How to Replace Window Panes

A cracked window pane is an inconvenience. It can also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows, and reap benefits like improved comfort, increased potential for resales, and less costs.

This is a project you could tackle yourself at less than the cost of hiring a professional. You'll need only the proper tools and a few minutes of your time.

Glass

Replace Window pane your old single-paned replacement windows with tempered insulation glass to improve the efficiency of your energy, reduce noise, and maintain the historic integrity of your older home. The majority of homeowners with basic hand tools can repair a window pane. In addition to a new pane, the following tools are required such as latex glazing putty; pliers, glazier's points and a heat gun for warming the old putty, if needed. Before starting, wear gloves and safety glasses as working with broken glass could cause injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. It is recommended to use pliers for this however, a flathead may work as well. Use a wood chisel, or putty knives, to take away any remaining old putty around the frame and window sash. Work slowly and carefully making sure not to break the existing window sash. This is best done on an elevated ladder, not on the ground. Also, ensure that someone on the ground to hold it steady.

Make sure the window frame is ready to receive the new pane when you have removed the old putty. Find the width and the height of the sash opening by subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). These measurements can be sent to a hardware or home center store to get a piece cut of glass that is in stock to the correct size. You can also cut the glass yourself if you have the tools you need.

After putting in the new glass After installing the glass, apply a small amount of caulking to the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Install a glazier's pointing on both sides of the frame. This will secure the pane. The points should not be so tight that they create friction between the sash and frame however they should not be too loose.

Before applying the putty on the surface, you must knead it thoroughly until it is smooth and free from lumps. Cut it into pencil-sized pieces. Apply the first strip 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 points are the small triangular pieces of metal that allow glass to be secured into a window frame without scratching or damaging the fragile surface. It's easy to understand how to use this hidden tool and you can save money on the cost of an installation by a professional.

After the old putty and the glazier's points have been removed, thoroughly clean the frame with a knife to get rid of any remaining residue. Lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves if needed to smooth rough areas. If you decide to sand the wood, ensure you protect it with painter's tack to avoid accidental damage.

Note down the dimensions of the frame. These measurements can be brought to a home center or hardware store, and the new pane will be cut slightly smaller. This will ensure that the pane fits comfortably and allows for expansion and contraction.

Insert the new pane into the frame and push firmly using your hands. Then use the point of your chisel, or the back of the putty knife to tap in the glazier's points, as shown 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 to the rabbet grooves as well as the edges of the new glass. This will seal and protect the edges. Allow this to dry and cure completely.

Once the glazing compound has dried, you're ready to install the new window sash. The first step is to coat the wood with a heavy coat of linseed oil. This will keep the new putty from taking in the moisture and deteriorating and cracking over time. Apply this coat using a brush or the tip of your putty knife, and then use the chisel, or the back end of the putty knife to gently hammer in the new sash and glazier's tips into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches along the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A hurled baseball or a rock that is errant or falling branch could cause a window to crack or break. The majority of windows can be replaced easily by simply putting in a fresh piece. The glass is held in place by a small metal clip called the glazier's pointed and putty, often called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area with a rag, a scraper that is a pull type or a wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves when working. You'll require a heat gun when the replacement upvc window handles is fixed to the frame.

If you are planning to reinstall 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. After the sash has been reinstalled then, you can apply a silicone caulk over the glass. This will ensure that it doesn't leak over time or discolor.

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets and the grooves in the sash, where the glass sits. If they are hard to chisel, hold an instrument like a heat gun over them to soften first. When using a heating tool, make sure to not damage the sash or its railings.

Create a bed for your new pane after removing the old putty and glazing points. Roll a rope with glazing compound between your fingers, and make it around 1/2 inch thick. Press it into the rabbets where the glass will be put. The glass should rest against the putty on both sides. If you need to you want to tap your glass lightly into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane has cracked, you can apply a silicone caulk or glass glue made from solvents to seal the crack prior to pressing it in the sash. If the crack isn't sealed, you'll need to use putty to keep water out. After the putty has dried clean the oily film off of the glass and allow it to dry completely before you paint. If you paint before the putty is completely dry, it won't form a strong seal and may leak or discolor in time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a damaged piece of glass. It's true that replacing a single pane of glass doesn't need to be expensive when you do it on your own. Even a double-paned window could be replaced at a fraction of the cost it will cost for a professional.

If you are working on a large-sized window, make sure it is securely fixed to the frame. By using the correct tools and techniques, you can make this task relatively easy and quick.

Once you're ready to begin, begin by removing the old window pane by removing the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. These are essentially small metal triangles which function as "nails" that hold the window in place within the frame of wood. They are placed under a bead or glazing putty which hardens into a solid wedge which holds the wood frame in place and conceals the edges.

After taking off the old pane clean the frame and the wood. Scrape off any old paint, and sand the rabbet grooves that the glazing points were. 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 you can apply a layer flax oil. This will help to extend its life.

Next, measure the width of the window's opening. It is necessary to measure the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the entire opening as well as the thickness. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure you have the exact size for the new pane. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass during seasons of change. 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.