How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane can be an inconvenience. This could be an opportunity to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones, and reap benefits such as improved comfort, higher resale value and reduced utility bills.

It's a task you can do yourself for less than the cost to replace windows uk of hiring an expert. It requires the right tools and only an hour or two of your time.

Glass

Replace your single-paned windows using tempered or insulate glass to improve energy efficiency, reduce noise, and maintain the original character of your older home. Most homeowners with basic hand tools can repair windows with ease. In addition to a replacement pane, the following items are needed such as 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 beginning. Working with broken glass could cause serious injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. It is recommended to use pliers however, a flathead may be useful as well. Use a wood chisel, or putty knives, to take away any remaining old putty around the frame and the window sash. Be careful to not break the window sash. Be careful and slow. It is a good idea to work on a stable ladder rather than on the ground, and to have someone stand below the sash to help hold it in place.

Make sure the window frame is ready to receive the new pane when you have removed the old glue. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction by subtracting 1/8 inch from the measurements of the width and height. These measurements can be taken to a home center or hardware store to get cut a piece of stock glass to the right size. You can also cut the glass by yourself if you have the right tools.

After installing the glass After installing the glass, apply some caulking around the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then, place a glazier's tip on each side of the frame to secure the pane into the right place. The points shouldn't be tight enough to cause friction between the frame and the sash However, they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty on the surface, gently knead it until it becomes soft and free from lumps. Cut it into pencil-sized pieces. Place the first strip to the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to the other to ensure it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's facets are small triangular pieces that help secure glass into frames for windows without scratching or damaging the delicate surface. It's easy to understand how to use this nefarious tool and you can save money on the expense of a professional installation.

Once the old putty and glazier's points are removed Clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife to get rid of any remaining traces. If needed it is necessary to lightly sand the wood along the grooves of the rabbet to smooth rough areas. If you decide to sand wood, protect it with painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

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

Place the new pane in the frame and push it in using your hands. Then use the point of your chisel or back end of the putty knife to tap in the glazier's facets, as shown in Figure 11. The glazier's points should sit flush against the top edge of your pane, and the raised shoulders should be just beneath that lip.

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 this to dry and cure fully.

Once the glazing compound has dried and the glazing compound is dry, you can install the new window sash. First, you need to coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will prevent the newly-created putty drying out or cracking when it absorbs moisture. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or the tip of the putty blade. Then use the chisel that is on the back of the tool or the back of the putty handle to gently hammer the new sash or glazier's point into rabbet grooves. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches around the perimeter of 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, sash windows can be replaced by simply putting a new piece in the right 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 known as glazing compound. Before installing a new pane, first take out the old one and clean the area using an abrasive and a pull-type paint scraper or a wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while working. You'll require a heat gun in the event that the window is glued to the frame.

If you're planning to replace your original sash, you must remove the molding that holds the old pane. Then you can sand the sash down to make sure it's flat and ready to be re-caulked. After the sash has been reinstalled then, you can apply a silicone caulk to the glass. This will ensure that it won't be leaking or fade over time.

Take out the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash where the glass is. If they're hard to chisel, use the hand tool, such as a heatgun over them to soften first. When using a heating tool, be careful to not scratch the sash's railings and sash.

Prepare the bed for your new pane by removing the old glaze points and putty. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, and form it to be about 1/2-inch thick. Then, push it into the rabbets in which the glass will be. It is essential that the glass rests against the putty in all places on each side, so if you need to tap it, gently press the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane has damaged, you can use the silicone caulk or glass glue based on solvents to fill in the crack prior to pressing it in the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you will require putty to keep water from getting in. After the putty has dried, wipe the oily film off of the glass and allow it to dry completely before you paint. Paint after the putty has dried completely. It won't form a good seal and could discolor or leak over time.

Paint

If you've experienced a broken window pane, you may be concerned about the expense of a new one. It's true that replacing a single pane of glass doesn't need to be costly even if you do it your own. In fact even windows with double panes can be replaced for a fraction of the cost of a professional.

First, if you are working on a large window, make sure it is securely fixed to the frame. This can be done relatively easy and fast with the appropriate tools and techniques.

When you are ready to start, sash remove the old window pane. Take out the metal glazing points attached to it. These are small metal triangles which act as "nails", holding the window in place. They are buried beneath a bead or glazing glue that sets to form an unbreakable wedge which holds the wood frame firmly in position and hides the points.

After taking off the old pane clean the frame and wood. Scrape off any old paint, and sand the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were placed. Sand them down to bare wooden surfaces, allowing you to paint the frames with the same shade. After sanding the wood, apply a layer of flax oil. This will help to prolong the life of the frame.

The next step is to determine the width of the window's opening. You will need to take horizontal and vertical measurements of the entire opening, and also the thickness of the old pane. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure that you have the exact size for the new pane. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass during seasons of changes. Take these dimensions to your local 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.