How to Replace window Pane Window Panes

A damaged window pane can be an issue. It can also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows and reap benefits like greater comfort, a higher resale value and reduced utility bills.

You can do it yourself for less than what it would cost to hire an expert. You only need the appropriate tools and a few hours of your time.

Glass

Replace your old single-paned windows using tempered or insulated glass to increase energy efficiency, cut down on noise, and preserve the historic integrity of your old home. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can replace the window pane replacement pane. You will also need a replacement window pane, glazier's suggestions, pliers, and latex glazing putty. If you need to, you can use a heatgun to warm the old putty. Before starting, put on gloves and safety goggles as working with broken glass can cause injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. This is best done using the help of pliers though using flathead screwdrivers can work in a pinch. Then, use a wood chisel, or putty knife, to remove the remaining old putty around the frame and the sash. Work slowly and carefully and be careful not to damage the old window sash. This should be done on a ladder, not on the ground. Also, ensure that someone lower to ensure it is held steady.

After you have removed all of the old putty, it is time to prepare the window frame to fit the new pane. Take measurements of the width and height of the sash opening, subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). These measurements can be taken to a home center or hardware store to get a piece cut of glass that is in stock to the correct size. Alternatively, you can cut the glass yourself, if you have the appropriate tools.

After putting in the new pane After installing the new pane, apply a small amount of caulking along the edge to seal it against weather. Then, place a glazier's tip on each side of the frame to secure the pane in its place. The points should not be so tight as to cause friction between the frame and sash however they shouldn't be loose.

Before putting the putty on, work it in a gentle manner until it is soft and free of lumps. Then, roll it into pencil-size strips. Apply the first strip to the corner of the frame. Work from corner to corner, making sure it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

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

After taking off the old putty, glazier points and any residue, clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife. If necessary you can lightly sand the wood along the grooves of the rabbet to smooth out rough areas. If you decide to sand the wood, be sure to protect it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

Take the dimensions of the frame and note down precise measurements. Take these measurements to an hardware store or home center and have the new pane cut smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure that the pane fits perfectly and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane in the frame and press it down with your hands. Use the chisel's point or the back of the putty knife to smudge the glazier's points as shown in Figure 11. After you're done, the points should be flush with the top edge of the pane and the raised shoulders of the points should be just below the rabbet's lip. groove.

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

Install the new window sash when the glazing compound has dried. First, coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will keep the new putty from sucking up the moisture and drying out and cracking over time. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or even the tip of the blade. Then, use the chisel that is on the back of the tool or the back of the putty handle to gently smash the new sash or glazier's point into rabbet grooves. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown or a rock thrown by error, or a tree falling can result in a cracked or cracked window. The majority of windows can be repaired easily by putting in a new piece. The glass is held in the position with a tiny metal clip, also known as the glazier's point, and putty. This compound is also referred to as glazing compound. Before installing a new pane, first remove the old one and clean the area with a rag and the pull-type paint scraper or the wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while you do this work. If the window is secured to the frame, you'll need to use a heat gun to soften the adhesive prior to taking it off.

If you are planning to install your original sash, you must remove the molding that supports the old pane. Then you can sand the sash down to ensure it's level and ready to be re-caulked. After the sash has been put back in place then, you can apply a silicone caulk to the glass. This will ensure that it won't be leaking or fade over time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash, where the glass is. If they're difficult to cut out, try holding an instrument like a heat gun over them to soften them up first. If you're using a heating gun, make sure not to scratch the railings of the sash or the sash itself by using the tool too close.

Once the old glazing points and putty have been removed, prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope with glazing compound between your fingers, and then make it about 1/2 inch thick. Then, you can press it into the rabbets where the glass will be. The glass must be positioned against the putty on both sides. If you need to, lightly tap your glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack you can fill it with a solvent-based glass glue or silicone caulk prior pressing it into the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you'll require putty to keep the water out. Once the putty is dry, wipe the oily film from the glass and allow it to dry completely before you paint. Paint after the putty has completely dried. It won't form a good seal and may be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a broken pane of glass. The truth is, replacing a single pane of glass doesn't have to be costly when you do it on your own. In fact windows with double panes can be replaced at a fraction of the cost of an expert.

If you're working with a large glass window, first make sure it is securely attached to the frame. With the right tools and techniques you can make this task relatively easy and speedy.

Once you're ready to begin with the removal of the old window pane by prying out the glazing points of metal that are connected to it. These are tiny triangles of metal which act as "nails" that hold the window in the frame. They are submerged under a bead of glazing putty, which transforms into a solid formed wedge that secures the window in place and hides the window's points.

After removing the old pane, clean the 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 bare wood, to allow you to paint them the same color as the rest of the frame. After sanding, apply a layer of flax oil to the wood's surface to help extend its lifespan.

Then, take measurements of the dimensions of the window's opening. You'll need to take vertical and horizontal measurements of the entire opening and also the thickness of the old pane. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure you get the exact measurement for Replace Window Pane the new pane. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. Take these dimensions to your local hardware or home improvement store and ask them to cut you 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.