How to Replace Window Pane Window Panes

A damaged window pane could be a nuisance. This can be an opportunity to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones to enjoy benefits like increased comfort, increased resale value and reduced utility costs.

You can do it yourself for a only a fraction of the cost it would cost to hire an expert. You only need the proper tools and a few minutes of your time.

Glass

Replace your single-paned windows with tempered insulate glass to improve energy efficiency, reduce noise, and preserve the historic integrity of your old home. The replacement of the window pane is simple and can be done by anyone with basic hand tools. You'll also require a replacement upvc window handles window pane, glazier's suggestions, pliers, and latex glazing putty. If you need to you may make use of a heat gun to warm the old putty. Wear safety goggles and gloves before you begin. Working with broken glass can cause serious injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. It is recommended to use pliers however a flathead could be useful equally. Then, use a wood chisel, or putty knife, to remove the rest of the old putty around the frame and sash. Be careful not to break the window sash. Be careful and slow. This should be done on a ladder, not on the ground. Also, you should have someone on the ground to ensure it is held steady.

Prepare the window frame to accept the new pane once you have removed the old glue. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction, subtract 1/8 inch each from the measurements of width and height. Bring these measurements to the nearest hardware store or home center, and get a piece of stock glass cut to size. You can cut the glass yourself if you have the right tools.

After installing the new pane, run a small bead of caulking along the edge to make it weatherproof. Then install a glazier's point on each side of the frame to secure the pane into its place. The points should not be so tight as to cause friction between the sash and the frame, but they also shouldn't be loose.

Before putting the putty on, knead it thoroughly until it is soft and free of lumps. Make it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be placed to the corner of the frame, working from one corner to the next so that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are tiny triangular metal pieces that allow glass to be secured to the frame without causing damage to the delicate surface. Learning how to use these tiny helpers is simple and can save you money on professional installation or the cost of purchasing new glass.

After removing the old putty, glazier points, and any other residue clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife. Lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves if needed to smooth out rough areas. If you sand wood, cover it with painter's tape to protect it from damage caused by accidental sanding.

Take measurements of the empty frame and note down precise measurements. These measurements can be taken to the hardware or home center store, and the new frame will be cut slightly smaller. This will ensure a tight fit and will allow room for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane in the frame and press it down with your hands. Then, you can use the point of your chisel or the back of the putty knife to make a tap on the glazier's facets, as shown in Figure 11. When you're done taping, they should be level with the top edge of the pane and the shoulders of the points should be below the lip of the rabbet groove.

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

Install the new window sash after the glazing compound has dried. First, coat 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 coating using a brush this coat, or replace window Pane even the tip of the blade. Then, use the chisel that is on the back of the putty tool or the back of the putty handle to gently hit 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, a rock thrown in error, or a tree falling can result in a cracked or cracked window. The majority of windows can be repaired easily by installing a new piece. The glass is held in place by tiny metal clips known as the glazier's pointed and putty, also called glazing compound. Before you install a new pane, first take out the old one and clean the area using an abrasive and the pull-type paint scraper or the wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses 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, take off the molding that supports the old pane. Sand the sash until it is flat and ready to receive new caulk. Once the sash is re-installed and sanded, apply a fresh caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure it doesn't swell or fade over time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets, the grooves in the sash where the glass sits. If they're difficult to cut, place a hand tool such as a heating gun over them to soften first. When using a heated tool, make sure to avoid damaging the sash or its railings.

After the old glaze points and putty have been removed prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope made of glazing compound between your fingers and make it around 1/2 inch thick. Then, you can press it into the rabbets where the glass will be. The glass must be positioned against the putty on both sides. If you need to you want to tap your glass lightly into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack then you can seal it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk before pressing it into the sash. In other cases, you'll need to putty over the crack to form an impervious seal to keep water out. After the putty has dried then clean the oily film off the glass with the help of a rag. Allow it to dry completely prior to painting. Paint after the putty has dried completely. It won't create a solid seal and could leak or discolor with time.

Paint

If you've experienced a broken window pane, then you may be worried about the expense of replacing it. But the truth is that replacing one glass pane does not need to cost a fortune when you do it yourself. Even double-paned windows can be replaced for a fraction of the price it would cost a professional.

If you're working with a large glass window first ensure it is securely attached to the frame. By using the correct tools and techniques you can accomplish this task fairly easily and speedy.

If you're ready to begin taking off the old window by removing the glazing points made of metal that are connected to it. These are tiny metal triangles that act as "nails" that hold the window in the frame. They are submerged under a bead of glazing putty, which hardens into a solid, molded wedge which holds the window in place and hides the points.

Once you have the old pane removed clean the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape off any old paint and sand the rabbet grooves in which the glazing points were placed. Sand them down to bare wooden surfaces so you can paint the frames the same color. After sanding the wood, apply a layer of flax oil. This will help extend its life.

The next step is to determine the width of the window's opening. It is necessary 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 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 the hardware or home improvement store and ask them to cut you a piece 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.