This compound is also known as glazing compound. Before installing a new pane, first get rid of the old one and clean up the area using an abrasive and the pull-type paint scraper or the wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while working. You'll need a heating gun when the window is fixed to the frame.

If you are planning to Replace Window Pane the original sash, remove the molding pieces that secure the old pane. Then, sand the sash to ensure it's smooth and ready to be re-caulked. Once the sash is re-installed and sanded, apply a fresh silicone caulk to the glass to ensure it won't leak or discolor as time passes.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash, where the glass is. If they're difficult to work out, try holding an instrument like a heat gun to soften them first. If you're using a heat gun, make sure not to scratch the railings or sash by holding the tool too close.

Make a bed for your new pane by removing the old putty and glazing points. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, and form it to be about 1/2-inch thick. Press it into the rabbets, where the glass will be placed. The glass should rest against the putty on both sides. If needed gently tap your glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked then you can seal it with a solvent-based glass glue or silicone caulk prior pressing it into the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you will need to use putty to keep water out. After the putty is dry and the film is oily, wipe it off the glass using the help of a rag. Allow it to dry completely prior to painting. Paint before the putty has dried completely. It will not make a strong seal and may leak or discolor with time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a damaged piece of glass. The truth is, replacing a single pane of glass doesn't need to be expensive even if you do it your own. In fact, even a double glazing replacement window-pane window can be replaced at only a fraction of the cost of an expert.

If you're working with large glass windows first, ensure that it is securely fixed to the frame. This task can be made relatively simple and fast with the appropriate tools and techniques.

If you're ready to begin, begin by removing the old window by removing the glazing points of metal that are connected to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles which function as "nails" that hold the window in in the wood frame. They are submerged beneath a glaze putty or bead that sets to form a solid wedge which holds the wood frame firmly in position and hides the sharp edges.

After taking off the old pane clean the frame and wood. Scrape away any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points used to be. Sand them to bare wooden surfaces, allowing you to paint the frames with the same color. After sanding the wood then apply a layer of flax oil. This will help to extend its life.

Next, measure the width of the window opening. It is necessary to take horizontal and vertical measurements of the entire opening, as well as the thickness of the old pane. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure you have the exact size for the new pane. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. You can bring 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.