How to Replace Window Panes

A cracked window pane can be a source of frustration. It could be a chance to upgrade to energy-efficient windows or insulated ones and enjoy advantages like improved comfort, increased resale value and lower utility costs.

It's a project you can do yourself for less than the cost of hiring a professional. It requires the right tools and only an hour or two of your time.

Glass

replace window Pane your single-paned windows with tempered or insulate glass to improve the efficiency of your energy, reduce noise, and protect the original character of your home's older. The replacement of windows is easy and can be completed by homeowners with basic hand tools. You will also need a replacement 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 prior to beginning. Working with broken glass could result in serious injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. This can be done with the help of pliers though using a flathead screwdriver may be effective in a pinch. Make use of a wood chisel or putty knives to remove any old putty that remains around the frame and window sash. Be careful and slow, taking care not to break the current window replacement panes sash. It is recommended to do this on a sturdy ladder instead of the ground, and to have someone stand below the sash to help keep it steady.

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

After putting in the new pane after installing the new pane, put a tiny amount of caulking around the edges to ensure it is weatherproof. Then, you can install a glazier's pointing on the frame's opposite side to secure the pane into its place. The points should not be so tight as to cause friction between the sash and frame but they should not be too loose.

Before applying the putty work it in a gentle manner until it's soft and Replace Window Pane free of lumps. Then, roll it into pencil-size strips. Apply the first strip to the frame's corner. Work from corner to corner and ensure that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's facets are tiny triangular pieces of steel which help to secure glass into the frame of a window without scratching or damaging the fragile surface. It's easy to learn how to use this secret tool, and you'll be able to save money on the cost of a professional installation.

After the old putty as well as the glazier's point are gone and the frame is thoroughly cleaned with a utility knife to get rid of any remaining traces. If necessary, lightly sand the wood along the rabbet grooves to smooth rough spots. If you decide to sand wood, protect it with painter’s tape to avoid accidental damage.

Write down the exact dimensions of the frame. These measurements can be taken to a home center or hardware store and the new pane will be cut a bit smaller. This will ensure that the pane fits snugly and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and push it into the frame using your hand. Use the point of the chisel or the back of the putty knife to tap the glazier's points, as illustrated 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 the lip.

Apply a thin layer glazing compound on the rabbet grooves and the edges of the glass. This will protect and seal the edges. Let it dry completely and cure.

When the glazing compound is dry it's time to put in the new window sash. First, you need to coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will stop the new putty from drying out and cracking when it absorbs moisture. Apply this coat with a brush or the edge of your putty knife, then use the chisel or the back end from the putty knife to gently press the new sash and glazier's point into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown, a rock thrown in error, or a tree falling could result in a broken or cracked window. Luckily, most windows can be replaced by simply putting a brand new piece in the right place. The glass is held in the position with a tiny metal clip, also known as a glazier’s point and putty. This compound is also called glazing compound. Before you install a new pane, first get rid of the old one and clean the area using an abrasive and a pull-type paint scraper or the wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves when you work. You'll need a heating gun when the window is fixed into the frame.

If you're planning to replace your original sash, remove the molding that supports the old pane. Then sand the sash to make sure it's flat and ready to be re-caulked. Once the sash is installed, apply a new caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure that it will not leak or change color in time.

Take out the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves in the sash, where the glass is located. If they are hard to chisel, hold an instrument such as a heating gun over them for a few minutes to soften them. When using a heat tool, make sure to avoid damaging the sash's railings and sash.

After the old points of glazing and putty are removed, prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, forming it to be about 1/2-inch thick. Then, you can press it into the rabbets in which the glass will sit. It is essential that the glass rests against the putty in all places on both sides, so if you need to, lightly tap the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack then you can seal it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk prior pressing it into the sash. If the crack isn't sealed, you'll require putty to keep water from getting in. Once the putty is dry clean the oily film off the glass and let it dry completely before you paint. Paint after the putty has completely dried. It will not create a solid seal and could be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a broken pane of glass. But the truth is that replacing one glass pane does not need to cost a fortune If you can do it yourself. In fact windows with double panes can be replaced for only a fraction of the cost of an expert.

If you are working with large glass windows, first make sure it is securely fixed to the frame. Using the proper tools and techniques, you can complete this task easily and quick.

When you're ready to start taking off the old window pane by prying out the glazing points made of metal 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 beneath a layer of glazing putty that is then cured to form a solid, moulded wedge that secures the window in place and hides the window's points.

After removing the old pane, clean the frame and wood. Scrape away any old 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 of the frame. After sanding, apply a coat of flax oil to the wood that is not sanded down to extend the life of the frame.

Then, take measurements of the dimensions of the window opening. You will need to measure the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the entire opening, as well as the thickness. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure that you get the exact measurement for the new pane. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. Take these measurements to the 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.