How to Replace window pane Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window can be a nuisance. It could be a chance to upgrade to energy-efficient windows or insulated ones to enjoy advantages like improved comfort, increased resale values and reduced utility costs.

It's a project you can do yourself for less than the cost of hiring a professional. It requires the right equipment and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

Replace your single-paned windows using tempered or insulate glass to improve energy efficiency, cut down on noise, and preserve the historical integrity of your home's older. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can replace a window pane. You'll also require an extra window pane, glazier's tips, pliers, and latex glaze putty. If needed you can make use of a heat gun to warm the old putty. Before beginning, wear protective gloves and goggles since working with broken glass could cause injuries.

Take out any broken glass pieces remaining. It is best to use pliers, but a flathead can work as well. Use a wood chisel, or putty knives, to take away any old putty that remains around the frame and the window sash. Be careful to not scratch the window sash. Work slowly and carefully. It is recommended to work on a sturdy ladder rather than on the ground and place someone on the sash to help hold it in place.

Make sure that the window frame is ready to receive the new pane after you have removed the old putty. Find the width and the height of the opening for the sash by subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). These measurements can be sent to a home center or hardware store to have an item cut from glass stock to the proper size. You can cut the glass yourself if you possess the appropriate tools.

After installing the new pane After installing the new pane, apply a small amount of caulking around the edges to seal it against weather. Then install a glazier's point on the frame's opposite side to secure the pane in the right place. The points shouldn't be so tight that they create friction between the sash and frame, but they also shouldn't be too loose.

Before applying the putty, make sure to knead it until it's soft and free of lumps. Then, roll it into pencil-size strips. Place the first strip to the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to the next so that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are the small triangular pieces which help to secure glass into the frame of a window without scratching or damaging the fragile surface. Learning how to use these hidden tiny pieces of help is simple and could save you money on professional installation or the cost of purchasing new glass.

After the old putty as well as the glazier's point are gone, thoroughly clean the frame with a knife to remove any remaining residue. Lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves, if necessary, to smooth out rough areas. If you do sand the wood, be sure to protect it with painter's tack to avoid accidental damage.

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

Place the new pane in the frame and push it in with your hands. Then use the point of your chisel, or the back of the putty knife to pierce the glazier's facets, as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's points should be aligned with the top edge of your pane, and the raised shoulders should be just beneath that lip.

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

Install the new window sash after the glazing compound has dried. The first step is to coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will keep the new putty from sucking up the moisture and drying out and cracking with time. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or even the tip of the putty blade. Then, use the chisel that is on the back of the tool or the back of the putty handle to gently hammer the new sash or glazier's point into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A hurled baseball or a rock that is errant or falling branch could cause a window to break or crack. Most windows can be replaced easily by putting in a new piece. The glass is held in the position with a tiny metal clip, also known as the glazier's point, and putty. This compound is also called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area with a rag, Replace Window Pane a pull-type scraper or wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves while you do this work. If the window is secured to the frame, you'll have to use a heat gun to soften the adhesive before prying it free.

If you're planning to reinstall the original sash, take off the mold that holds the old pane. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready for new caulk. After the sash window replacement has been re-installed, apply a new silicone caulk around the glass to ensure that it won't leak or discolor in time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets, or the grooves in the sash where the glass is. If they're difficult to chisel, use a hand tool such as a heating gun over them for a few minutes to soften them. When using a heated tool, be sure to avoid damaging the sash's railings and sash.

Create the bed for your new pane after you have removed the old glaze points and putty. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your fingers, and then make it about 1/2 inch thick. Then, press it into the rabbets, where the glass will rest. The glass must rest 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 cracked, you can use a silicone caulk or a glass glue based on solvents to fill in the crack before pressing it into the sash. In other cases, you'll need to apply putty on the crack to form an airtight seal and keep water out. After the putty has dried then clean the oily film off the glass using an abrasive and allow it to dry completely before painting. If you paint before the putty is fully dry, it won't form an effective seal and could be leaking or discoloring in time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a broken piece of glass. But the truth is that replacing one glass pane does not require a huge amount of money when you do it yourself. In fact even windows with double panes can be replaced for less than the cost of a professional.

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

Once you're ready to begin with the removal of the old window pane by prying out the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles that function as "nails" that keep the window in in the wood frame. They are buried under a bead of glazing putty that hardens into a solid, molded wedge which holds the window in place and hides the points.

After you have removed the old pane taken away, clean up 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 to bare wooden surfaces so you can paint the frames with the same shade. After sanding, apply a layer of flax oil on the wood's surface to extend the life of the frame.

Next, measure the width of the window opening. You'll need to take vertical and horizontal measurements of the entire opening, and also the thickness of the old pane. To get the exact size of the new pane, subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. Take these dimensions to your local 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.