How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged or cracked upvc replacement window handles can be a source of frustration. This could be an opportunity to upgrade to energy-efficient windows or insulated ones and enjoy advantages like improved comfort, increased resale value and reduced utility bills.

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

Glass

Replace your single-paned windows using tempered or insulation glass to improve energy efficiency, cut down on noise, and maintain the historical integrity of your older home. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can replace window handles; just click the following page, Replace Window Handles the window pane. You will also need an extra window pane, glazier's tips, pliers, and latex glaze putty. If needed you can use a heatgun to warm the old putty. Wear safety glasses and gloves before you begin. Working with broken glass can cause serious injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. This is best accomplished with a pair of pliers, however, flathead screwdrivers can be used in a pinch. Utilize a wood chisel or putty knives, to take away any remaining old putty around the frame and the window sash. Be careful to not scratch the window sash. Take your time and work slowly. This is best done on an elevated ladder, not on the ground. Also, have someone below the sash keep it in place.

Make sure the window frame is ready to receive the new pane after you have removed the old glue. Measure the width and height of the sash opening, 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 have a piece of stock glass cut to size. You can also cut the glass by yourself if you possess the right tools.

After installing the glass, apply a small amount of caulking around 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 should not be too tight that they create friction between the frame and sash However, they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty on the surface, knead thoroughly until it is smooth and free from lumps. Then make it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip to 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 pieces of metal that allow glass to be secured into the window frame without damaging the delicate surface. It's simple to learn how to use this hidden tool, and you'll save money on the expense of an expert installation.

After the old putty and the glazier's points have been removed, thoroughly clean the frame with a utility knife to get rid of any remaining residue. 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 note down precise measurements. These measurements can be brought to a home center or hardware store and the new pane will be cut to a smaller size. This will ensure a tight fit and will allow room for expansion and contraction.

Insert the new pane into the frame and press it down using your hands. Then, use the tip of your chisel or the back of the putty knife to tap in the glazier's points, as shown in Figure 11. When you're done taping, they should be in line with the top edge of the pane, and the shoulders that are raised of the points should be below the lip of the rabbet groove.

Apply a small amount of glazing compound over the edges of the new glass 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. The first step is to coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will stop the new putty from drying out or cracking when it absorbs moisture. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or even the tip of the blade. Then, use the chisel on the back of the putty tool or the back of the handle to gently hit the new sash, or glazier's point into grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.

Putty

A baseball that is thrown or a rock that is errant or a falling branch can cause a window to crack or break. Fortunately, the majority of windows can be replaced by simply placing a new piece of glass in its the proper place. The glass is held into position by a small metal clip, called a glazier's point and putty. This compound is also referred to as glazing compound. Before installing a new pane, first take out the old one and clean up the area using an abrasive and an abrasive scraper that is a pull type or a wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while working. You'll need a heat gun in the event that the window is glued into the frame.

If you're planning to reinstall the original sash, take off the molding that supports the old pane. Then sand the sash to make sure it's flat and ready for new caulk. After the sash has been re-installed, apply a new caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure it doesn't swell or fade in time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets, or the grooves in the sash where the glass is. If they are hard to chisel, hold the hand tool, such as a heating gun over them to soften first. When using a heating tool, be careful to avoid damaging the sash and its railings.

Once the old points of glazing and putty are removed, make a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope made of glazing compound between your fingers, and make it around 1/2 inch thick. Place it into the rabbets, where the glass will be put. It is essential that the glass is positioned against the putty in all places on each side, so if you need to, lightly tap the 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 before pressing it into the sash. If the crack isn't sealed, you will require putty to keep water from getting in. Once the putty is dry clean the oily film from the glass and let it dry completely before you paint. If you paint before the putty is fully dry, it won't create an effective seal and could be leaking or discoloring in time.

Paint

If you've had a broken window pane, you may be worried about the expense of replacing it. The truth is, replacing a single piece 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 only a fraction of the cost of an expert.

If you are working on a large window, ensure that it is securely attached to the frame. Using the proper tools and techniques you can complete this task easily and speedy.

When you are ready to begin taking down the old window pane. Pry out the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles that act as "nails" that keep the window in place in the wood frame. They are placed under a bead or glazing glue which hardens into solid wedge that holds the wood frame firmly in position and hides the points.

After taking off the old pane clean the frame and wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used, and sand the rabbet grooves that the glazing points were. These should be sanded down to bare wood to allow you to paint them the same color as the rest the frame. After the sanding process, apply a coat of flax oil on the bare wood to extend the life of the frame.

The next step is to measure the dimensions of the window opening. You'll need to take vertical and horizontal measurements of the entire opening and also 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. Take these measurements to a hardware or home improvement store, and they will have a piece cut for you.

Now, it's time to bed the new window pane. To do this, Replace Window Handles 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.