How to Replace Window Panes

A cracked window pane is a nuisance. It can also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows, and benefit from improved comfort, increased potential for resales, and less bills.

You can do it yourself at only a fraction of the cost it would cost to employ an expert. It requires the right tools and only an hour or two of your time.

Glass

Replace your single-paned windows with tempered or insulation glass to improve the efficiency of your energy, reduce noise, and preserve the original character of your home's older. The majority of homeowners with basic hand tools can replace window Pane a window pane. You'll also require an extra window pane, glazier's tips, pliers, and latex glaze putty. If you need to you may make use of a heat gun to warm the old putty. Wear safety glasses and gloves prior to starting. Working with broken glass can cause serious injuries.

Take away any broken glass pieces remaining. This is best done using pliers, but a flathead screwdriver can also be effective in the pinch. After that, use a wood chisel, or putty knife, to remove the remaining old putty from around the frame and sash. Take your time and work slowly, taking care not to break the current window sash. This is best done on a ladder, not the ground. Also, you should have someone on the ground to ensure it is held steady.

Make sure the window frame is ready to receive the new pane when you have removed the old glue. Take measurements of the width and height of the sash opening, subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). These measurements can be taken to an hardware or home centers store to get an item cut from stock glass to the right size. Alternatively, you can cut the glass yourself if have the right tools.

After putting the new pane in place after installing the new pane, put a tiny amount of caulking along the edge to ensure it is weatherproof. Then, you can install a glazier's pointing on the frame's opposite side to secure the pane in place. The points shouldn't be too tight that they cause friction between the frame and the sash However, they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty make sure to knead it until it is soft and free of lumps. Cut it into pencil-sized pieces. The first strip should be glued to the corner of the frame. Work from one corner to another, making sure it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's facets are tiny triangular pieces of steel that allow glass to be secured into the frame of a window without scratching or damaging the fragile surface. Knowing how to use these tiny helpers is simple and could save you money on professional installation or the cost of new glass.

Once the old putty and the glazier's point are gone, thoroughly clean the frame with a knife to remove any remaining residue. Lightly sand the frame in the rabbet grooves to smooth rough areas. If you sand wood, cover it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

Measure the empty frame's dimensions and record precise measurements. These dimensions can be taken to the hardware or home center store, and the new frame will be cut slightly smaller. This will ensure that the pane fits comfortably and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane in the frame and press it into place firmly by using your hands. Use the point of the chisel or the back of the putty blade to smudge the glazier's points, as shown in Figure 11. The glazier's point should be flush against the top edge of your pane, and the shoulders raised should be just beneath that lip.

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 replace window pane cure completely.

When the glazing compound is dry it's time to put in the new window sash. First, 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 this coat using a brush or the edge of your putty knife, and then use the chisel or the back end from the putty knife to gently hammer the new sash and glazier's point into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches along the frame's perimeter.

Putty

A hurled baseball or a rock that is errant or a fallen branch can cause a window pane to break or crack. Luckily, most windows can be easily replaced by simply putting a new piece of glass in its the right place. The glass is held in place using small clips made of metal called the glazier's pointed and putty, also called glazing compound. Before installing a replacement window handle pane, first get rid of the old one and clean up the area with a rag and the pull-type paint scraper or a wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses when working. You'll require a heat gun when the window is fixed into the frame.

If you are planning to replace your original sash, you must remove the mold that holds the old pane. Then you can sand the sash down to ensure it's level and ready to be re-caulked. Once the sash is re-installed then, apply a new caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure that it won't leak or discolor in time.

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets, or the grooves in the sash where the glass sits. If they are hard to cut, place an instrument such as a heatgun over them to allow them to soften before. When using a heat tool, be careful to not damage the sash and its railings.

Prepare the bed for your new pane by removing the old glaze and putty. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your hands, and form it to be about 1/2-inch thick. Then, push it into the rabbets in which the glass will rest. The glass must be positioned against the putty on both sides. If necessary, lightly tap your glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack then you can seal 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 an airtight seal and keep water out. Once the putty is dry, wipe the oily film off the glass and allow it to dry completely before painting. If you paint before the putty is completely dry, it won't create a strong seal and may leak or discolor over time.

Paint

If you've had a broken window pane, you may be worried about the cost of a new one. In reality, replacing a single pane glass doesn't have to be expensive when you do it on your own. Even double-paned windows can be replaced for a fraction of the price it would cost an expert.

First, if you are working on a large window, make sure that it is securely fixed to the frame. This job is relatively easy and fast using the appropriate tools and techniques.

When you are ready to begin, remove the old window sash replacement pane. Take out the metal glazing points attached to it. These are small metal triangles that function as "nails" to hold the window in the frame. They are placed beneath a layer of glazing putty, which transforms into a solid formed wedge that holds the window firmly in place and hides the window's points.

After you have 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. Sand them down to bare wooden surfaces so you can paint the frames with the same color. After sanding, apply a layer of flax oil on the wood's surface to help extend its lifespan.

Next, measure the width of the window's opening. You'll need to determine the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the entire opening, as well as the thickness. 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 in times of seasonal change. You can bring these measurements to a hardware or home improvement store and have 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 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.