How to Replace Window Panes

A cracked window pane is a nuisance. It could also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows to enjoy benefits such as more comfort, higher resale value and reduced utility costs.

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

Glass

If your single pane windows are old broken, deteriorating or damaged replacing them with more modern 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 replace Window pane the window pane. In addition to a replacement pane, the following items are needed such as latex glazing putty; glazier's points; pliers; and a heat gun for warming the old putty, if needed. Before beginning, wear protective gloves and goggles since working with broken glass may cause injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. This can be done with pliers, however, flathead screwdrivers can work in a pinch. Then, use a wooden chisel or putty knife to take the remainder of the old putty around the frame and sash. Be careful and slow and be careful not to damage the old window sash. It is best to work on a stable ladder instead of the ground, and to have someone stand below the sash to help hold it steady.

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

After installing the glass Apply some caulking to the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Install a glazier’s point on both sides of the frame. This will ensure the pane. The points should not be tight enough to cause friction between the frame and the sash However, they should not be loose.

Before putting the putty on, work it in a gentle manner until it is smooth and free of lumps. Then, roll it into pencil-size strips. The first strip should be glued to the corner of the frame. Work from one corner to the next to ensure it's even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's facets are small triangular pieces which help to secure glass into the frame of a window replacement cost without scratching or damaging the delicate surface. Learning how to use these hidden little helpers is easy and could save you money on a professional installation or the cost of buying new glass.

After getting rid of the old putty glazier points, and any other leftovers clean the frame thoroughly using an utility knife. If necessary it is necessary to lightly sand the wood along grooves of the rabbet to smooth rough spots. If you do sand the wood, be sure to protect it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

Note down the exact dimensions of the frame. These measurements can be brought 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 perfectly and allows for expansion and contraction.

Insert the new pane into the frame and push it in using your hands. Then, use the tip of your chisel or the back of the putty knife to pierce the glazier's points as illustrated in Figure 11. When you're done taping, they should be in line with the top edge of the pane, and the raised shoulders of the points should be below the rabbet's rim groove.

Apply a thin layer of glazing compound over the edges of the new glass and into the rabbet grooves, to seal and protect them. Allow it to dry and cure fully.

Once the glazing compound has dried it's time to put in the new window sash. First, coat the wood with a thick coat of Linseed oil. This will stop the new putty from soaking up moisture and drying out and cracking with time. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or the tip of the putty blade. Then, use the chisel on the back of the 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 in intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball hit, a rock thrown in error or a branch falling can cause a broken or cracked window pane. Luckily, most windows can be easily replaced by simply placing a new piece of glass in its place. The glass is held in the position with a tiny metal clip, called a glazier's point and putty. This compound is also known as glazing compound. Before installing a replacement pane, first take out the old one and clean up the area using an abrasive and an abrasive scraper that is a pull type or an abrasive wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves while working. If the window is secured to the frame, you'll need to make use of a heat gun to soften the adhesive prior to taking it off.

If you're planning to install the original sash, remove any molding pieces that are used to secure the old pane. Then sand the sash to ensure it's smooth and ready for a new caulk. Once the sash is re-installed, apply a new silicone caulk to the glass to ensure it will not leak or change color as time passes.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets, or the grooves in the sash, where the glass sits. If they're hard to chisel out, you can try holding the hand tool, such as a heat gun over them to soften them before you do. If you're using a heated gun, be cautious not to scratch the sash or its railings by using the tool too close.

Create a bed for your new pane by removing the old glaze and putty. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your hands, forming it into a 1/2-inch thick. Then, push it into the rabbets, where the glass will rest. The glass must rest against the putty on both sides. If necessary gently tap your glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack, you can cover it with a solvent-based glass glue or silicone caulk prior to pressing it into the sash. If not, you'll have to putty over the crack to form an airtight seal and keep water out. When the putty dries, clean the oily film off the glass using the help of a rag. Allow it to dry completely before painting. Paint after the putty has dried completely. It will not form a good seal and may discolor or leak over time.

Paint

If you've had a broken window pane, then you may be worried about the expense of a new one. However, replacing one glass pane does not have to break the bank If you can do it yourself. Even a double-paned window handle replacement can be replaced for a fraction of what it would cost an expert.

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

When you are ready to begin taking down the old window pane. Remove the metal glazing points attached to it. These are tiny metal triangles that act as "nails", holding the window in the frame. They are placed under a glaze putty or bead that sets to form an unbreakable wedge that holds the frame in place and hides the points.

After removal of the old pane clean the frame and the wood. Scrape off any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points used to be. Sand them down to clean wooden surfaces, allowing you to paint the frames the same color. After sanding the wood you can apply a layer flax oil. This will help to prolong the life of the frame.

Then, you need to measure the size of the window opening. It is necessary to measure the horizontal and replace window Pane vertical 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 in times of seasonal changes. Bring these measurements to a 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.