How to Replace Window Pane Window Panes

A damaged window pane could be a source of frustration. It could also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows and benefit from more comfort, higher resale value and reduced utility costs.

You can do it yourself at less than what it would cost to employ an expert. You'll need only the right tools and a few minutes of your time.

Glass

If your single pane windows are old, deteriorating or broken, replacing them with newer glass that is tempered or insulated can improve energy efficiency and reduce noise while preserving the historic integrity of older homes. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can repair windows with ease. You will also require an extra window pane, glazier's suggestions, pliers, and latex glaze putty. If you need to you may use a heating gun to warm the old putty. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to beginning. 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 be used equally. After that, use a wood chisel or putty knife to take the remainder of the old putty from around the frame and sash. Work slowly and carefully making sure not to break the current window sash. This is best done on a ladder, not the ground. Also, ensure that someone on the ground to keep it in place.

Once you have removed all the old putty, it is time to prepare the window frame to accommodate the new pane. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction, subtract 1/8 inch each from the measurements of width and height. These measurements can be taken to a hardware or home center store to have an item cut from stock glass to the right size. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself if you have the appropriate tools.

After putting in the new glass After installing the glass, apply some caulking around the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then install a glazier's point on each side of the frame to secure the pane into 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 loose.

Before applying the putty on the surface, knead thoroughly until it is smooth and free from lumps. Then, roll it into pencil-size 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 facets are small triangular pieces which help to secure glass into frames for windows without scratching or damaging the fragile surface. It's easy to understand how to use this hidden tool, replace Window Pane and you'll save money on the expense of a professional installation.

After taking off the old putty, glazier points, and any other residue, clean the frame thoroughly with an utility knife. Lightly sand the wood into the rabbet grooves to smooth rough areas. If you sand wood, protect it with painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Note down the exact dimensions of the frame. Take these measurements to a hardware store or home center and have the new pane cut slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a snug fit and will allow room for expansion and contraction.

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

Once the glazing compound has dried it's time to put in the new window sash. First, coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will prevent the new putty from sucking in the moisture and drying out and cracking over time. Apply this coat with a brush or the tip of your putty knife, then use the chisel, or the back end of the knife to gently hammer in the new sash and glazier's point into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball hit or a rock thrown by error, or a tree falling can result in a cracked or cracked window. The majority of windows can be replaced by putting in a new piece. The glass is held into position by a small metal clip, referred to as a glazier's point and putty. This compound is also called glazing compound. Before you install a new pane, first get rid of the old one and clean up the area using a rag and the pull-type paint scraper or a 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 plan to reinstall the original sash, remove the molding pieces that secure the old pane. Then, sand the sash to make sure it's flat and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is re-installed and sanded, apply a fresh caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure that it will not leak or change color as time passes.

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, try placing an instrument like a heat gun over them to soften them first. If you're using a heating gun, be cautious not to damage the railings or sash by holding the tool too close.

Once the old glazing 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 about 1/2 inch thick. Press it into the rabbets where the glass will be put. It is crucial that the glass is positioned against the putty on each side If you have to do so, gently tap the glass 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. Otherwise, you'll need to apply putty on the crack to create an impervious seal to keep water out. After the putty has dried, wipe the oily film off the glass and let it dry completely before you paint. If you paint before the putty is completely dry, it won't create a solid seal and could leak or discolor over time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a broken pane of glass. However, replacing a single glass pane doesn't need to cost a fortune If you can do it yourself. In fact even windows with double panes can be replaced for only a fraction of the cost of an expert.

If you are working on a large-sized window, make sure that it is securely attached to the frame. By using the correct tools and techniques, you can complete this task easily and quick.

When you're ready to start taking off the old window by removing the glazing points of metal that are attached to it. These are tiny triangles of metal which act as "nails" to hold the window replacement within the frame. They are submerged beneath a glaze putty or bead which hardens into solid wedge which holds the wood frame securely in place and hides the points.

After you have the old pane taken away clean the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape away any old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves, where the glazing points used to be. Sand them down to bare wooden surfaces so you can paint the frames the same color. After sanding the wood you can apply a layer flax oil. This will help to extend its life.

The next step is to determine the size of the window opening. It is necessary to measure the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the entire opening, as well as the thickness. To determine the exact size of the new pane, subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements. 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 have 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.