How to replace window pane Window Panes

A cracked window pane is a nuisance. This can be an opportunity to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones, and reap benefits such as improved comfort, increased resale value and reduced utility bills.

It's a project you can tackle yourself at less than the cost of hiring an expert. It requires the right tools and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

Replace your single-paned windows using tempered or insulated glass to increase the efficiency of your energy, reduce noise, and preserve the historic integrity of your old home. The procedure of replacing the window pane is easy and can be completed by anyone with basic hand tools. In addition to a new pane, the following items are needed such as latex glazing putty; Glazier's points; pliers and a heat gun for warming the old putty if required. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to starting. Working with broken glass could cause serious injuries.

Take out any broken glass pieces remaining. This can be done with a pair of pliers, however, a flathead screwdriver can also be effective in a pinch. Then, use a wooden chisel or putty knife to take the remainder of the old putty around the frame and the sash. Work slowly and carefully and be careful not to break the existing window sash. This is best done on an elevated ladder, not on the ground. Also, you should have someone lower to ensure it is held steady.

Once you've removed all the old putty, prepare the window frame for the new pane. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction and contraction, subtract 1/8 inch from the measurements of width and height. These measurements can be taken to a hardware or home center store to get a piece cut of stock glass to the right size. Alternatively, you can cut the glass yourself, if you have the right tools.

After putting the new pane in place after installing the new pane, put a tiny amount of caulking around the edges to make it weatherproof. Then, you can install a glazier's pointing on the frame's opposite side to hold the pane in place. The points shouldn't be too tight that they create friction between the sash and the frame, but they also should not be too loose.

Before applying the putty make sure to knead it until it is soft and free of lumps. Then you can roll it into pencil-sized strips. Place the first strip to the corner of the frame, working from one corner to another to ensure it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are the tiny triangular pieces of steel which help to secure glass into frames for windows without scratching or damaging the delicate surface. It's easy to learn how to use this secret tool, and you'll save money on the cost of a professional installation.

After taking off the old putty, glazier points as well as any remaining remnants Clean the frame thoroughly with an utility knife. Lightly sand the wood into the rabbet grooves, if necessary, to smooth out rough areas. If you do sand the wood, be sure to protect it by using painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Note down the dimensions of the frame. Take these dimensions 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 window in the frame and push it into the frame with your hand. Make use of the point of the chisel, or the edge of the putty blade to tap in the glazier's points, as shown in Figure 11. The glazier's points should sit in line with the top edge of the pane and the shoulders raised should be just below that lip.

Apply a thin layer of glazing compound on the edges of the new glass and in 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. The first step is to coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will stop the new putty from drying out or cracking as it absorbs moisture. Apply the coat using a brush or the tip of your putty knife, and then use the chisel or the back end of the putty knife to gently hammer in the new sash and glazier's point into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball hit or a rock thrown in error or a branch falling could result in a broken or cracked window. Fortunately, the majority of windows can be repaired by simply putting a brand new piece in place. The glass is held in position by a small metal clip, called the glazier's point, and Replace Window pane putty. This compound is also called glazing compound. Before installing a new pane, first remove the old one and clean up the area using the help of a rag, the pull-type paint scraper or a wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves when you work. If the window is secured to the frame, you'll have to employ a heat gun in order to soften the adhesive prior to cutting it loose.

If you plan to reinstall the original sash, remove any pieces of molding that are used to secure the old pane. Then sand the sash to ensure it's level and ready to be re-caulked. After the sash has been reinstalled it is possible to apply a silicone caulk on the glass. This will ensure that it won't be leaking or fade over time.

Remove the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash, which is where the glass is. If they're difficult to work out, try holding an instrument like a heat gun over them to soften them before you do. If you're using a heat gun, make sure not to damage the railings or sash by holding the tool too closely.

After the old points of glazing and putty are removed, prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope with glazing compound between your fingers, and then make it about 1/2 inch thick. Press it into the rabbets where the glass will be placed. The glass must be positioned against the putty on both sides. If you need to, lightly tap your glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane is damaged, you can use a silicone caulk or a glass glue that is 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 out. After the putty is dry then clean the oily film off the glass with a rag and allow it to completely dry before painting. Paint before the putty has dried completely. It will not make a strong seal and could discolor or leak over time.

Paint

If you've experienced a broken window screen replacement pane, you might be concerned about the expense of replacing it. However, replacing a single glass pane doesn't need to cost a fortune if you do it yourself. In fact, even a double-pane window can be replaced at a fraction of the cost of a professional.

First, if you're working on a large-sized window, ensure that it is securely fastened to the frame. Using the proper tools and techniques to accomplish this task fairly easily and speedy.

When you are ready to begin taking down the old window pane. Take out the metal glazing points that are attached to it. These are essentially small metal triangles which function as "nails" that keep the window in place in the wood frame. They are placed under a bead of glazing putty, which transforms into a solid moulded wedge which holds the window in place and conceals the points.

After you have removed the old pane removed Clean up the frame and wood. Scrape away any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves, where the glazing points used to be. Sand them down to bare wooden surfaces so you can paint the frames the same color. After sanding, apply a layer of flax oil to the bare wood to help extend its lifespan.

Next, measure the size of the window's opening. It is necessary to measure the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the entire opening, as well as the thickness. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure that you get a precise size for the new pane. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. Bring these measurements to your local hardware or home improvement store and ask them to cut you cut the glass 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.