How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane could cause a lot of trouble. This could be an opportunity to upgrade to energy-efficient windows or insulated ones and enjoy benefits like increased comfort, increased resale values and reduced utility costs.

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

Glass

If your single-pane windows are outdated damaged, cracked or deteriorating, replacing them with newer glass that is tempered or insulated will improve energy efficiency and reduce noise while preserving the historic integrity of older homes. Most homeowners with basic hand tools can repair windows with ease. You'll also require an extra window pane, glazier's suggestions, pliers, and latex glaze putty. If needed you may use a heatgun to warm the old putty. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to beginning. Working with broken glass could cause serious injuries.

Take out any broken glass pieces remaining. This is best done using a pair of pliers, though using a flathead screwdriver can also be used in the pinch. Then, use a wooden chisel or putty knife to take the remainder of the old putty from the frame and the sash. Be careful not to damage the window sash. Work slowly and carefully. It is recommended to do this on a sturdy ladder rather than the ground and to place someone on the sash to help keep it in place.

Make sure that the window frame is ready to accommodate the new pane once you have removed the old putty. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction and contraction, subtract 1/8 inch from the measurements of width and height. Bring these measurements to a hardware store or home center and get a piece of stock glass cut to size. You can cut the glass yourself if you possess the appropriate tools.

After installing the new pane after installing the new pane, put a tiny amount of caulking around the edge to make it weatherproof. Install a glazier's point on both sides of the frame. This will ensure the pane. The points should not be so tight that they create friction between the sash and the frame but they should not be too loose.

Before putting the putty on, Glazier make sure to knead it until it's soft and free of lumps. Then, roll it into pencil-size strips. The first strip should be glued to the corner of the frame. Work from one corner to the next to ensure it's even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular pieces of metal that allow glass to be secured into the frame of a window without scratching or damaging the delicate surface. It's simple to learn how to use this nefarious tool, and you'll save money on the expense of an installation by a professional.

After getting rid of the old putty glazier points, and any other remnants clean the frame thoroughly with an utility knife. If necessary it is necessary to lightly sand the wood in the grooves of the rabbets to smooth rough spots. If you do sand the wood, be sure to protect it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

Note down the dimensions of the frame. Bring these measurements to a hardware store or home center, and have the new pane made slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure that the pane fits perfectly and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane in the frame and push firmly using your hands. Then, use the tip of your chisel or back of the putty knife to make a tap on the glazier's points as illustrated in Figure 11. When you're done, they should be level with the top edge of the pane, and the shoulders of the points should be just below the rabbet's rim groove.

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

Install the new window sash after the glazing compound has dried. First, saturate the wood with a heavy coat of linseed oil. This will keep the new putty from sucking up the moisture and drying out and cracking over time. Use a brush to apply this coat, or the tip of the putty blade. Then, use the chisel that is on the back of the tool or the back of the handle to gently smash the new sash or glazier's point into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches along 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. The majority of windows can be replaced by putting in a new piece. The glass is held in place using a small metal clip called a glazier's point, and putty, often called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area with a rag, a pull-type scraper, or a wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while doing this work. You'll need a heating gun when the window is fixed into the frame.

If you're planning to install the original sash, gently remove any molding pieces that are used to secure the old pane. Sand the sash until it is flat and ready to receive new caulk. After the sash has been re-installed then, apply a new silicone caulk to the glass to ensure that it will not leak or change color as time passes.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets. These are the grooves in the sash, where the glass is located. If they're hard to chisel out, try holding the hand tool, such as a heat gun over them to soften them before you do. If you're using a heating gun, be careful not to damage the sash or its railings by using the tool too close.

After the old glaze points and putty are removed, glazier make a bed for the new pane. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, and form it into a 1/2-inch thick. Then, push it into the rabbets where the glass will be. It is essential that the glass rests against the putty in all places on each side So if you have to, lightly tap the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane has damaged, you can use a silicone caulk or glass glue made from solvents to fill in the crack before pressing it into the sash. If the crack isn't sealed, you will need to apply putty to keep the water out. After the putty is dry, clean the oily film off the glass replacement windows using the help of a rag. Allow it to completely dry before painting. Paint after the putty is completely dry. It will not create a solid seal and could be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

If you've had a broken window pane, you might be worried about the expense of replacing it. But the truth is that replacing one glass pane does not have to break the bank If you can do it yourself. In fact even windows with double glazing replacement window panes can be replaced for a fraction of the cost of a professional.

First, if you're working on a large window, make sure that it is securely attached to the frame. With the right tools and techniques, you can make this task relatively easy and quick.

When you're ready to start taking off the old window by removing the glazing points of metal that are attached to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles that function as "nails" that hold the window in in the wood frame. They are submerged beneath a layer of glazing putty, which is then cured to form a solid, formed wedge that holds the window firmly in place and hides the points.

After taking off the old pane clean the frame and the wood. Scrape off any old paint, and sand the rabbet grooves that the glazing points were. Sand them down to bare wood surfaces, so that you can paint the frames the same shade. After sanding, apply a coat of flax oil on the wood's surface to help extend its lifespan.

The next step is to measure the dimensions of the window opening. You will need to measure 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 allow for seasonal changes in the glass. You can take these measurements to a hardware store 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.