How to Replace Window Panes

A cracked window pane can cause a lot of trouble. This could be an opportunity to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones and enjoy benefits like increased comfort, higher resale value and reduced utility costs.

This is a project you could take on yourself for a fraction of the cost of hiring an expert. It requires the right tools and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

replace Window pane your single-paned windows using tempered or insulate glass to improve the efficiency of your energy, reduce noise, and protect the historic integrity of your home's older. The process of replacing a window pane is relatively easy and can be completed by anyone with basic hand tools. Alongside a replacement pane, the following components are needed: latex glazing putty; Glazier's points; pliers and an electric heater to warm the old putty, if necessary. Wear safety glasses and gloves before you begin. Working with broken glass could result in serious injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. This is best accomplished with the help of pliers however, a flathead screwdriver can also work in a pinch. Then, use a wooden chisel, or putty knife, to take the remainder of the old putty from around the frame and the sash. Be careful and slow, taking care not to damage the old window sash. This can be done best on an elevated ladder, not on the ground. Also, you should have someone lower to keep it in place.

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

After installing the new glass, apply a small amount of caulking on the edges. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then, place a glazier's tip on each side of the frame to secure the pane into the right place. The points shouldn't be too tight that they cause friction between the frame and sash, but they should also not be loose.

Before applying the putty to the surface, knead thoroughly until it is soft and free from lumps. Then make it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be placed to the corner of the frame, working from one corner to another so that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular pieces that allow glass to be secured into frames for windows without scratching or damaging the delicate surface. Understanding how to use these hidden tiny pieces of help is simple and could save you money on a professional installation or the cost of new glass.

Once the old putty and glazier's points are removed and the frame is thoroughly cleaned using a utility knife to get rid of any remaining residue. Lightly sand the wood into the rabbet grooves to smooth out rough areas. If you do sand your wood, be sure to protect it with painter's tack to avoid accidental damage.

Take the dimensions of the frame and record precise measurements. Bring these measurements to an hardware store or home center, and have the new pane cut slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a tight fit and leave room for expansion and contraction.

Place the new window in the frame and push it into place firmly with your hand. Use the point of the chisel, or the edge of the putty blade to tap in the glaziers' points as shown in Figure 11. The glazier's points should be aligned with the top edge of the pane and the shoulders should be just beneath that lip.

Apply a thin bead of glazing compound on the edges of the new glass and into the rabbet grooves to seal and protect them. Allow it to dry and cure completely.

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 drying out or cracking due to the moisture it absorbs. Use a brush to apply this coat, or the point of the blade. Then use the chisel that is on the back of the putty tool or the back of the handle to gently hammer the new sash or glazier's point into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches around the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A baseball that is thrown or a rock that is errant or a falling branch can cause a window to crack or break. Most windows can be replaced easily by simply putting in a fresh piece. The glass is held into the position with a tiny metal clip, also known as the glazier's point, and replace Window Pane putty. This compound is also referred to as glazing compound. Before installing a new pane, first remove the old one and clean up the area with an abrasive and the pull-type paint scraper or the wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses when you work. If the window is secured to the frame, you'll need to make use of a heat gun to soften the adhesive before prying it free.

If you are planning to reinstall your original sash, remove the molding that holds the old pane. Then you can sand the sash down to ensure it's smooth and ready for new caulk. After the sash has been re-installed, apply a new caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure that it doesn't swell or fade as time passes.

Take out the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash, where the glass is located. If they're difficult to cut, place the hand tool, such as a heating gun over them to allow them to soften before. If you're using a heating gun, be careful not to scratch the railings of the sash or the sash itself by placing the tool too close.

Once the old glazing points and putty have been removed prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your hands, and form it to be about 1/2-inch thick. Then, you can press it into the rabbets where the glass will be. It is essential that the glass rests against the putty on each side So if you have to, lightly tap the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has damaged, you can use a silicone caulk or glass glue that is based on solvents to cover the crack prior to pressing it into the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you'll require putty to keep water from getting in. Once the putty is dry clean the oily film off of the glass and let it dry completely before you paint. Paint after the putty has dried completely. It won't make a strong seal and could discolor or leak over time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a broken piece of glass. But the truth is that replacing a single glass pane doesn't need to cost a fortune when you do it yourself. In fact windows with double panes can be replaced at a fraction of the cost of a professional.

If you are working on a large-sized window, make sure that it is securely fixed to the frame. This task can be made relatively simple and quick with the appropriate tools and techniques.

When you are ready to begin taking down the old window replacement companies pane. Pry out the metal glazing points that are attached to it. These are tiny metal triangles that act as "nails", holding the window within the frame. They are buried under a bead of glazing putty that transforms into a solid formed wedge which holds the window in place and hides the points.

After removal of the old pane clean the frame and wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were. Sand them down to bare wooden surfaces so you can paint the frames the same color. After sanding the wood then apply a layer of flax oil. This will help to extend its life.

Then, you need to measure the width of the window's opening. It is necessary to take horizontal and vertical measurements of the entire opening and also the thickness of the old pane. To determine the exact dimensions of the new pane, subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. Take these measurements to a hardware or home improvement store, and they will 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.