How to Replace Window Panes

A cracked window pane is a nuisance. It could also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows and reap benefits like more comfort, higher potential for resales, and less costs.

This is a project you could tackle yourself at a fraction of the cost of hiring a professional. It requires the right tools and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

Replace window pane your single-paned windows with tempered insulation glass to improve energy efficiency, cut down on noise, and preserve the historic integrity of your older home. The process of replacing windows is easy and can be accomplished by homeowners with basic hand tools. You will also require a replacement window glass window pane, glazier's suggestions, pliers, and latex glazing putty. If you need to you may use a heatgun to warm the old putty. Wear safety glasses and gloves prior to starting. Working with broken glass could cause serious injuries.

Take away any broken glass pieces that remain. This can be done with a pair of pliers, though using a flathead screwdriver may be used in the pinch. Use a wood chisel, or putty knife to get rid of any old putty that remains around the frame and the window sash. Be careful to not scratch the window sash. Be careful and slow. This should be done on an elevated ladder, not on the ground. Also, have someone below the sash hold it steady.

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

After installing the glass, apply caulking on the edges. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then install a glazier's point on the frame's opposite side to secure the pane into the right place. The points shouldn't be too tight as to cause friction between the sash and frame, but they also shouldn't be too loose.

Before applying the putty on the surface, gently knead it until it is soft and free of lumps. Then you can roll it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip to the corner of the frame. Work from one corner to another to ensure it's even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

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

After getting rid of the old putty glazier points as well as any remaining residue clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife. Lightly sand the wood into the rabbet grooves if needed to smooth out rough areas. If you sand wood, protect it with painter’s tape to prevent accidental damage.

Measure the empty frame's dimensions and note down precise measurements. These dimensions can be taken to an hardware or home centers store, and the new pane will be cut to a smaller size. This will ensure that the pane fits comfortably and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and press it in place using your hand. Make use of the point of the chisel, or the back of the putty knife to smudge the glaziers' points as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's point should be in line with the top edge of the pane and the raised shoulders should be just below the lip.

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

Install the new window sash once the glazing compound has dried. First, coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will stop the new putty from drying out or cracking due to the moisture it absorbs. Apply the coat using a brush or the edge of your putty 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 rabbet grooves. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.

Putty

A baseball that is thrown or an unintentional rock, or falling branch could cause a window pane to break or crack. Fortunately, the majority of windows can be replaced by simply putting a new piece of glass in its the proper place. The glass is held in place by a small metal clip called a glazier's point, and putty, also called glazing compound. Before installing a replacement pane, first take out the old one and clean the area with the help of a rag, an abrasive scraper that is a pull type or a wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while doing this work. If the window is glued to the frame, you'll need use a heat gun to soften the adhesive prior Replace Window Pane to cutting it loose.

If you're planning to install your original sash, you must remove the molding that supports the old pane. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready for new caulk. After the sash has been reinstalled, you can apply a silicone caulk on the glass. This will ensure that it doesn't leak over time or discolor.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets and the grooves in the sash, where the glass is. If they're difficult to cut, place the hand tool, such as a heating gun over them for a few minutes to soften them. When using a heated tool, make sure to not scratch the sash or its railings.

After the old glaze points and putty have been removed, prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, forming it into a 1/2-inch thick. Then, push it into the rabbets where the glass will be. The glass must rest against the putty on both sides. If needed gently tap your glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can use a silicone caulk or glass glue based on solvents to cover the crack before pressing it into the sash. If not, you'll have to apply putty on the crack to form a tight seal and keep water out. Once the putty is dry, wipe the oily film from the glass and let it dry completely before painting. Paint after the putty has dried completely. It won't make a strong seal and could leak or discolor with time.

Paint

If you've suffered a break in a window pane, then you may be worried about the cost of a new one. But the truth is that replacing one glass pane does not require a huge amount of money when you do it yourself. In fact even windows with double panes can be replaced at 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. This job is relatively easy and fast with the right tools and techniques.

Once you're ready to begin, begin by removing the old window by prying out the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. These are tiny metal triangles that act as "nails", holding the window in the frame. They are submerged beneath a layer of glazing putty, which is then cured to form a solid, formed wedge that holds the window firmly in place and hides the window's points.

After removal of the old pane clean the frame and the wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used, and sand the rabbet grooves in which the glazing points were placed. They should be sanded to the point of being bare, to allow you to paint them the same color as the rest the frame. After sanding the wood, apply a layer of flax oil. This will help prolong the life of the frame.

The next step is to determine the size of the window's opening. You'll need to take vertical and horizontal measurements of the entire opening and also the thickness of the old pane. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure you get the exact measurement for the new pane. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass during seasons of change. You can take these measurements to a hardware 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 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.