How to Replace Window Panes

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

It's a project you can tackle yourself at only a fraction of the cost of hiring a professional. You only need the right tools and a few minutes of your time.

Glass

Replace your old single-paned windows with tempered or insulation glass to improve energy efficiency, cut down on noise, and maintain the original character of your home's older. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can repair the window pane. You will also require an extra window pane, glazier's suggestions, pliers, and latex glazing putty. If you need to you can make use of a heat gun to warm the old putty. Before beginning, wear gloves and safety glasses as working with broken glass window replacement can cause injuries.

Remove any broken glass pieces remaining. This is best done using a pair of pliers, but a flathead screwdriver can also work in a pinch. After that, use a wood chisel, or putty knife, to take the remainder of the old putty around the frame and sash. Work slowly and carefully and be careful not to damage the old window sash. This can be done best on a ladder, not on the ground. Also, ensure that someone lower to ensure it is held steady.

Make sure that the window frame is ready to accept the new pane once you have removed the old putty. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction by subtracting 1/8 inch from the measurements of the width and height. Take these measurements to an hardware store or home center, and have a piece of stock replacement glass in windows cut to size. Alternatively, you can cut the glass yourself if have the right tools.

After putting in the new pane After installing the new pane, apply a small amount of caulking along the edge to make it weatherproof. Install a glazier’s point on both sides of the frame. This will help secure the pane. The points should not be too tight that they create friction between the frame and sash however they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty make sure to knead it until it is smooth and free of lumps. Cut it into pencil-sized pieces. 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 points are small triangular pieces of metal that allow glass to be secured into the window frame without causing any damage to the fragile surface. Understanding how to use these hidden tiny pieces of help is simple and could save you money on a professional installation or the cost of new glass.

After getting rid of the old putty glazier points and any remnants clean the frame thoroughly using an utility knife. Lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves, if necessary, to smooth out rough areas. If you do sand the wood, ensure you protect it by using painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Write down the exact dimensions of the frame. These dimensions can be taken to a home center or hardware store, and the new frame will be cut a bit smaller. 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 place by using your hands. Then, you can use the point of your chisel, or the back end of the putty knife to pierce the glazier's facets, as shown in Figure 11. When you're done, they should be in line with the top edge of the pane, and the shoulders that are raised of the points should be below the lip of the rabbet groove.

Apply a small amount of glazing compound over the edges of the glass that has been made 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. First, saturate the wood with a thick coat of Linseed oil. This will stop the new putty from drying out and cracking when it absorbs moisture. Use a brush to apply this coat, or even the tip of the putty blade. Then, use the chisel on the back of the tool or the back of the putty handle to gently hit the new sash, or glazier's point into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown or a rock thrown in error, or a fallen tree could result in a broken or cracked window pane. Luckily, most windows can be easily replaced by simply placing a new piece in the proper place. The glass is held into position by a small metal clip, referred to as a glazier's point and putty. This compound is also referred to as glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area with an abrasive, pull-type scraper or wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves while you do this work. If the window is attached to the frame, you'll need to use a heat gun to soften the adhesive before prying it free.

If you are planning to replace the original sash, take off the molding that supports the old pane. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is re-installed, apply a new silicone caulk around the glass to ensure it doesn't swell or fade in time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets and the grooves in the sash, where the glass is. If they're hard to chisel out, try placing a hand tool like a heat gun to soften them up first. When using a heating tool, be sure to not damage the sash or its railings.

After the old glaze 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 around 1/2 inch thick. Press it into the rabbets where the replacement glass windows will be placed. The glass should rest against the putty on both sides. If you need to gently tap your glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has cracked, you can use a silicone caulk or glass glue that is based on solvents to seal the crack before pressing it into the sash. If the crack isn't sealed, you'll need to use putty to keep the water out. After the putty has dried, wipe the oily film off of the glass and let it dry completely before painting. If you paint before the putty has completely dry, it will not form an effective seal and could be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

If you've had a broken window pane, then you may be worried about the cost of a new one. But the truth is that replacing a single glass pane doesn't have to break the bank If you can do it yourself. In fact even windows with double glazing replacement window panes can be replaced for a fraction of the cost of a professional.

If you are working on a large window, make sure that it is securely fixed to the frame. This task can be made relatively simple and fast using the proper tools and techniques.

When you are ready to start, remove the old window pane. Pry out the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. These are tiny metal triangles which act as "nails" to hold the window in the frame. They are buried beneath a layer of glazing putty that is then cured to form a solid, moulded wedge that secures the window in place and conceals the points.

After removal of the old pane clean the frame and glass Replacement on Windows the wood. Scrape away any old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves, where the glazing points used to be. Sand them down to bare wood surfaces, so that you can paint the frames with the same shade. 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 take vertical and horizontal measurements of the entire opening, as well as 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 also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass during seasons of changes. Take these dimensions to your local hardware or home improvement store, and they will 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 Replacement On Windows 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.