How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane could cause a lot of trouble. It could be a chance to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones to enjoy advantages like improved comfort, increased resale value and lower utility costs.

This is a project you could take on yourself for a fraction of the cost of hiring a professional. It requires the right equipment and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

Replace your single-paned windows with tempered or insulate glass to improve the efficiency of your energy, reduce noise, and Glass window replacement preserve the historic integrity of your home's older. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can replace the window pane. You will also require an additional window pane, glazier's tips pliers, and latex glaze putty. If necessary you can make use of a heat gun to warm the old putty. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to starting. Working with broken glass could result in serious injuries.

Remove any broken glass Window Replacement pieces that remain. This can be done with a pair of pliers, though using flathead screwdrivers can work in a pinch. Then, use a wooden chisel, or putty knife, to remove the remaining old putty from the frame and the sash. Be careful not to break the window sash. Work slowly and carefully. This is best done on a ladder, not on the ground. Also, ensure that someone on the ground to hold it steady.

Once you've removed all the old putty, prepare the window frame to accommodate the new pane. Measure the width and height of the sash opening and subtract 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 find a piece glass cut to size. You can cut the glass yourself if you possess the right tools.

After putting the new pane in place, run a small bead of caulking around the edge to ensure it is weatherproof. Then, you can install a glazier's pointing on each side of the frame to secure the pane in place. The points shouldn't 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, work it in a gentle manner until it is soft 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 the next to ensure it's even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular metal pieces that help secure the glass to the frame without causing damage to the delicate surface. It's easy to learn how to use this secret tool, and you'll be able to save money on the expense of an installation by a professional.

After getting rid of the old putty glazier points and any leftovers Clean the frame thoroughly with an utility knife. Lightly sand the frame in the rabbet grooves, if necessary, to smooth rough areas. If you decide to sand the wood, ensure you protect it with painter's tack to avoid accidental damage.

Take the dimensions of the frame and note down precise measurements. Take these measurements to a hardware store or a home center and request that the new pane cut slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure that the pane fits snugly and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and push firmly using your hands. Use the point of the chisel, or the back of the putty knife to smudge the glazier's points, as illustrated in Figure 11. When you're done taping, they should be in line 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 edges of the glass that has been made and into the rabbet grooves, to seal and protect them. Allow it to dry completely and cure.

Once the glazing compound has dried it's time to put in the new window sash. First, coat the wood with a thick coat of linseed oil. This will stop the new putty from drying out or cracking as it absorbs moisture. Use a brush to apply this coat, or even 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 hammer the new sash or glazier's point into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball hit or a rock thrown in error, or a tree falling can cause a broken or cracked window pane. Luckily, most windows can be easily replaced by simply placing a new piece of glass in its the proper place. The glass is held into position by a small metal clip, referred to as a glazier’s point and putty. This compound is also referred to as glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area using the rag, a scraper that is a pull type or a wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while doing this work. If the window is attached to the frame, you'll need employ a heat gun in order to soften the adhesive prior to taking it off.

If you are planning to replace your original sash, you must remove the molding that holds the old pane. Then you can sand the sash down to ensure it's smooth and ready to be re-caulked. After the sash has been re-installed then, apply a new silicone caulk to the glass to ensure it doesn't swell or fade as time passes.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets, or the grooves in the sash that the glass sits. If they're difficult to cut out, try placing a hand tool like a heat gun over them to soften them first. When using a heated tool, make sure to avoid damaging the sash's railings and sash.

Make a bed for your new pane after you have removed the old putty and glazing points. Roll a rope with 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 must be positioned against the putty on both sides. If you need to gently tap your glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can use a silicone caulk or a glass glue made from solvents to cover the crack prior to pressing it in the sash. Otherwise, you'll need 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 with a rag and allow it to dry completely before painting. If you paint before the putty is completely dry, it won't form an effective seal and could be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

If you've had a broken window pane, you may be concerned about the expense of a new one. However, replacing one glass pane does not have to break the bank If you can do it yourself. In fact windows with double panes can be replaced for less than the cost of a professional.

First, if you're working on a large window, ensure that it is securely fastened to the frame. By using the correct tools and techniques to make this task relatively easy and fast.

When you're ready to start with the removal of the old window pane by prying out the metal glazing points that are connected to it. These are small metal triangles that act as "nails", holding the window within the frame. They are buried beneath a bead or glazing putty that hardens to solid wedge that holds the frame securely in place and conceals the edges.

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

Then, take measurements of the dimensions of the window's 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 that you have the exact size for the new pane. This will allow for seasonal changes in the replacement glass for windows. Take these measurements to a 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.