How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane could be a source of frustration. It can also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows to benefit from 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 equipment and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

Replace your single-paned windows with tempered insulation glass to improve energy efficiency, reduce noise, and preserve the original character of your home's older. The replacement of the window pane is easy and can be accomplished by anyone with basic hand tools. You'll also require an additional window pane, glazier's tips, pliers, and latex glazing putty. If you need to, you can use a heating gun to warm the old putty. Before starting, wear protective gloves and goggles since working with broken glass can cause injuries.

Take away any broken glass pieces that remain. It is best to use pliers however a flathead could work equally. Then, use a wooden chisel or putty knife remove the remaining old putty from the frame and nearest sash. Take your time and work slowly making sure not to damage the old window sash. It is recommended to work on a sturdy ladder instead of the ground and have someone stand below the sash to help keep it in place.

After you have removed all of the old putty, you can prepare the window frame to accommodate the new pane. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction, subtract 1/8 inch each from the measurements of width and height. Take these measurements to the nearest hardware store or home center and find a piece glass cut to size. You can also cut the glass by yourself if you possess the appropriate tools.

After putting in the new glass Apply caulking around the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then, place a glazier's tip on each side of the frame to hold the pane in its place. The points shouldn't be tight enough to cause friction between the frame and sash, but they should also not be loose.

Before putting the putty on, knead it thoroughly until it's soft and free of lumps. Then, roll it into pencil-size strips. Place the first strip to the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to the next so that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are the small triangular pieces that allow glass to be secured into a window frame without scratching or damaging the delicate surface. Knowing how to use these hidden tiny helpers is simple and can save you money on a professional installation or the cost of buying new glass.

Once the old putty and the glazier's point are gone and the frame is thoroughly cleaned with a knife to eliminate any remaining traces. If needed you can lightly sand the wood along the grooves of the rabbet to smooth rough spots. If you sand wood cover it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

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

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

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

Install the new window sash when the glazing compound has dried. First, you need to coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will stop the new putty from soaking up the moisture and drying out and cracking over time. Apply the coat using a brush or the edge of your putty knife, then use the chisel or the back end from the putty knife to gently hammer in the new sash and glazier's point into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown at you or a rock that is errant or falling branch could cause a window pane to break or crack. The majority of windows can be replaced by simply putting in a fresh piece. The glass is held in place by a small metal clip called a glazier's point, and putty, often called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area using an abrasive, pull-type scraper, or a wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while working. If the window is attached to the frame, you'll have to make use of a heat gun to soften the adhesive before taking it off.

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 to receive new caulk. After the sash has been re-installed and sanded, apply a fresh caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure it doesn't swell or fade in time.

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets and the grooves in the sash, where the glass sits. If they're hard to chisel, use a hand tool like a heat gun over them to allow them to soften before. If you're using a heat gun, be careful not to cause damage to the sash or its railings by using the tool too close.

Once the old points of glazing and putty are removed, prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your fingers and make it around 1/2 inch thick. Place it into the rabbets, where the glass will be placed. It is essential that the glass rests against the putty in all places on both sides If you have to tap it, gently press the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked you can fill it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk before pressing it into the sash. In other cases, you'll need to apply putty on the crack to create an airtight seal and keep water out. Once the putty is dry clean the oily film off of the glass and let it dry completely before painting. If you paint before the putty is completely dry, it won't form a strong seal and may discolor or leak in time.

Paint

If you've experienced a broken window pane, you might be concerned about the expense of a new one. But the truth is that replacing one glass pane does not need to cost a fortune when you do it yourself. Even double-paned windows can be replaced for a fraction of the price it will cost for a professional.

First, if you are working on a large-sized window, make sure it is securely attached to the frame. By using the correct tools and techniques you can complete this task easily and speedy.

When you are ready to start, remove the old window pane. Pry out 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 in the wood frame. They are submerged beneath a layer of glazing putty that is then cured to form a solid, molded 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 old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves in which the glazing points were placed. These should be sanded down to bare wood, 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 extend its life.

Next, measure the size of the window opening. It is necessary to take horizontal and vertical measurements of the entire opening as well as the thickness of the old pane. To get the exact size of the new pane subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. Bring these measurements to a hardware or home improvement store, and they will have a piece cut for you.

Now, it's time to bed the new window handle replacement 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 nearest as the frame to prevent water and air from leaking into the frame and causing fogging.