How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane could be a nuisance. It can also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows, and benefit from greater comfort, a higher resale value and reduced utility costs.

You can do it yourself for a a fraction of what it would cost to employ an expert. You'll need only the proper tools and a few minutes of your time.

Glass

replace window pane your single-paned windows with tempered insulation glass to improve energy efficiency, cut down on noise, and protect the historic integrity of your older home. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can replace a window pane. Alongside a replacement pane, the following items are needed for the replacement process: latex glazing putty Glazier's points; pliers and the use of a heat gun to warm the old putty if required. Wear safety glasses and replace window Pane 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 however a flathead could be useful as well. Use a wood chisel, or putty knife to get rid of any old putty that remains around the frame and window sash. Be careful not to damage the window sash. Take your time and work slowly. This should be done on a ladder, not on the ground. Also, you should have someone below the sash ensure it is held steady.

Make sure that the window frame is ready to receive the new pane after you have removed the old putty. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction by subtracting 1/8 inch from the measurements of the width and height. These measurements can be sent to an hardware or home centers store to have an item cut from stock glass to the right size. You can cut the glass yourself if you possess the appropriate tools.

After installing the new pane After installing the new pane, apply a small amount of caulking along the edge to seal it against weather. Then install a glazier's point on each side of the frame to secure the pane in the right place. The points shouldn't be too tight as to cause friction between the frame and sash but they should not be too loose.

Before applying the putty on the surface, you must knead it thoroughly until it is smooth and free of lumps. Then, roll it into pencil-size strips. Apply the first strip to the corner of the frame, working from one corner to another to ensure it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular pieces of metal which help to secure the glass into the window frame without causing any damage to the fragile surface. It's easy to learn how to use this secret tool and you can save money on the cost of a professional installation.

After the old putty as well as glazier's points are removed and the frame is thoroughly cleaned using a utility knife to remove any remaining traces. If necessary, lightly sand the wood along the grooves of the rabbet to smooth out rough spots. 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. Take these dimensions to a hardware store or a home center and have the new pane cut slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a secure fit and will allow room for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and push firmly using your hands. Then, you can use the point of your chisel or back of the putty knife to tap in the glazier's points, as shown in Figure 11. After you're done, the points should be level with the top edge of the pane and the shoulders that are raised of the points should be just below the lip of the rabbet groove.

Apply a small amount of glazing compound on the edges of the new glass and in the rabbet grooves to seal and protect them. Allow it to dry and cure completely.

Install the new window glass replacement near me sash once the glazing compound has dried. First, saturate the wood with a heavy coat of Linseed oil. This will prevent the new putty from soaking up the moisture and drying out 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 tool or the back of the handle to gently hit the new sash, or glazier's point into rabbet grooves. Repeat this process every 10 inches around the frame's perimeter.

Putty

A baseball thrown, a rock thrown in error or a branch falling could result in a broken or cracked window pane. Fortunately, windows can be repaired by simply putting a new piece in the right place. The glass is held into the position with a tiny metal clip, called a glazier’s point and putty. This compound is also called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area using an abrasive, pull-type scraper or wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while you do this work. You'll need a heat gun if the window is glued into the frame.

If you are planning to replace the original sash in the future, take care to remove the molding pieces that are used to secure the old pane. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is reinstalled, you can apply a silicone caulk on the glass. This will ensure that it doesn't be leaking or fade over time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets. These are the grooves in the sash where the glass is. If they're difficult to work out, you can try holding a hand tool like a heat gun over them to soften them first. When using a heated tool, be sure to not damage the sash's railings and sash.

Make the bed for your new pane after you have removed the old glaze and putty. Roll a rope made of glazing compound between your fingers and make it about 1/2 inch thick. Then, you can press it into the rabbets, where the glass will rest. The glass should rest against the putty on both sides. If necessary you want to tap your glass lightly into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack you can fill it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk before pressing it into the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you will require putty to keep the water out. After the putty is dry, clean the oily film off the glass with the help of a rag. Allow it to completely dry before painting. Paint after the putty has completely dried. It will not create a solid seal and could discolor or leak over time.

Paint

If you've had a broken window pane, you may be worried about the cost of a new one. It's true that replacing a single pane of glass doesn't need to be costly when you do it on your own. In fact even windows with double panes can be replaced for less than the cost of an expert.

If you're working with large glass windows first, ensure that it is securely attached to the frame. This can be done relatively easy and fast with the appropriate tools and techniques.

When you're ready to start taking off the old window by prying out the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. These are tiny metal triangles that function as "nails" that hold the window within the frame. They are buried beneath a layer of glazing putty, which transforms into a solid moulded wedge that holds the window firmly in place and hides the window's 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 in which the glazing points were. Sand them to bare wooden surfaces so you can paint the frames with the same shade. After sanding the wood then apply a layer of flax oil. This will help extend its life.

Next, 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. 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. Take these measurements to the hardware or home improvement store and have a piece 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 replace window Pane air from leaking into the frame and causing fogging.