How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane can be an inconvenience. It can also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows and enjoy benefits such as more comfort, Replace Window Pane higher potential for resales, and less costs.

This is a project you could take on yourself for only a fraction of the cost of hiring a professional. You'll need only the appropriate tools and a few minutes of your time.

Glass

If your single pane windows are old broken, deteriorating or damaged replacing them with more modern insulated or tempered glass can improve energy efficiency and reduce noise while maintaining the original character of older homes. The procedure of replacing replacement windows is easy and can be completed by anyone with basic hand tools. In addition to a new pane, the following items are required: latex glazing putty; pliers, glazier's points and the use of a heat gun to warm the old putty, if necessary. Wear safety glasses and gloves prior to starting. Working with broken glass could result in 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. After that, use a wood chisel or putty knife remove the remaining old putty around the frame and sash. Take your time and work slowly making sure not to damage the old window sash. This is best done on a ladder, not on the ground. Also, ensure that someone lower to hold it steady.

Once you've removed all the old putty, prepare the window frame for the new pane. Take measurements of the width and height of the opening for the sash and subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). Bring these measurements to a hardware store or home center, and get a piece of stock glass cut to size. Alternatively, Replace Window Pane you can cut the glass yourself, if you have the appropriate tools.

After putting the new pane in place, run a small bead of caulking around the edges to seal it against weather. Then, place a glazier's tip on the frame's opposite side to hold the pane in its place. The points should not be too tight that they create friction between the frame and the sash However, they should not be loose.

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

Glazier's Points

The glazier's facets are tiny triangular pieces of steel which help to secure glass 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 be able to save money on the cost of an expert installation.

After taking off the old putty, glazier points as well as any remaining leftovers, clean the frame thoroughly with an utility knife. Lightly sand the frame in the rabbet grooves, if necessary, to smooth out rough areas. If you decide to sand the wood, ensure you protect it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

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

Insert the new pane into the frame and press it down using your hands. Use the point of the chisel or the back of the putty knife to smudge the glazier's points as shown in Figure 11. The glazier's points should be in line with the top edge of the pane and the shoulders should be just below the lip.

Apply a thin layer 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.

After the glazing compound dries, you're ready to install the new window sash. First, saturate the wood with a heavy coat of linseed oil. This will prevent the newly-created putty from drying out or cracking when it absorbs moisture. Apply the coat using a brush or the edge of your putty knife, and then use the chisel, or the back end of the knife to gently hammer in the new sash and glazier's point into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown or a rock thrown by error, or a tree falling could result in a broken or cracked window. Fortunately, windows can be easily replaced by simply putting a brand new piece in the right place. The glass is held in position by a small metal clip, also known as a glazier’s point and putty. This compound is also known as glazing compound. Before installing a new pane, first get rid of the old one and clean up the area with the help of a rag, the pull-type paint scraper or the wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves while working. If the window is attached to the frame, you'll need to use a heat gun to soften the adhesive before cutting it loose.

If you are planning to replace window Pane the original sash, remove any molding pieces that hold the old pane in place. Sand the sash until it is flat and ready to receive new caulk. After the sash has been reinstalled then, you can apply a silicone caulk over the glass. This will ensure that it won't be leaking or fade over time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets, or the grooves in the sash where the glass is. If they are hard to cut, place an instrument such as a heatgun over them for a few minutes to soften them. If you're using a heating gun, make sure not to scratch the railings of the sash or the sash itself by placing the tool too closely.

Create the bed for your new pane after you have removed the old glaze and putty. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, forming it to be around 1/2-inch thick. Then, push it into the rabbets in which the glass will sit. It's important that the glass rests against the putty in all places on both sides, so if you need to tap it, gently press the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can use a silicone caulk or a glass glue that is based on solvents to fill in the crack before pressing it in the sash. If not, you'll have to apply putty on the crack to create a tight seal and keep water out. After the putty is dry and the film is oily, wipe it off the glass using the help of a rag. Allow it to dry completely before painting. Paint after the putty has dried completely. It won't make a strong seal and could be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

If you've experienced a broken window pane, you may be worried about the expense of replacing it. But the truth is that replacing a single glass pane doesn't require a huge amount of money when you do it yourself. In fact, even a double glazing replacement windows-pane window can be replaced at less than the cost of an expert.

First, if you're working on a large window, make sure that it is securely attached to the frame. This can be done relatively easy and fast with the right tools and techniques.

When you're ready to start, begin by removing the old window by removing the glazing points made of metal that are connected to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles that function as "nails" which hold the window in place within the frame of wood. They are placed beneath a layer of glazing putty that hardens into a solid, formed wedge that secures the window in place and hides the edges.

After removal of the old pane clean the frame and wood. Scrape away any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were. These should be sanded to the point of being bare, so that you can paint them the same color as the rest of the frame. After sanding the wood you can apply a layer flax oil. This will help to extend its life.

Next, measure the size of the window opening. It is necessary to take horizontal and vertical measurements of the entire opening, as well as the thickness of the old pane. 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. Take these dimensions to the hardware or home improvement store and ask them to cut you cut the glass 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.