How to Replace Window Panes

A cracked window pane is a nuisance. It can also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows and benefit from improved comfort, increased resale value and reduced utility bills.

It's a project you can take on yourself for only a fraction of the cost of hiring an expert. You'll only require the proper tools and a few minutes of your time.

Glass

If your single-pane windows are old damaged, cracked or deteriorating replacing them with modern glass that is tempered or insulated will improve energy efficiency and reduce noise while preserving the historic integrity of older homes. The process of replacing the window pane is easy and can be completed by most homeowners who possess basic hand tools. You will also require an additional window pane, glazier's tips pliers, and latex glaze putty. If necessary, you can use a heating gun to warm the old putty. Wear safety glasses and gloves before you begin. Working with broken glass could result in serious injuries.

Take out any broken glass pieces that remain. This can be done with the help of pliers but a flathead screwdriver may work in the pinch. Use a wood chisel, or putty knives, to take away any old putty remaining around the frame and the window sash. Be careful and slow making sure not to damage the old window sash. It is best to work using a sturdy ladder rather than on the ground, and to place someone on the sash to help hold it steady.

Once you have removed all the old putty, it is time to prepare the window frame for the new pane. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction by subtracting 1/8 inch from the measurements of width and replace window Pane height. These measurements can be taken to an hardware or home centers store to get cut a piece of stock glass to the right size. Alternately, 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 around the edges to seal it against weather. Install a glazier's point on both sides of the frame. This will secure the pane. The points shouldn't be too tight that they create friction between the sash and the frame however they should not be too loose.

Before putting the putty on, knead it thoroughly until it is smooth and free of lumps. Then, roll it into pencil-size strips. Apply the first strip in the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to the next to ensure it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are the small triangular pieces which help to secure glass into frames for windows without damaging or scratching the delicate surface. It's easy to learn how to use this hidden tool, and you'll save money on the expense of an expert installation.

After removing the old putty, glazier points, and any other remnants Clean the frame thoroughly using an utility knife. If necessary it is necessary to lightly sand the wood along the grooves of the rabbets to smooth rough spots. If you sand wood cover it with painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Write down the dimensions of the frame. Take these dimensions to a hardware store or replace window Pane home center and request that the new pane made slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure that the pane fits comfortably and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new window in the frame and press it into place firmly by using your hands. Utilize the chisel's point or the edge of the putty blade to tap in the glazier's points as shown in Figure 11. When you're done, they should be flush with the top edge of the pane, and the shoulders of the points should be just below the rabbet's lip. groove.

Apply a thin layer glazing compound to 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, you need to coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will prevent the newly-created putty from drying out or cracking as 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 tip into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches around the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A hurled baseball or a rock that is errant or a fallen branch can cause a window pane to break or crack. Most replacement windows prices can be replaced by installing a new piece. The glass is held in place by tiny metal clips known as a glazier's point and putty, often called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area with the rag, a pull-type scraper or wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while working. You'll need a heat gun in the event that the window is glued to the frame.

If you're planning to Replace Window Pane your original sash, you must remove the molding that holds the old pane. Then you can sand the sash down to ensure it's level and ready for a new caulk. Once the sash is put back in place, 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 from the rabbets, or the grooves in the sash that the glass sits. If they're hard to cut, place an instrument such as a heating gun over them to soften first. When using a heat tool, be sure to not damage the sash or its railings.

Make the bed for your new pane after removing the old glaze and putty. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your hands, and form it into a 1/2-inch thick. Then, push it into the rabbets, where the glass will be. The glass must be positioned 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 prior to pressing it in the sash. In other cases, you'll need to apply putty over the crack to form an airtight seal and keep water out. After the putty has dried remove the oily film from the glass and let it dry completely before painting. If you paint before the putty has completely dry, it won't form a strong seal and may discolor or leak over time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a broken piece of glass. The truth is, replacing a single piece of glass doesn't have to be expensive when you do it on your own. In fact windows with double panes can be replaced for less than the cost of an expert.

If you're working with a large glass window first, ensure that it is securely attached to the frame. This job can be made relatively simple and quick with the proper tools and techniques.

When you're ready to start, begin by removing the old window by removing the metal glazing points that are attached to it. These are essentially small metal triangles that act as "nails" that keep the window in within the frame of wood. They are buried beneath a layer of glazing putty, which transforms into a solid moulded wedge which holds the window in place and hides the window's points.

After taking off the old pane clean the frame and wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used and sand the rabbet grooves that the glazing points were placed. They should be sanded to the point of being bare, to allow you to paint them the same shade as the rest of the frame. After sanding the wood then apply a layer of flax oil. This will help to prolong the life of the frame.

Then, take measurements of the dimensions of the window opening. You will need to measure the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the entire opening, as well as the thickness. To get the exact size 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. Take these dimensions to a 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 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.