How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window is a nuisance. This could be an opportunity to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones and enjoy benefits like increased comfort, higher resale value and reduced utility costs.

You can do it yourself for a fraction of what it would cost to hire an expert. It requires the right tools and only an hour or two of your time.

Glass

Replace your old single-paned windows using tempered or insulation glass to improve energy efficiency, reduce noise, and protect the historic integrity of your home's older. Most homeowners with basic hand tools can replace window handles (www.saju1004.Net) windows with ease. You will also need an extra window pane, glazier's suggestions, pliers, and latex glaze putty. If needed you may make use of a heat gun to warm the old putty. Before starting, wear gloves and safety goggles as working with broken glass can cause injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. This is best done using a pair of pliers, though using a flathead screwdriver can also be effective in the 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 damage the window sash. Work slowly and carefully. It is best to do this using a sturdy ladder rather than the ground and have someone standing below the sash to help hold it steady.

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

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

Before applying the putty to the surface, knead thoroughly until it becomes soft and free from lumps. Cut it into pencil-sized pieces. Apply the first strip in the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to another so that it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are the small triangular pieces of metal that allow glass to be secured into frames for windows without scratching or damaging the fragile surface. Knowing how to use these hidden little helpers is easy and can save you money on professional installation or the cost of purchasing new glass.

After the old putty and the glazier's points have been removed, thoroughly clean the frame with a utility knife to remove any remaining traces. Lightly sand the frame in the rabbet grooves if needed to smooth rough areas. If you decide to sand the wood, be sure to protect it with painter's tack to avoid accidental damage.

Measure the empty frame's dimensions and record precise measurements. Take these dimensions to a hardware store or home center, and 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 in the frame and push firmly with your hands. Then, use the tip of your chisel, or the back end of the putty knife to tap in the glazier's points as shown in Figure 11. When you're done, 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 rabbet's rim groove.

Apply a thin bead 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 and cure fully.

When the glazing compound is dry it's time to put in the new window sash. First, saturate the wood with a heavy coat of linseed oil. This will prevent the new putty from drying out and cracking due to the moisture it absorbs. Apply the coat using a brush or the edge of your putty knife, then use the chisel or the back end of the knife to gently press the new sash and glazier's points into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown, a rock thrown in error, or a tree falling can result in a cracked or cracked window. Fortunately, windows can be easily replaced by simply placing a new piece of glass in its place. 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. Remove the old pane and Replace Window Handles clean the area with the rag, a pull-type scraper, or a wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while working. You'll need a heat gun if the window is glued into the frame.

If you are planning to reinstall the original replacement sash windows, take off the molding that holds the old pane. Sand the sash until it is flat and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is re-installed then, apply a new caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure it doesn't swell or fade as time passes.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash, where the glass is. If they're hard to chisel out, you can try holding a hand tool like a heat gun over them to soften them first. If you're using a heating gun, be careful not to damage the railings of the sash or the sash itself by placing the tool too close.

Prepare the bed for your new pane by removing the old glaze and putty. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your hands, shaping it into a 1/2-inch thick. Press it into the rabbets where the glass will be placed. The glass must be positioned against the putty on both sides. If you need to, lightly tap your glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked you can fill it with a solvent-based glass glue or silicone caulk before pressing it into the sash. If not, you'll have to apply putty over the crack to form an impervious seal to keep water out. After the putty has dried clean the oily film off the glass and allow it to dry completely before you paint. If you paint before the putty has completely dry, it won't form a strong seal and may be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a broken piece of glass. The truth is, replacing a single pane glass doesn't need to be costly even if you do it your own. In fact, even a double-pane window can be replaced at less than the cost of an expert.

First, if you're working on a large window, make sure it is securely fixed to the frame. This job can be made relatively simple and fast with the appropriate tools and techniques.

When you are ready to begin taking down the old window pane. Pry out the metal glazing points that are attached to it. These are essentially small metal triangles that act as "nails" which hold the window in in the wood frame. They are buried beneath a bead or glazing glue that hardens to a solid wedge which holds the wood frame securely in place and Replace Window Handles hides the sharp edges.

After you have the old pane removed clean the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used and sand down the rabbet grooves that the glazing points were placed. Sand them down to bare wood surfaces, so that you can paint the frames with the same shade. After sanding the wood then apply a layer of flax oil. This will help to prolong the life of the frame.

The next step is to measure the dimensions of the window opening. You'll need to determine the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the entire opening, as well as the thickness. To get the exact size of the new pane subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass during seasonal change. Take these measurements to a hardware or home improvement store, and they will 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.