How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window can be a source of frustration. It could also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated replacement windows to reap benefits like improved comfort, increased the value of resales and lower 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

replace window pane your single-paned windows with tempered insulate glass to improve the efficiency of your energy, reduce noise, and maintain the original character of your older home. The procedure of replacing the window pane is easy and can be accomplished by anyone with basic hand tools. In addition to a replacement glass for windows pane, the following items are needed such as latex glazing putty; pliers, glazier's points and an electric heater to warm the old putty, if needed. Wear safety glasses and gloves prior to starting. Working with broken glass can cause serious injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. It is best to use pliers however, a flathead may work equally. Then, use a wooden chisel, or putty knife, to remove the remaining old putty from the frame and sash. Be careful and slow making sure not to damage the old window sash. It is best to do this on a stable ladder instead of the ground and have someone standing below the sash to help hold it in place.

Make sure that the window frame is ready to receive the new pane when you have removed the old glue. Take measurements of the width and height of the sash opening by subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). Take these measurements to the nearest hardware store or home center, and have a piece of stock glass cut to size. You can also cut the glass by yourself if you possess the appropriate tools.

After installing the new glass Apply caulking to the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then install a glazier's point on the frame's opposite side to secure the pane in place. The points should not be so tight as to cause friction between the frame and sash, but they also shouldn't be loose.

Before applying the putty on the surface, gently knead it until it is smooth and free of lumps. Then you can roll it into pencil-sized strips. Place the first strip to the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to the other so that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular pieces which help to secure glass into a window frame without scratching or damaging the fragile surface. Learning how to use these tiny pieces of help is simple and can save you money on a professional installation or the cost of new glass.

After taking off the old putty, glazier points, and any other residue Clean the frame thoroughly with an utility knife. Lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves, if necessary, to smooth out rough areas. If you decide to sand wood, cover it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

Take the dimensions of the frame and record precise measurements. Take these measurements to an hardware store or home center and request that the new pane cut slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a tight fit and will allow room for expansion and contraction.

Place the new window in the frame and push it into place firmly with your hand. Then use the point of your chisel or back of the putty knife to tap in the glazier's points, as shown in Figure 11. The glazier's points should sit in line with the top edge of your pane and the shoulders should be just beneath that lip.

Apply a thin layer of glazing compound over the edges of the new glass and in the rabbet grooves to seal and protect them. Let it dry completely and cure.

After the glazing compound dries and the glazing compound is dry, you can 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 this coat with a brush or the tip of your putty knife, and then employ the chisel or back end of the knife to gently hammer the new sash and glazier's points into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown at you, an errant rock or falling branch could cause a window pane to crack or break. Most windows can be replaced by installing a new piece. The glass is held in place by a small metal clip called a glazier's point and putty, often called glazing compound. Before installing a new pane, first get rid of the old one and clean the area using an abrasive and an abrasive scraper that is a pull type or the wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while working. You'll require a heat gun when the window is fixed to the frame.

If you're planning to install the original sash in the future, take care to remove any pieces of molding that are used to secure the old pane. Sand the sash until it's 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 get soiled or discolor 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 an instrument like a heat gun to soften them up first. When using a heat tool, make sure to avoid damaging the sash's railings and sash.

Once the old glazing points and putty have been removed make a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope with glazing compound between your fingers and make it around 1/2 inch thick. Then, push it into the rabbets where the glass will rest. It is essential that the glass sits on the putty in all places on both sides If you have to, lightly tap the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can use the silicone caulk or glass glue made from solvents to fill in the crack before pressing it in the sash. If not, you'll have to putty over the crack to form a tight seal and keep water out. Once the putty is dry clean the oily film off of the glass and let it dry completely before you paint. If you paint before the putty has completely dry, it won't create an effective seal and could discolor or leak in time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a broken pane of glass. The truth is, replacing a single pane glass doesn't have to be costly even if you do it your own. In fact even windows with double panes can be replaced at a fraction of the cost of a professional.

If you are working with a large glass window, first make sure it is securely attached to the frame. This job can be made relatively simple and quick with the right tools and techniques.

If you're ready to begin, begin by removing the old window by removing the metal glazing points that are connected to it. These are basically small metal triangles that function as "nails" that hold the window in place in the wood frame. They are placed under a glaze putty or bead that sets to form solid wedge that holds the frame in place and hides the points.

After you have the old pane taken away Clean up the frame and wood. Scrape away any old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were. They should be sanded to bare wood to allow you to paint them the same shade as the rest of the frame. After sanding the wood you can apply a layer flax oil. This will help prolong the life of the frame.

Then, take measurements of the dimensions of the window's opening. You will need to measure the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the entire opening as well as the thickness. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure that you have the exact size for the new pane. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. You can take these measurements to a hardware or home improvement store and have the glass cut for you.

Now, it's time to bed the new window pane. To do this, Replace window pane 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.