How to Replace Window pane Window Panes

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

It's a task you can do yourself for only a fraction of the cost of hiring an expert. You'll only require the right tools and a few minutes of your time.

Glass

If your single-pane windows are old damaged, cracked or deteriorating replacing them with more modern glass that is tempered or insulated can increase energy efficiency and decrease noise while also preserving the historical integrity of older homes. The replacement glass for windows of windows is easy and can be completed by most homeowners who possess basic hand tools. You will also require an additional window pane, glazier's suggestions, pliers, and latex glazing putty. If needed, you can use a heatgun to warm the old putty. Wear safety glasses and gloves before you begin. Working with broken glass could result in serious injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. It is best to use pliers for this, but a flathead can work equally. Then, use a wooden chisel or putty knife to take the remainder of the old putty from the frame and the sash. Take your time and work slowly, taking care not to break the current window sash. It is recommended to do this on a sturdy ladder rather than the ground, and to have someone standing below the sash to help keep it steady.

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

After installing the new glass Apply caulking on the edges. This will make the glass weatherproof. Install a glazier's pointing on both sides of the frame. This will ensure the pane. The points should not be so tight that they create friction between the sash and the frame but they shouldn't be loose.

Before putting the putty on, work it in a gentle manner until it's soft and free of lumps. Cut it into pencil-sized pieces. Place the first strip in the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to another to ensure it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular pieces of metal that help secure the glass to the frame without causing any damage to the fragile surface. It's simple to learn how to use this secret tool, and you'll be able to save money on the expense of an installation by a professional.

After removing the old putty, glazier points and any remnants Clean the frame thoroughly using an utility knife. If necessary, lightly sand the wood in the grooves of the rabbets to smooth out rough spots. If you do sand your wood, be sure to protect it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

Take measurements of the empty frame and note down precise measurements. Take these measurements to a hardware store or a home center and request that the new pane cut smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure that the pane fits perfectly and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new window in the frame and push it into the frame with your hand. Then, you can use the point of your chisel, or the back of the putty knife to tap in the glazier's points, as illustrated in Figure 11. After you're done, the points should be in line with the top edge of the pane, and the shoulders that are raised of the points should be below the rabbet's rim groove.

Apply a small amount of glazing compound over the edges of the new glass and into the rabbet grooves, to seal and protect them. Allow it to dry completely and cure.

Install the new window sash once the glazing compound has dried. The first step is to coat the wood with a heavy coat of Linseed oil. This will prevent the new putty from taking up moisture and drying out and cracking with time. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or even the tip of the blade. Then use the chisel on the back of the tool or the back of the putty handle to gently hammer the new sash or glazier's point into grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.

Putty

A baseball hit or a rock thrown by error or a branch falling could result in a broken or cracked window pane. Fortunately, the majority of windows can be replaced by simply putting a brand new piece of glass in its the proper place. The glass is held into place by a small metal clip, called the glazier's point, and putty. This compound is also referred to as glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area with a rag, a pull-type scraper or wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves while you do this work. If the window is attached to the frame, you'll need make use of a heat gun to soften the adhesive prior to cutting it loose.

If you're planning to install the original sash, gently remove any pieces of molding that hold the old pane in place. Then sand the sash to ensure it's level and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is installed, apply a new silicone caulk to the glass to ensure that it will not leak or change color in time.

Remove the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash, where the glass is. If they're difficult to cut, place the hand tool, like a heat gun over them to soften first. When using a heated tool, make sure to not damage the sash or its railings.

After the old points of glazing and putty are removed, prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope made of glazing compound between your fingers, and then make it about 1/2 inch thick. Place 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 gently tap your glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack you can fill it with a solvent-based glass glue or silicone caulk prior to pressing it into the sash. Otherwise, you'll need to putty over the crack to create an airtight seal and keep water out. After the putty has dried and the film is oily, wipe it off the glass with a rag and allow it to dry completely before painting. Paint after the putty has completely dried. It won't form a good seal and may leak or discolor with time.

Paint

If you've had a broken window pane, then you may be worried about the cost of a new one. However, replacing a single glass pane doesn't require a huge amount of money when you do it yourself. In fact, even a double-pane window can be replaced for less than the cost of a professional.

If you are working on a large-sized window, make sure it is securely attached to the frame. This job can be done relatively easy and fast using the appropriate tools and techniques.

If you're ready to begin taking off the old window by prying out the glazing points made of metal that are connected to it. These are basically small metal triangles which function as "nails" that hold the window in in the wood frame. They are buried beneath a layer of glazing putty, which is then cured to form a solid, molded wedge that holds the window firmly in place and conceals the window's points.

After removal of the old pane clean the frame and Replace window pane wood. Scrape off any old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were. They 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.

Then, take measurements of the dimensions 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 allow for seasonal changes in the glass. Take these dimensions to your local hardware or home improvement store and have 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.