How to replace Window Pane Window Panes

A cracked window pane can cause a lot of trouble. This can be an opportunity to upgrade to energy-efficient windows or insulated ones to enjoy advantages like improved comfort, increased resale value and reduced utility costs.

It's a task you can do yourself for only a fraction of the cost of hiring an expert. You'll need only the appropriate tools and a few minutes of your time.

Glass

Replace your old single-paned windows with tempered or insulation glass to improve the efficiency of your energy, reduce noise, and preserve the original character of your old home. The replacement window glass of the window pane is easy and can be completed by homeowners with basic hand tools. You will also need an extra 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. Before starting, put on gloves and safety glasses as working with broken glass could cause injuries.

Take away any broken glass pieces that remain. This can be done with the help of pliers though using a flathead screwdriver can also be effective in the pinch. Use a wood chisel, or putty knives to remove any old putty that remains around the frame and replace Window pane window sash. Take your time and work slowly, taking care not to break the existing window sash. It is best to do this on a stable ladder rather than the ground and have someone standing below the sash to help hold it steady.

After you have removed all of the old putty, you can prepare the window frame to accommodate the new pane. Take measurements of the width and height of the opening for the sash by subtracting 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 have a piece of stock glass cut to size. You can cut the glass yourself if you possess the right tools.

After installing the new glass After installing the glass, apply 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 place. The points shouldn't be too tight as to cause friction between the frame and sash however they should not be too loose.

Before putting the putty on, work it in a gentle manner until it's soft and free of lumps. Then make it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip in the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to another to ensure it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular pieces that allow glass to be secured into the frame of a window without scratching or damaging the fragile surface. Knowing how to use these hidden little helpers is easy and can save you money on a professional installation or the cost of new glass.

After the old putty and glazier's points are removed, thoroughly clean the frame using a utility knife to remove any remaining residue. Lightly sand the frame in the rabbet grooves, if necessary, to smooth rough areas. If you decide to sand wood, protect it with painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

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

Place the new window in the frame and press it into the frame by using your hands. Utilize the point of the chisel, or the edge of the putty blade to tap in the glazier's points, as illustrated in Figure 11. When you're done, they should be level with the top edge of the pane. the shoulders that are raised of the points should be just below the rabbet's lip. groove.

Apply a thin layer glazing compound to the rabbet grooves and the edges of the glass. This will seal and protect the edges. Allow it to dry completely and cure.

When the glazing compound is dry it's time to put in the new window sash. The first step is to coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will prevent the newly-created putty drying out or cracking when it absorbs moisture. Apply the coat using a brush or the edge of your putty knife, then employ the chisel or back end of the knife to gently press the new sash and glazier's point into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process every 10 inches around the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A hurled baseball, an errant rock or falling branch could cause a window pane to crack or break. Fortunately, the majority of windows can be replaced by simply placing a new piece of glass in its place. The glass is held in place by tiny metal clips known as a glazier's point and putty, also called glazing compound. Before installing a new pane, first remove the old one and clean up the area with the help of a rag, a pull-type paint scraper or an abrasive wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses when you work. If the window is glued to the frame, you'll need make use of a heat gun to soften the adhesive prior to cutting it loose.

If you plan to reinstall the original sash, remove the molding pieces that are used to secure the old pane. Then, sand the sash to ensure it's level and ready for new caulk. After the sash has been re-installed and sanded, apply a fresh silicone caulk to the glass to ensure that it will not leak or change color 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 chisel, use a hand tool like a heat gun over them to soften first. If you're using a heating gun, be cautious not to scratch the railings or sash by using the tool too closely.

Make a bed for your new pane by removing the old glaze points and putty. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your hands, forming it to be around 1/2-inch thick. Place it into the rabbets where the glass will be put. It's important that the glass is positioned against the putty in all places on each side If you have to do so, gently tap the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack then you can seal it with a solvent-based glass glue or silicone caulk prior to pressing it into the sash. In other cases, you'll need to apply putty over the crack to form an airtight seal and keep water out. After the putty is dry and the film is oily, wipe it off the glass using a rag and allow it to dry completely prior to painting. If you paint before the putty is fully dry, it won't form a solid seal and could leak or discolor over time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a broken pane of glass. But the truth is that replacing one glass pane does not need to cost a fortune if you do it yourself. In fact, even a double-pane window can be replaced at a fraction of the cost of an expert.

First, if you're working on a large window, make sure it is securely attached to the frame. By using the correct tools and replace Window pane techniques to accomplish this task fairly easily and fast.

Once you're ready to begin with the removal of the old window by removing the metal glazing points that are attached to it. These are basically small metal triangles that act as "nails" which hold the window in place within the frame of wood. They are placed beneath a layer of glazing putty, which is then cured to form a solid, formed wedge that holds the window firmly in place and hides the points.

After removal of the old pane clean the frame and wood. Scrape off any old paint, and sand the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were. These should be sanded down to the point of being bare, to allow you to paint them the same shade as the rest of the frame. After sanding, apply a coat of flax oil on the bare wood to extend the life of the frame.

The next step is to measure the dimensions of the window's opening. You'll 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 you have the exact size for the new pane. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. Bring these measurements to your local hardware or home improvement store, and they will 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.