How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane could cause a lot of trouble. It could also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows and reap benefits like greater comfort, a higher potential for resales, and less costs.

It's a task you can take on yourself for only a fraction of the cost of hiring an expert. It requires the right equipment and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

If your single-pane windows are old damaged, cracked or deteriorating replacing them with modern glass that is tempered or insulated can increase energy efficiency and decrease noise while preserving the historical integrity of older homes. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can replace Window pane a window pane. You will also require an extra window pane, glazier's suggestions, pliers, and latex glaze putty. If you need to, you can use a heating gun to warm the old putty. Wear safety glasses and gloves prior to beginning. Working with broken glass can cause serious injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. It is recommended to use pliers, but a flathead can work equally. Utilize a wood chisel or putty knives, to take away 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. It is a good idea to do this using a sturdy ladder rather than on the ground, and to place someone on the sash to help hold it steady.

After you have removed all the old putty, you can prepare the window 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 height. Take these measurements to the nearest hardware store or home center, and have a piece of stock glass cut to size. Alternatively, you can cut the glass yourself if you have the tools you need.

After installing the new glass Apply a small amount of caulking around the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then install a glazier's point on the frame's opposite side to hold the pane in place. The points shouldn't be so tight that they cause friction between the frame and the sash however they should not be loose.

Before putting the putty on, knead it thoroughly until it is soft and free of lumps. Make it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip to the frame's corner. Work from corner to corner, making sure it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

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

After getting rid of the old putty glazier points, and any other residue Clean the frame thoroughly with an utility knife. If needed you can lightly sand the wood along grooves of the rabbets to smooth rough areas. If you do sand the wood, be sure to protect it by using painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Note down the exact dimensions of the frame. These measurements can be brought to an hardware or home centers store and the new pane will be cut a bit smaller. This will ensure a secure fit and leave room for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and press it into the frame by using your hands. Then use the point of your chisel or back end of the putty knife to make a tap on the glazier's facets, as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's points should sit flush against the top edge of your pane and the shoulders raised should be just below the lip.

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. Allow it to dry and cure completely.

Install the new window sash after the glazing compound has dried. First, replace window pane saturate the wood with a heavy coat of Linseed oil. This will stop the new putty from soaking in the moisture and deteriorating and cracking over time. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or the tip of the putty blade. Then use the chisel on the back of the putty tool or the back of the putty handle to gently hit the new sash, or glazier's tip into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball hit, a rock thrown in error or a branch falling can cause a broken or cracked window pane. Fortunately, windows can be replaced by simply putting a brand new piece of glass in its place. The glass is held in place by small clips made of metal called a glazier's point and putty, often called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area with an abrasive, pull-type scraper or wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves when you work. If the window is attached to the frame, you'll have to employ a heat gun in order to soften the adhesive before taking it off.

If you're planning to install the original sash in the future, take care to remove any pieces of molding that are used to secure the old pane. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is installed then, apply a new caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure that it will not leak or change color as time passes.

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets and the grooves in the sash where the glass sits. If they're difficult to work out, try holding a hand tool like a heat gun over them to soften them first. 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 tightly.

Prepare the bed for your new pane after 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. Then, you can press it into the rabbets where the glass will be. It is essential that the glass sits on the putty on each side So if you have to do so, gently tap the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can apply a silicone caulk or a glass glue made from solvents to fill in the crack prior to pressing it into the sash. Otherwise, you'll need to apply putty on the crack to form an airtight seal and keep water out. After the putty has dried, clean the oily film off the glass using the help of a rag. Allow it to dry completely before painting. If you paint before the putty is completely dry, it will not form an effective seal and could leak or discolor over time.

Paint

If you've suffered a break in a window pane, you might be worried about the expense of a new one. The truth is, replacing a single pane of glass doesn't need to be costly if you do it on your own. In fact even windows with replacement double glazing windows panes can be replaced at only a fraction of the cost of an expert.

If you are working on a large window, make sure it is securely attached to the frame. Using the proper tools and techniques to make this task relatively easy and quick.

Once you're ready to begin, begin by removing the old window by removing the glazing points of metal that are connected to it. These are basically small metal triangles that act as "nails" that keep the window in place within the frame of wood. They are buried under a bead of glazing putty that hardens into a solid, formed wedge that holds the window firmly in place and conceals the edges.

After removing the old pane, window glass Replacement clean the frame and the wood. Scrape away any old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves, where the glazing points were. Sand them down to bare wooden surfaces so you can paint the frames with the same color. After sanding the wood, apply a layer of flax oil. This will help to extend its life.

Then, take measurements of the dimensions of the window's 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 that you get a precise size for the new pane. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. You can bring 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.