How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window can be a source of frustration. This could be an opportunity to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones and enjoy advantages like improved comfort, increased resale value and lower utility costs.

This is a project you could do yourself for a fraction of the cost of replacement windows uk of hiring an expert. You'll only require the appropriate tools and a few minutes of your time.

Glass

Replace your old single-paned windows with tempered or insulate glass to improve energy efficiency, reduce noise, and preserve the original character of your old home. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can replace a window pane. In addition to a replacement pane, the following tools are required for the replacement process: latex glazing putty Glazier's points; pliers and an electric heater to warm the old putty if required. 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 a pair of pliers, however, a flathead screwdriver can also be effective in a pinch. After that, use a wood chisel, or putty knife, to remove the remaining old putty from around the frame and sash. Be careful not to scratch the window sash. Be careful and slow. It is best to work on a sturdy ladder instead of the ground and have someone standing below the sash in order to help hold it steady.

Prepare the window frame to accept the new pane when you have removed the old glue. Take measurements of the width and height of the opening for the sash and subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). Bring these measurements to the nearest hardware store or home center, and get a piece of stock glass cut to size. You can also cut the glass by yourself if you have the right tools.

After installing the new glass Apply a small amount of caulking to 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 the right place. The points should not be so tight that they create friction between the frame and sash but they shouldn't be too loose.

Before putting the putty on, work it in a gentle manner until it's soft and free of lumps. Then you can roll it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip to the corner of the frame. Work from one corner to another and ensure that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are tiny triangular metal pieces that allow glass to be secured into the window frame without causing damage to the delicate surface. Learning how to use these tiny pieces of help is simple and could save you money on professional installation or the cost of new glass.

After getting rid of the old putty glazier points and any residue, clean the frame thoroughly using an utility knife. If needed you can lightly sand the wood along the grooves of the rabbet to smooth out rough areas. If you do sand your wood, ensure you protect it by using painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Measure the empty frame's dimensions and write down accurate measurements. Bring these measurements to a hardware store or home center and have the new pane cut smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a snug fit and leave room for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and press it into place firmly with your hand. Use the point of the chisel or the back of the putty knife to smudge the glazier's points, as shown in Figure 11. The glazier's points should sit in line with the top edge of your pane, and the shoulders raised should be just below that lip.

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

After the glazing compound dries it's time to put in the new window sash. First, you need to coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will prevent the new putty from sucking in the moisture and deteriorating and cost of replacement Windows uk cracking over time. 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 hammer the new sash or glazier's point into 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 a falling branch can cause a window pane to break or crack. The majority of windows can be replaced by installing a new piece. The glass is held in place by a small metal clip, also known as a glazier's point and putty. This compound is also referred to as glazing compound. Before you install a new pane, first take out the old one and clean up the area with a rag and the pull-type paint scraper or a wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses when working. 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 are planning to install the original sash, take off the mold that holds the old pane. Then, sand the sash to make sure it's flat and ready for a new caulk. Once the sash is installed then, apply a new silicone caulk around the glass to ensure that it will not leak or change color over time.

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets and the grooves in the sash that the glass is. If they're hard to cut, place an instrument such as a heatgun over them to soften first. When using a heat tool, be careful to avoid damaging the sash or its railings.

Prepare a bed for your new pane after removing the old putty and glazing points. Roll a rope made of glazing compound between your fingers, and make it about 1/2 inch thick. Then, push it into the rabbets where the glass will sit. The glass should rest against the putty on both sides. If needed you want to tap your glass lightly into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can apply a silicone caulk or glass glue made from solvents to seal the crack before pressing it in the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you'll need to apply putty to keep water out. Once the putty is dry clean the oily film from the glass and let it dry completely before painting. If you paint before the putty is completely dry, it will not form a solid seal and could discolor or leak over time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a broken piece of glass. But the truth is that replacing one glass pane does not have to break the bank If you can do it yourself. In fact, cost Of replacement windows uk even a double-pane window can be replaced at only a fraction of the cost of a professional.

If you are working with a large glass window, first make sure it is securely attached to the frame. Using the proper tools and techniques to make this task relatively easy and speedy.

When you are ready to begin, remove the old window pane replacement pane. Take out the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. These are tiny triangles of metal that act as "nails", holding the window within the frame. They are buried under a bead of glazing putty that is then cured to form a solid, moulded wedge that secures the window in place and conceals the points.

After you have removed the old pane removed, clean up the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used, and sand the rabbet grooves in which the glazing points were. These should be sanded down to bare wood so that you can paint them the same color as the rest of the frame. After sanding the wood you can apply a layer flax oil. This will help to prolong the life of the frame.

Next, measure the width of the window's opening. You'll need to determine the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the entire opening as well as the thickness. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure that you have the exact size for the new pane. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. Take these measurements to the hardware or home improvement store, and they will have a piece 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.