How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window is a nuisance. It could also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows, and enjoy benefits such as improved comfort, increased resale value and reduced utility costs.

You can do it yourself for a less than what it would cost to employ an expert. It requires the right tools and only an hour or two of your time.

Glass

replace window pane, description here, your single-paned windows with tempered or insulation glass to improve the efficiency of your energy, reduce noise, and maintain the historic integrity of your older home. The procedure of replacing a window pane is relatively simple and can be done by anyone with basic hand tools. You will also require an additional window pane, glazier's suggestions, pliers, and latex glaze putty. If necessary you can make use of a heat gun to warm the old putty. Wear safety goggles 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 done using the help of pliers though using flathead screwdrivers can be used in a pinch. Use a wood chisel, or putty knives to remove any old putty remaining around the frame and window sash. Be careful and slow, taking care not to damage the old window sash. It is best to do this on a sturdy ladder instead of the ground and have someone stand below the sash to help keep it steady.

After you have removed all of the old putty, prepare the window frame for the new pane. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction by subtracting 1/8 inch from the measurements of the width and height. These measurements can be taken to a hardware or replace window pane home center store to get an item cut from glass that is in stock to the correct size. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself if have the tools you need.

After installing the new glass, apply some caulking around the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Install a glazier's point on both sides of the frame. This will ensure the pane. The points should not be tight enough to create friction between the frame and the sash However, they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty on the surface, you must knead it thoroughly until it is soft and free of lumps. Then, roll it into pencil-size strips. The first strip should be glued 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 small triangular pieces of metal that help secure the glass into the window frame without causing damage to the delicate surface. Understanding how to use these hidden tiny helpers is simple and could save you money on a professional installation or the cost of purchasing new glass.

Once the old putty and the glazier's point are gone Clean the frame thoroughly with a utility knife to remove any remaining residue. If necessary, lightly sand the wood along rabbet grooves to smooth rough spots. If you decide to sand the wood, ensure you protect it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

Write down the dimensions of the frame. These dimensions can be taken to an hardware or home centers store, and the new frame will be cut to a smaller size. This will ensure a secure fit and leave room for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and push it into the frame using your hand. Make use of the point of the chisel or the edge of the putty blade to tap in the glazier's points as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's point should be in line with the top edge of your pane, and the shoulders should be just beneath that lip.

Apply a thin layer of glazing compound on the edges of the new glass and into the rabbet grooves, to seal and protect them. Allow it to dry completely and cure.

Install the new window sash once the glazing compound has dried. First, saturate the wood with a thick coat of linseed oil. This will prevent the newly-created putty from drying out and cracking when it absorbs moisture. Use a brush to apply this coat, or the point of the putty blade. Then, use the chisel that is on the back of the tool or the back of the handle to gently hammer the new sash or glazier's point into grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown at you or an unintentional rock, or a fallen branch can cause a window pane to crack or break. Fortunately, the majority of windows can be replaced by simply placing a new piece in the right place. The glass is held in place using a small metal clip called a glazier's point and putty, often called glazing compound. Before installing a replacement double glazed windows pane, first remove the old one and clean the area with the help of a rag, an abrasive scraper that is a pull type or an abrasive wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves when working. You'll require a heat gun in the event that the window is glued into the frame.

If you plan to reinstall the original sash in the future, take care to remove the molding pieces that secure the old pane. Sand the sash until it is flat and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is re-installed and sanded, apply a fresh caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure it won't leak or discolor as time passes.

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets, the grooves in the sash where the glass sits. If they're difficult to work out, try holding the hand tool, such as a heat gun over them to soften them first. When using a heat tool, be sure to not damage the sash's railings and sash.

Once the old glazing points and putty have been removed, prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope made of glazing compound between your fingers and make it around 1/2 inch thick. Then, push it into the rabbets, where the glass will sit. The glass must rest against the putty on both sides. If needed, lightly tap your glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can use a silicone caulk or a glass glue made from solvents to cover the crack before pressing it into the sash. Otherwise, you'll need to putty over the crack to form an impervious seal to keep water out. When the putty dries and the film is oily, wipe it off the glass using the help of a rag. Allow it to completely dry before painting. If you paint before the putty is completely dry, it won't create a solid seal and could be leaking or discoloring in time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a damaged piece of glass. In reality, replacing a single pane glass doesn't have to be costly when you do it on your own. Even a replacement double glazed window-paned window could be replaced for a fraction of what it will cost an expert.

If you are working on a large-sized window, make sure it is securely fixed to the frame. This job can be done relatively easy and quick with the appropriate tools and techniques.

Once you're ready to begin, begin by removing the old window by removing the metal glazing points that are attached to it. These are small metal triangles that act as "nails" to hold the window in place. They are submerged beneath a layer of glazing putty, which transforms into a solid moulded wedge that secures the window in place and hides the window's points.

Once you have the old pane taken away Clean up the frame and wood. Scrape away any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points used to be. Sand them down to clean wooden surfaces, allowing you to paint the frames with the same color. After sanding the wood then apply a layer of flax oil. This will help to prolong the life of the frame.

The next step is to measure the dimensions of the window's opening. It is necessary to take horizontal and vertical 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 the new pane. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass in times of seasonal change. Take these dimensions to the 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 replace window pane 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.