How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window is an inconvenience. It could also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows, and enjoy benefits such as greater comfort, a higher potential for resales, and less costs.

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

Glass

If your single-pane windows are old, deteriorating or broken replacing them with more modern glass that is tempered or insulated can increase energy efficiency and reduce noise while also preserving the historic integrity of older homes. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can Replace Window Pane a window pane. You'll also require an additional window pane, glazier's tips pliers, and latex glaze putty. If you need to you may use a heatgun to warm the old putty. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior Replace Window Pane to beginning. Working with broken glass can cause serious injuries.

Remove any broken glass pieces remaining. This can be done with the help of pliers but a flathead screwdriver can also be used in a pinch. Use a wood chisel, or putty knife to get rid of any old putty that remains around the frame and the window sash. Be careful and slow making sure not to break the current window sash. It is recommended to work on a stable ladder instead of the ground and to place someone on the sash in order to help hold it steady.

Once you have removed all the old putty, you can prepare the window frame for the new pane. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction, subtract 1/8 inch each from the measurements of width and height. Take these measurements to the nearest hardware store or home center and have a piece of stock glass cut to size. Alternatively, you can cut the glass yourself if you have the appropriate tools.

After installing the new pane, run a small bead of caulking around the edges to ensure it is weatherproof. Install a glazier's pointing on both sides of the frame. This will secure the pane. The points should not be so tight that they cause friction between the frame and the sash, but they should also not be loose.

Before applying the putty to the surface, knead thoroughly until it is smooth and free from lumps. Then make it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be placed in the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to the other to ensure it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier’s points are small triangular pieces of metal that allow glass to be secured to the frame without causing damage to the delicate surface. Understanding how to use these tiny helpers is simple and could save you money on a professional installation or the cost of replacement windows uk of purchasing new glass.

After getting rid of the old putty glazier points and any leftovers clean the frame thoroughly with an utility knife. Lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves to smooth rough areas. If you sand wood protect it with painter’s tape to prevent accidental damage.

Take measurements of the empty frame and note down precise measurements. These measurements can be taken to a home center or hardware 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 press it down with your hands. Then, use the tip of your chisel or back of the putty knife to make a tap on the glazier's points as shown in Figure 11. When you're done taping, they should be in line with the top edge of the pane and the shoulders that are raised of the points should be just below the lip of the rabbet groove.

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

Once the glazing compound has dried, you're ready to install the new window sash. First, saturate the wood with a heavy coat of Linseed oil. This will prevent the new putty drying out or cracking due to the moisture it absorbs. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or the point of the putty blade. Then use the chisel on the back of the putty tool or the back of the handle to gently smash the new sash or glazier's tip into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball hit or a rock thrown by error, or a fallen tree can result in a cracked or cracked window pane. Luckily, most windows can be easily replaced by simply putting a brand new piece in the proper place. The glass is held into position by a small metal clip, called a glazier’s point and putty. This compound is also referred to as glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area using a rag, a pull-type scraper or wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while working. You'll need a heat gun when the window is fixed into the frame.

If you're planning to install the original sash, gently remove the molding pieces that hold the old pane in place. Sand the sash until it is flat and ready to receive new caulk. Once the sash is reinstalled, you can apply a silicone caulk over the glass. This will ensure that it won't be leaking or fade over time.

Remove the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves in the sash, where the glass is located. If they're difficult to cut, place a hand tool such as a heating gun over them for a few minutes to soften them. When using a heated tool, be careful to avoid damaging the sash's railings and sash.

Once the old points of glazing and putty have been removed make a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your fingers, and make it about 1/2 inch thick. Then, press it into the rabbets in which the glass will be. The glass must rest against the putty on both sides. If necessary you want to tap your glass lightly into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can cover it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk prior to pressing it into the sash. If not, you'll have to apply putty over the crack to create an impervious seal to keep water out. Once the putty is dry remove the oily film off the glass and let it dry completely before you paint. Paint before the putty has completely dried. It will not make a strong seal and may leak or discolor with time.

Paint

If you've suffered a break in a window pane, you might be concerned about the expense of a new one. But the truth is that replacing one glass pane does not need to cost a fortune if you do it yourself. Even double-paned windows can be replaced for a fraction of the price it costs for a professional.

If you are working on a large-sized window, make sure it is securely fixed to the frame. By using the correct tools and Replace Window Pane techniques you can make this task relatively easy and speedy.

When you are ready to start with the removal of the window pane. Pry out the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles that act as "nails" that keep the window in in the wood frame. They are submerged beneath a bead or glazing putty that hardens to an unbreakable wedge that holds the frame firmly in position and hides the sharp edges.

After removal of the old pane clean the frame and the wood. Scrape off any old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves that the glazing points were. These should be sanded to the point of being bare, to allow you to paint them the same color as the rest the frame. After sanding the wood you can apply a layer flax oil. This will help to prolong the life of the frame.

The next step is to determine the width 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 also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass during seasonal change. 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.