How to Replace Window Pane Window Panes

A damaged window pane can be a nuisance. It can also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows, and benefit from improved comfort, increased 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

If your single-pane windows are old damaged, cracked or deteriorating replacing them with more modern glass that is tempered or insulated will increase energy efficiency and decrease noise while preserving the historic integrity of older homes. The procedure of replacing the window pane is easy and can be accomplished by anyone with basic hand tools. In addition to a new pane, the following tools are required such as latex glazing putty; Glazier's points; pliers and a heat gun for warming the old putty, if necessary. Wear safety goggles and gloves before you begin. Working with broken glass can cause serious injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. It is best to use pliers for this, but a flathead can be useful as well. Make use of 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 making sure not to break the current window sash. This is best done on a ladder, not the ground. Also, have someone below the sash ensure it is held steady.

Make sure the window frame is ready to accommodate the new pane after you have removed the old putty. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction, subtract 1/8 inch each from the measurements of the width and height. Take these measurements to the nearest hardware store or home center and find a piece glass cut to size. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself if you have the appropriate tools.

After putting in the new glass After installing the glass, apply 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 shouldn't be too tight that they create friction between the sash and frame however they should not be too loose.

Before applying the putty to the surface, knead thoroughly until it is smooth and free of lumps. Then you can roll it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be glued to the frame's corner. Work from one corner to another, making sure it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular pieces of metal which help to secure glass into frames for windows without scratching or damaging the fragile surface. It's easy to understand how to use this secret tool, and you'll be able to save money on the cost of an installation by a professional.

Once the old putty and the glazier's points have been removed and the frame is thoroughly cleaned with a knife to get rid of any remaining traces. If necessary, Replace window Pane lightly sand the wood along rabbet grooves to smooth rough spots. If you do sand the wood, make sure to protect it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

Note down the dimensions of the frame. These dimensions can be taken to an hardware or home centers store, and the new pane will be cut a bit smaller. This will ensure that the pane fits snugly and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane in the frame and press it down using your hands. Utilize the chisel's point or the back of the putty knife to tap in the glaziers' points as shown in Figure 11. When you're done taping, they should be level with the top edge of the pane and the shoulders that are raised of the points should be just below the rabbet's rim groove.

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

Install the new window sash when the glazing compound has dried. First, you need to coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will keep the new putty from soaking up moisture and deteriorating and cracking with time. Use a brush to apply this coat, or even the tip of the blade. Then, use the chisel that is on the back of the putty tool or the back of the handle to gently smash the new sash or glazier's point into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches around the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A hurled baseball, an errant rock or a fallen branch can cause a window replacement near me pane to crack or break. Most windows can be repaired easily by putting in a new piece. The glass is held into the position with a tiny metal clip, called a glazier’s point and putty. This compound is also referred to as glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area with a rag, a pull-type scraper or wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves when working. If the window is glued to the frame, you'll need to employ a heat gun in order to soften the adhesive prior to taking it off.

If you're planning to install your original sash, you must remove the molding that holds the old pane. Sand the sash until it is flat and ready to receive new caulk. Once the sash is installed then, apply a new silicone caulk around the glass to ensure that it doesn't swell or fade as time passes.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets. These are the grooves in the sash where the glass is. If they're difficult to cut, place a hand tool like a heat gun over them to soften first. When using a heat tool, be sure to not scratch the sash or its railings.

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, press it into the rabbets in which the glass will be. The glass should rest against the putty on both sides. If needed, lightly tap your glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has cracked, you can use a silicone caulk or a glass glue that is based on solvents to cover the crack prior to pressing it in the sash. If the crack isn't sealed, you will require putty to keep water from getting in. Once the putty is dry, wipe the oily film from the glass and let it dry completely before you paint. If you paint before the putty is fully dry, it will not form an effective seal and could leak or discolor in time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a damaged piece of glass. It's true that replacing a single piece of glass doesn't have to be costly when you do it on your own. Even double glazing replacement windows-paned windows can be replaced for a fraction of what it will cost an expert.

First, if you're working on a large-sized window, ensure that it is securely attached to the frame. This task is relatively easy and fast using 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 tiny triangles of metal that act as "nails" to hold the window in the frame. They are buried beneath a bead or glazing putty that hardens to a solid wedge that holds the wood frame securely in place and hides the sharp edges.

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

Next, measure the width of the window 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 you get the exact measurement for the new pane. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. You can take these measurements to a hardware or home improvement shop and get 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.