How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane could be a nuisance. It can also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows and benefit from greater comfort, a higher resale value and reduced utility bills.

It's a task you can tackle yourself at less than the cost of hiring a professional. It requires the right tools and only an hour or two of your time.

Glass

Replace Window pane your old single-paned windows with tempered insulation glass to improve energy efficiency, cut down on noise, and maintain the original character of your older home. The replacement of the window glass replacement pane is easy and can be accomplished by most homeowners who possess basic hand replace window pane tools. In addition to a replacement pane, the following components are required for the replacement process: latex glazing putty Glazier's points; pliers and an electric heater to warm the old putty if required. Before starting, put on gloves and safety goggles as working with broken glass may cause injuries.

Take out any broken glass pieces remaining. This is best done using pliers, however, a flathead screwdriver may work in a pinch. After that, use a wood chisel, or putty knife, to take the remainder of the old putty around the frame and sash. Take your time and work slowly and be careful not to break the current window sash. This is best done on a ladder, not on the ground. Also, have someone lower to ensure it is held steady.

Prepare the window frame to receive the new pane once you have removed the old glue. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction by subtracting 1/8 inch from the measurements of the width and height. Take these measurements to an hardware store or home center, and find a piece glass cut to size. Alternatively, you can cut the glass yourself if have the right tools.

After installing the new pane After installing the new pane, apply a small amount of caulking around the edges to make it weatherproof. Install a glazier’s point on both sides of the frame. This will ensure the pane. The points should not be so tight as to cause friction between the sash and frame, but they also should not be too loose.

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

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular metal pieces which help to secure the glass to the frame without damaging the delicate surface. It's easy to understand how to use this secret tool, and you'll save money on the cost of a professional installation.

After removing the old putty, glazier points and any remnants clean the frame thoroughly using an utility knife. If necessary, lightly sand the wood along grooves of the rabbet to smooth rough areas. If you decide to sand wood, protect it with painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

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

Place the new pane in the frame and push firmly using your hands. Then use the point of your chisel, or the back of the putty knife to make a tap on the glazier's facets, as shown in Figure 11. When you're done taping, they should be in line with the top edge of the pane. the shoulders of the points should be below the rabbet's lip. groove.

Apply a thin bead of glazing compound on the edges of the new glass and in 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. First, coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will prevent the newly-created putty from drying out or cracking as it absorbs moisture. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or the tip of the putty blade. Then use the chisel on the back of the putty tool or the back of the handle to gently smash the new sash or glazier's point into grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown at you or an unintentional rock, or falling branch could cause a window pane to crack or break. The majority of windows can be repaired easily by simply putting in a fresh piece. The glass is held in place with a small metal clip called a glazier's point and putty, also called 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 doing this work. You'll require a heat gun when the window is fixed to the frame.

If you plan to reinstall the original sash, gently remove any molding pieces that are used to secure the old pane. Then, sand the sash to make sure it's flat and ready for new caulk. After the sash has been re-installed, apply a new silicone caulk around the glass to ensure it doesn't swell or fade over time.

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets and the grooves in the sash that the glass sits. If they're difficult to chisel, hold the hand tool, replace window pane such as a heating gun over them to soften first. When using a heating tool, be careful to not damage the sash or its railings.

After the old points of glazing and putty are removed, make a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope made of glazing compound between your fingers, and make it about 1/2 inch thick. Place it into the rabbets where the glass will be put. It is essential that the glass rests against the putty on each side, so if you need to, lightly tap the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack, you can cover it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk before pressing it into the sash. In other cases, you'll need to apply putty over the crack to create a tight seal and keep water out. After the putty is dry, clean the oily film off the glass using the help of a rag. Allow it to dry completely before painting. Paint after the putty has completely dried. It will not make a strong seal and may leak or discolor with time.

Paint

If you've experienced a broken window pane, you might be concerned about the expense of replacing it. It's true that replacing a single piece of glass doesn't have to be costly even if you do it your own. In fact windows with double panes can be replaced for less than the cost of an expert.

If you're working with large glass windows first ensure it is securely fixed to the frame. This task can be done relatively easy and quick with the proper tools and techniques.

When you're ready to start with the removal of the old window by removing the glazing points made of metal that are connected to it. These are tiny triangles of metal that function as "nails" that hold the window in place. They are buried beneath a bead or glazing glue that sets to form a solid wedge which holds the wood frame firmly in position and hides the points.

Once you have the old pane removed clean the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape away any old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves, where the glazing points used to be. These should be sanded down to the point of being bare, so that you can paint them the same color as the rest of the frame. After sanding the wood, 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. You'll need to take vertical and horizontal measurements of the entire opening as well as the thickness of the old pane. To determine 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 during seasonal 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.