How to Replace Window Panes

A cracked window pane is an issue. It can also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows and enjoy benefits such as more comfort, higher resale value and reduced utility bills.

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

Glass

Replace Window pane your old single-paned windows using tempered or insulation glass to improve the efficiency of your energy, reduce noise, and maintain the historic integrity of your home's older. The majority of homeowners with basic hand tools can replace window pane windows with ease. 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 goggles and gloves prior to starting. Working with broken glass can cause serious injuries.

Remove any broken glass pieces that remain. This is best accomplished with a pair of pliers, however, a flathead screwdriver may work in the pinch. Then, use a wood chisel or putty knife to remove the rest of the old putty from around the frame and sash. Be careful not to scratch the window sash. Work slowly and carefully. This should be done on a ladder, not the ground. Also, you should have someone on the ground to ensure it is held steady.

After you've removed all the old putty, it is time to prepare the window frame to fit 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). These measurements can be sent to a home center or hardware store to get an item cut from glass stock to the proper size. You can also cut the glass yourself if you have the tools you need.

After putting in the new pane, run a small bead of caulking around the edge to make it weatherproof. Then, place a glazier's tip on the frame's opposite side to secure the pane in the right place. The points shouldn't be too tight that they cause friction between the frame and sash, but they also shouldn't be too loose.

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

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are tiny triangular pieces of steel that allow glass to be secured into the window frame without causing any damage to the fragile surface. Learning how to use these tiny helpers is simple and could save you money on a professional installation or the cost of new glass.

After the old putty and the glazier's point are gone Clean the frame thoroughly with a utility knife to eliminate any remaining traces. If necessary, lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves to smooth rough spots. If you decide to sand wood, protect it with painter's tape to protect it from damage caused by accidental sanding.

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 snug fit, and allow for expansion and contraction.

Place the new window in the frame and push it into the frame using your hand. Utilize the point of the chisel, or the back of the putty knife to smudge the glazier's points, as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's points should be aligned with the top edge of your pane and the shoulders raised should be just below the lip.

Apply a thin bead of glazing compound on the edges of the new glass and into the rabbet grooves, to seal and protect them. Allow it to dry and cure completely.

Install the new window sash after the glazing compound has dried. The first step is to coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will prevent the newly-created putty from drying out or cracking due to the moisture it absorbs. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or even the tip of the putty blade. Then, use the chisel on the back of the putty tool or the back of the putty handle to gently smash the new sash or glazier's point into rabbet grooves. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball that is thrown, an errant rock or falling branch could cause a window to crack or break. The majority of windows can be replaced easily by putting in a new piece. The glass is held in place with a small metal clip called a glazier's point, and putty, also called glazing compound. Before you install a new pane, replace Window pane first remove the old one and clean up the area using a rag and a pull-type paint scraper or a wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves while working. You'll need a heating gun if the window is glued into the frame.

If you plan to reinstall the original sash, gently remove any pieces of molding that are used to secure the old pane. Then sand the sash to ensure it's level and ready to be re-caulked. Once the sash is re-installed and sanded, apply a fresh silicone caulk to the glass to ensure that it won't leak or discolor in time.

Remove the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves in the sash, which is where the glass is located. If they're difficult to cut, place the hand tool, like a heat gun over them to soften first. When using a heated tool, make sure to avoid damaging the sash's railings and sash.

Make the bed for your new pane after you have removed the old glaze and putty. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, shaping it to be about 1/2-inch thick. Then, push it into the rabbets where the glass will rest. It is essential that the glass is positioned against the putty on both sides, so if you need to do so, gently tap the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked then you can seal it with a solvent-based glass glue or silicone caulk before pressing it into the sash. If not, you'll have to putty over the crack to create a tight seal and keep water out. Once the putty is dry remove the oily film from the glass and allow it to dry completely before painting. Paint after the putty has dried completely. It won't create a solid seal and could discolor or leak over time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a damaged piece of glass. The truth is, replacing a single pane of 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 only a fraction of the cost of an expert.

First, if you are working on a large-sized window, replace Window pane make sure that it is securely fastened to the frame. Using the proper tools and techniques, you can make this task relatively easy and quick.

When you are ready to begin, remove the old window pane. Remove the metal glazing points that are attached to it. These are basically small metal triangles which function as "nails" that keep the window in in the wood frame. They are submerged beneath a layer of glazing putty that is then cured to form a solid, molded wedge that holds the window firmly in place and conceals the window replacement panes's points.

After removal of the old pane clean the frame and wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used and sand down the rabbet grooves that the glazing points were placed. Sand them down to bare wooden surfaces, allowing you to paint the frames with the same shade. After the sanding process, apply a coat of flax oil on the bare wood to extend the life of the frame.

Then, you need to measure the size of the window opening. You will need to measure the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the entire opening, as well as the thickness. To determine the exact dimensions 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 store and have 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.