How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane could cause a lot of trouble. It could also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows and benefit from greater comfort, a higher potential for resales, and less bills.

It's a project you can take on yourself for a fraction of the cost of hiring an expert. It requires the right tools and only an hour or two of your time.

Glass

If your single pane windows are old broken, deteriorating or damaged replacing them with modern insulated or tempered glass can increase energy efficiency and reduce noise while preserving the historic integrity of older homes. Most homeowners with basic hand tools can repair a window pane. Alongside a replacement window pane pane, the following components are needed: latex glazing putty; pliers, glazier's points and a heat gun for warming the old putty, if needed. Wear safety glasses and gloves before you begin. Working with broken glass could result in serious injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. It is best to use pliers however a flathead could be used equally. Utilize a wood chisel or putty knives, to take away any old putty remaining around the frame and window sash. Be careful not to scratch the window sash. Take your time and work slowly. This should be done on an elevated ladder, not on the ground. Also, ensure that someone below the sash hold it steady.

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

After installing the new pane, run a small bead of caulking around the edges to ensure it is weatherproof. Then, place a glazier's tip on the frame's opposite side to hold the pane in its place. The points shouldn't be tight enough to 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. Make it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip to the corner of the frame. Work from one corner to another to ensure it's even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular pieces which help to secure glass into a window replacement glass near me frame without scratching or damaging the fragile surface. It's simple to learn how to use this hidden tool, and you'll be able to save money on the expense of an expert installation.

Once the old putty and the glazier's point are gone and the frame is thoroughly cleaned with a utility knife to remove any remaining residue. If needed you can lightly sand the wood in the grooves of the rabbets to smooth rough spots. If you do sand the wood, ensure you protect it by using painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Measure the empty frame's dimensions and write down accurate measurements. Bring these measurements to an hardware store or home center and request that the new pane cut smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure that the pane fits snugly and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane in the frame and push it in using your hands. Then, use the tip of your chisel, or the back of the putty knife to tap in the glazier's facets, as shown in Figure 11. The glazier's points should be in line with the top edge of your pane, and the shoulders raised should be just below that lip.

Apply a small amount of glazing compound on the edges of the new glass and into the rabbet grooves to seal and protect them. Allow it to dry and cure completely.

After the glazing compound dries, you're ready to install the new window sash. First, saturate the wood with a heavy coat of Linseed oil. This will prevent the newly-created putty from drying out or cracking as it absorbs moisture. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or even the tip of the blade. Then use the chisel on the back of the putty tool or the back of the putty handle to gently hit 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 hurled baseball or an unintentional rock, or falling branch could cause a window replacement glass to crack or break. Most windows can be replaced by simply putting in a fresh piece. The glass is held in position by a small metal clip, referred to as a glazier's point and putty. This compound is also called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area with an abrasive, pull-type scraper, or a wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while you do this work. You'll need a heating gun in the event that the window is glued into the frame.

If you're planning to install the original sash, remove any molding pieces that secure the old pane. Then, sand the sash to ensure it's level and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is installed then, you can apply a silicone caulk over the glass. This will ensure that it doesn't be leaking or fade over time.

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

Prepare a bed for your new pane after removing the old glaze points and putty. Roll a rope with glazing compound between your fingers, and make it about 1/2 inch thick. Then, push it into the rabbets where the glass will sit. The Glass Windows Replacement must be positioned against the putty on both sides. If you need to you want to tap your glass lightly into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can use a silicone caulk or glass glue made from solvents to seal the crack before pressing it into the sash. Otherwise, you'll need to apply putty over the crack to create an airtight seal and keep water out. When the putty dries, clean the oily film off the glass with the help of a rag. Allow it to completely dry before painting. If you paint before the putty is fully dry, it will not form an effective seal and could leak or discolor in time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a broken pane of glass. The truth is, replacing a single pane of glass doesn't need to be costly even if you do it your own. Even a double glazed replacement windows-paned window can be replaced at a fraction of the cost it will cost for a professional.

First, if you're working on a large window, ensure that it is securely fastened to the frame. With the right tools and techniques, you can complete this task easily and quick.

If you're ready to begin taking off the old window sash replacement pane by removing the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles that act as "nails" that hold the window in place in the wood frame. They are submerged under a bead of glazing putty, which is then cured to form a solid, molded wedge which holds the window in place and hides the edges.

After taking off 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. They should be sanded to bare wood to allow you to paint them the same color as the rest the frame. After sanding, apply a layer of flax oil on the wood that is not sanded down to extend the life of the frame.

Next, measure the size of the window opening. It is necessary to take horizontal and vertical measurements of the entire opening, as well as the thickness of the old pane. 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. You can bring these measurements to a hardware or home improvement shop 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.