How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window is an inconvenience. It could also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows to benefit from improved comfort, increased resale value and reduced utility costs.

You can do it yourself for a a fraction of what it would cost to employ an expert. You'll need only the right tools and a few minutes of your time.

Glass

If your single-pane windows are outdated damaged, cracked or deteriorating replacing them with more modern insulated or tempered glass can increase energy efficiency and reduce noise while preserving the original character of older homes. Most homeowners with basic hand tools can replace window pane a window pane. In addition to a replacement pane, the following components are required: latex glazing putty; glazier's points; pliers; and the use of a heat gun to warm the old putty, if necessary. Before starting, put on gloves and safety glasses as working with broken glass can cause injuries.

Remove any broken glass pieces that remain. It is best to use pliers however, a flathead may be used as well. Then, use a wood chisel, or putty knife, to remove the remaining old putty from around the frame and sash. Be careful to not damage the window sash. Work slowly and carefully. This is best done on an elevated ladder, not on the ground. Also, have someone below the sash keep it in place.

After you have removed all of the old putty, you can prepare the window frame to accommodate the new pane. Measure the width and height of the sash opening and subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). Bring these measurements to the nearest hardware store or home center, and get a piece of stock glass cut to size. You can cut the glass yourself if you possess the appropriate tools.

After installing the new pane after installing the new pane, put a tiny amount of caulking around the edges to ensure it is weatherproof. Then install a glazier's point on the frame's opposite side to secure the pane in the right place. The points should not be tight enough to cause friction between the frame and sash however they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty to the surface, gently knead it until it becomes soft and free of lumps. Then, roll it into pencil-size strips. The first strip should be placed to the corner of the frame, working from one corner to another so that it is 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 damaging the delicate surface. Learning how to use these tiny pieces of help is simple and can save you money on a professional installation or the cost of purchasing new glass.

After the old putty as well as glazier's points are removed and the frame is thoroughly cleaned with a knife to get rid of any remaining traces. Lightly sand the frame in the rabbet grooves, if necessary, to smooth out rough areas. If you sand wood, protect it with painter’s tape to protect it from damage caused by accidental sanding.

Take measurements of the empty frame and record precise measurements. Take these measurements to a hardware store or home center and have 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 into the frame and press it in place with your hand. Then, use the tip of your chisel, or the back end of the putty knife to tap in the glazier's facets, as shown in Figure 11. The glazier's point should be aligned with the top edge of the pane and the raised shoulders should be just below that lip.

Apply a thin layer of glazing compound to the rabbet grooves and the edges of the new glass. This will protect and seal the edges. 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 a thick coat of Linseed oil. This will stop the new putty from taking up moisture and drying out and cracking with time. Apply this coat using a brush or the tip of your knife, and then employ the chisel or back end of the putty knife to gently hammer the new sash and glazier's point into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process every 10 inches around the frame's perimeter.

Putty

A baseball that is thrown or an unintentional rock, or falling branch could cause a window handles replacement to break or crack. Fortunately, the majority of windows can be easily replaced by simply putting a brand new piece of glass in its the proper place. The glass is held in place by a small metal clip called the glazier's pointed and putty, often called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area using the rag, a scraper that is a pull type or a wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while doing this work. If the window is attached to the frame, you'll need use a heat gun to soften the adhesive before prying it free.

If you plan to reinstall the original sash in the future, replace window pane take care to remove any pieces of molding that secure the old pane. Then sand the sash to ensure it's smooth and ready to be re-caulked. 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, the grooves in the sash that the glass is. If they're difficult to cut out, you can try holding the hand tool, such as a heat gun over them to soften them before you do. When using a heating tool, be careful to not damage the sash and its railings.

Make the bed for your new pane after removing the old glaze points and putty. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, forming it to be about 1/2-inch thick. Then, push it into the rabbets, where the glass will be. It's important that the glass sits on the putty on both sides, so if you need to tap it, gently press the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack you can fill it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk before pressing it into the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you will need to use putty to keep water from getting in. When the putty dries, clean the oily film off the glass using the help of a rag. Allow it to dry completely prior to 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 suffered a break in a window pane, then you may be worried about the expense of replacing it. But the truth is that replacing one glass pane does not require a huge amount of money if you do it yourself. In fact windows with double panes can be replaced for only a fraction of the cost of a professional.

If you're working with a large glass window, first make sure it is securely attached to the frame. This job can be done relatively easy and quick with the right tools and techniques.

If you're ready to begin taking off the old window by removing the glazing points of metal that are connected to it. These are essentially small metal triangles which function as "nails" that keep the window in within the frame of wood. They are placed beneath a layer of glazing putty, which transforms into a solid formed wedge that secures the window in place and conceals the edges.

After you have removed the old pane taken away, clean up the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape off any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves, where the glazing points were. These should be sanded to bare wood, to allow you to paint them the same color as the rest the frame. After the sanding process, apply a coat of flax oil on the wood that is not sanded down to help extend its lifespan.

Then, you need to measure the size of the window's opening. It is necessary to take horizontal and vertical measurements of the entire opening and also the thickness of the old pane. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure that you get the exact measurement for the new pane. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass during seasons of change. Bring these measurements to the hardware or home improvement store and ask them to cut you the glass cut for you.

Now, it's time to bed the new window pane. To do this, Replace window pane 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.