How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane could cause a lot of trouble. It could also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows glass replacement to enjoy benefits such as greater comfort, a higher the value of resales and lower utility bills.

It's a task you can take on yourself for only a fraction of the cost of hiring a professional. It requires the right tools and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

Replace your single-paned windows with tempered or insulation glass to improve the efficiency of your energy, reduce noise, and preserve the original character of your old home. The majority of homeowners with basic hand tools can replace the window pane. In addition to a replacement pane, the following items are needed such as latex glazing putty; glazier's points; pliers; and the use of a heat gun to warm the old putty, if necessary. Before starting, put on gloves and safety glasses as working with broken glass could cause injuries.

Take away any Broken Window Replacement glass pieces that remain. It is best to use pliers however, a flathead may be used equally. Utilize a wood chisel or putty knives, to take away any remaining old putty around the frame and the window sash. Be careful to not break the window sash. Work slowly and carefully. It is a good idea to work using a sturdy ladder instead of the ground, and to have someone stand below the sash in order to help hold it steady.

After you have removed all of the old putty, prepare the window frame to accommodate the new pane. Measure the width and height of the opening in the sash, 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 stock glass to the right size. You can cut the glass yourself if you possess the appropriate tools.

After installing the glass After installing the glass, apply a small amount of caulking to the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Install a glazier's point on both sides of the frame. This will secure the pane. The points should not be so tight that they create friction between the frame and sash but they should not be too loose.

Before applying the putty to the surface, knead thoroughly until it is soft and free from lumps. Make it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip to the corner of the frame. Work from one corner to the next, making sure it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

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

After removing the old putty, glazier points and any residue, clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife. If needed you can lightly sand the wood along grooves of the rabbet to smooth rough spots. If you do sand the wood, be sure to protect it by using painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Write down the exact dimensions of the frame. These measurements can be taken to the hardware or home center 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 press it into place firmly by 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. The glazier's points should sit aligned with the top edge of your pane and the shoulders should be just below the lip.

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

Once the glazing compound has dried and the glazing compound is dry, you can install the new window replacements sash. The first step is to coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will keep the new putty from taking up the moisture and drying out and cracking over time. Use a brush to apply this coat, or the tip of the 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 grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process every 10 inches around the frame's perimeter.

Putty

A baseball thrown at you, an errant rock or a falling branch can cause a window to crack or break. Fortunately, windows can be easily replaced by simply putting a brand new piece of glass in its place. The glass is held in place using tiny metal clips known as a glazier's point and putty, also called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area using the rag, a pull-type scraper or wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves while working. If the window is glued to the frame, you'll need to make use of a heat gun to soften the adhesive prior to cutting it loose.

If you are planning to replace the original sash in the future, take care to remove any pieces of molding that secure the old pane. Sand the sash until it is flat and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is put back in place then, you can apply a silicone caulk on the glass. This will ensure that it doesn't get soiled or discolor over time.

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets and the grooves in the sash that the glass sits. If they are hard to cut, place a hand tool such as a heating gun over them for a few minutes to soften them. If you're using a heating gun, be careful not to cause damage to the railings or sash by placing the tool too tightly.

Create a bed for your new pane after you have removed the old glaze points and putty. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, shaping it into a 1/2-inch thick. Press 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 do so, gently tap the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack then you can seal 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 has dried clean the oily film from the glass and allow it to dry completely before painting. If you paint before the putty is fully dry, it won't create a solid seal and could leak or discolor over time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a damaged piece of glass. It's true that replacing a single pane glass doesn't need to be expensive if you do it on your own. In fact windows with double panes can be replaced for less than the cost of a professional.

If you are working on a large window, ensure that it is securely fixed to the frame. Using the proper tools and techniques you can complete this task easily and speedy.

When you are ready to start taking down the old window pane. Pry out the metal glazing points that are attached to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles that act as "nails" which hold the window in in the wood frame. They are buried beneath a layer of glazing putty, which transforms into a solid moulded wedge that secures the window in place and hides the points.

After removing the old pane, clean the frame and the wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used, and sand the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were. These should be sanded down to bare wood, so that you can paint them the same shade as the rest of the frame. After sanding the wood then apply a layer of flax oil. This will help extend its life.

Then, you need to measure the size of the window opening. You will need to measure 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 get a precise size for the new pane. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. You can take these measurements to a hardware store or home improvement store and have 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.