How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window can be a nuisance. It can also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows to enjoy benefits such as improved comfort, increased the value of resales and lower utility bills.

This is a project you could take on yourself for only a fraction of the cost of hiring an expert. You'll only require the appropriate tools and a few hours of your time.

Glass

Replace your single-paned windows with tempered or insulate glass to improve energy efficiency, cut down on noise, and preserve the historic integrity of your older home. Most homeowners with basic hand tools can replace window pane windows with ease. You'll also require an extra window pane, glazier's tips pliers, and latex glaze putty. If necessary you can use a heatgun to warm the old putty. Before beginning, wear gloves and safety goggles as working with broken glass could cause injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. It is best to use pliers however, a flathead may be used equally. After that, use a wood chisel or putty knife to remove the remaining old putty from around the frame and the sash. Take your time and work slowly, taking care not to break the existing window sash. It is best to work using a sturdy ladder instead of the ground, and to place someone on the sash to help keep it steady.

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

After installing the glass, apply a small amount of caulking around the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Install a glazier’s point on both sides of the frame. This will ensure the pane. The points shouldn't be too tight that they cause friction between the frame and sash however they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty work it in a gentle manner until it is smooth and free of lumps. Then you can roll it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be placed in the corner of the frame, working from one corner to the next to ensure it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are tiny triangular pieces of steel that allow glass to be secured into the window frame without causing damage to 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 the glazier's point are gone, thoroughly clean the frame with a utility knife to eliminate any remaining traces. Lightly sand the wood into the rabbet grooves if needed to smooth rough areas. If you decide to sand wood, cover it with painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Write down the dimensions of the frame. These measurements can be taken to the hardware or home center store and replace Window Pane the new pane will be cut a bit smaller. This will ensure a snug fit and leave room for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and press it in place with your hand. Then use the point of your chisel, or the back of the putty knife to pierce the glazier's facets, as shown in Figure 11. When you're done, they should be flush with the top edge of the pane, and the raised 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 new glass and in the rabbet grooves, to seal and protect them. Allow this 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 stop the new putty drying out or cracking when it absorbs moisture. Apply this coat with a brush or the tip of your knife, and then use the chisel, or the back end from the putty knife to gently hammer in the new sash and glazier's tips into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches around the frame's perimeter.

Putty

A baseball thrown or a rock thrown by error, or a fallen tree could result in a broken or cracked window. Fortunately, windows can be replaced by simply putting a new piece in the right place. The glass is held in place using a small metal clip called a glazier's point and putty, often called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area with an abrasive, scraper that is a pull type or a wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while working. If the window is secured to the frame, you'll need employ a heat gun in order to soften the adhesive before taking it off.

If you are planning to install your original sash, you must remove the mold that holds the old pane. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready to receive new caulk. Once the sash is installed and sanded, apply a fresh caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure it will not leak or change color as time passes.

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets, the grooves in the sash, where the glass is. If they're difficult to work out, you can try holding a hand tool like a heat gun over them to soften them first. If you're using a heating gun, be careful not to cause damage to the railings or sash by holding the tool too close.

Create the bed for your new pane by 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, you can press it into the rabbets in which the glass will be. The glass must be positioned against the putty on both sides. If necessary you want to tap your glass lightly into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack you can fill it with a solvent-based glass glue or silicone caulk prior pressing it into the sash. If not, you'll have to putty over the crack to create a tight seal and keep water out. Once the putty is dry remove the oily film off the glass and allow it to dry completely before painting. Paint before the putty has dried completely. It won't create a solid seal and may be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a broken piece of glass. However, replacing a single glass pane doesn't have to break the bank if you do it yourself. In fact even windows with double panes can be replaced at a fraction of the cost of a professional.

First, if you are working on a large window, make sure that it is securely fastened to the frame. This task can be done relatively easy and fast with the appropriate tools and techniques.

When you are ready to start taking down the old replacement upvc window handles pane. Remove the glazing points made of metal 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 submerged beneath a layer of glazing putty, which is then cured to form a solid, molded wedge that secures the window in place and conceals the points.

After you have removed the old pane taken away, clean up the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape off any old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves in which the glazing points were. These should be sanded to bare wood, so that you can paint them the same shade as the rest of the frame. After the sanding process, apply a coat of flax oil to the wood's surface to prolong its life.

Next, measure the size of the window's opening. You'll need to determine the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the entire opening, as well as the thickness. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure you get a precise size for the new pane. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. You can take these measurements to a hardware store or home improvement shop and get 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 window replacement 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.