How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane could cause a lot of trouble. This can be an opportunity to upgrade to energy-efficient windows or insulated ones to enjoy benefits such as improved comfort, increased resale values and lower utility costs.

You can do it yourself at only a fraction of the cost it would cost to employ an expert. You'll only require the proper tools and a few hours of your time.

Glass

If your single-pane windows are old, deteriorating or broken replacing them with more modern glass that is tempered or insulated will improve energy efficiency and reduce noise while preserving the historic integrity of older homes. Most homeowners with basic hand tools can replace the window pane. In addition to a new pane, the following components are required for the replacement upvc window handles process: latex glazing putty glazier's points; pliers; and a heat gun for warming the old putty if required. Before starting, wear gloves and safety goggles as working with broken glass could cause injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. This can be done with a pair of pliers, though using flathead screwdrivers can be effective in a pinch. Utilize a wood chisel or putty knife to get rid of any remaining old putty around the frame and the window sash. Take your time and work slowly, taking care not to damage the old window sash. This can be done best on a ladder, not on the ground. Also, have someone lower to hold it steady.

Make sure the window frame is ready to accommodate the new pane when you have removed the old glue. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction, subtract 1/8 inch each from the measurements of the width and height. These measurements can be taken to a hardware or home center store to have cut a piece of glass that is in stock to the correct size. You can cut the glass yourself if you possess the right tools.

After putting the new pane in place After installing the new pane, apply a small amount of caulking around the edges to seal it against weather. Then, place a glazier's tip on each side of the frame to hold the pane in the right place. The points shouldn't be too tight that they cause friction between the frame and sash, but they should also not be loose.

Before applying the putty to the surface, you must knead it thoroughly until it is smooth and free of lumps. Then make it into pencil-sized strips. Place the first strip to the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to the other to ensure it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier’s points are small triangular pieces of metal that help secure the glass into the window frame without causing any damage to the fragile surface. It's easy to learn how to use this nefarious tool, and you'll save money on the expense of an installation by a professional.

After taking off the old putty, glazier points, and any other leftovers Clean the frame thoroughly with an utility knife. If necessary, lightly sand the wood in the grooves of the rabbet to smooth out rough spots. If you sand wood cover it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

Take the dimensions of the frame and record precise measurements. These dimensions can be taken to a home center or hardware store, and glazing the new pane will be cut slightly smaller. This will ensure a snug fit and leave room for expansion and contraction.

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

Apply a thin layer of glazing compound on the edges of the glass that has been made and into the rabbet grooves to seal and protect them. Let it dry and cure fully.

After the glazing compound dries it's time to put in the new window sash. The first step is to coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will prevent the new putty from soaking up moisture and drying out and cracking with time. Apply this coat using a brush or the tip of your putty knife, then use the chisel, or the back end of the knife to gently press the new sash and glazier's points into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown or a rock thrown by error or a branch falling could result in a broken or cracked window pane. Most windows can be replaced by simply putting in a fresh piece. The glass is held in place with tiny metal clips known as a glazier's point, and putty, often called glazing compound. Before installing a new pane, first remove the old one and clean the area with the help of a rag, an abrasive scraper that is a pull type or a wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves when you work. You'll require a heat gun if the window is glued into the frame.

If you're planning to replace your original sash, remove the mold that holds the old pane. Then, sand the sash to ensure it's level and ready for new caulk. After the sash has been installed, you can apply a silicone caulk on the glass. This will ensure that it doesn't be leaking or fade over time.

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets and the grooves in the sash where the glass sits. If they're difficult to cut out, try placing the hand tool, such as a heat gun over them to soften them first. When using a heat tool, make sure to avoid damaging the sash or its railings.

Create a bed for your new pane by removing the old glaze points and putty. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your hands, forming it into a 1/2-inch thick. Place it into the rabbets, where the glass will be put. The glass must be positioned against the putty on both sides. If needed you want to tap your glass lightly into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can use a silicone caulk or a glass glue based on solvents to seal the crack before pressing it in the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you'll require putty to keep water from getting in. After the putty has dried, clean the oily film off the glass using a rag and allow it to dry completely before painting. If you paint before the putty is fully dry, it will not form an effective seal and could leak or discolor over time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a broken pane of glass. But the truth is that replacing a single glass pane doesn't require a huge amount of money If you can do it yourself. In fact windows with replacement double glazed windows panes can be replaced for a fraction of the cost of a professional.

If you are working on a large-sized window, ensure that it is securely attached to the frame. This task can be done relatively easy and fast with the appropriate tools and techniques.

When you are ready to begin with the removal of the window pane. Remove the metal glazing points that are attached to it. These are essentially small metal triangles which function as "nails" that hold the window in in the wood frame. They are buried beneath a layer of glazing putty that hardens into a solid, formed wedge that holds the window firmly in place and conceals the window's points.

After you have removed the old pane removed, clean up the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape off any old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were placed. These should be sanded down to bare wood so that you can paint them the same color as the rest of the frame. After sanding, apply a layer of flax oil on the bare wood to help extend its lifespan.

Then, take measurements of the dimensions 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. 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 during 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.