How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window can cause a lot of trouble. This could be an opportunity to upgrade to energy-efficient windows or insulated ones and enjoy benefits like increased comfort, increased resale values and lower utility costs.

It's a project you can do yourself for less than the cost of hiring a professional. You only need the proper tools and a few minutes of your time.

Glass

If your single-pane windows are old broken, deteriorating or damaged replacing them with modern insulated or tempered glass can increase energy efficiency and reduce noise while preserving the historic integrity of older homes. The majority of homeowners with basic hand tools can replace window Pane a window pane. In addition to a replacement pane, the following tools are needed such as latex glazing putty; Glazier's points; pliers and a heat gun for warming the old putty if required. Wear safety glasses and gloves before you begin. Working with broken glass can cause serious injuries.

Remove any broken glass pieces that remain. It is recommended to use pliers, but a flathead can work as well. Then, use a wood chisel, or putty knife, to remove the remaining old putty from around the frame and the sash. Be careful to not scratch the window sash. Take your time and work slowly. This should be done on a ladder, not the ground. Also, have someone lower to hold it steady.

After you have removed all the old putty, prepare the window frame to accommodate the new pane. 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). These measurements can be taken to an hardware or home centers store to get cut a piece of glass that is in stock to the correct size. You can also cut the glass by yourself if you possess the appropriate tools.

After putting the new pane in place after installing the new pane, put a tiny amount of caulking around the edges to make it weatherproof. Install a glazier's point on both sides of the frame. This will help secure the pane. The points should not be so tight that they create friction between the frame and sash, but they should also not be loose.

Before putting the putty on, make sure to knead it until it is soft and free of lumps. Cut it into pencil-sized pieces. Apply the first strip to the frame's corner. Work from one corner to another, making sure it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier’s points are small triangular metal pieces that help secure the glass to the frame without causing any damage to the fragile surface. Understanding how to use these tiny helpers is simple and can save you money on a professional installation or the cost of buying new glass.

After removing the old putty, glazier points, and any other residue Clean the frame thoroughly using an utility knife. If necessary, lightly sand the wood in the grooves of the rabbet to smooth rough areas. If you sand wood protect it with painter's tape to protect it from damage caused by accidental sanding.

Note down the dimensions of the frame. These dimensions can be taken to the hardware or home center store, and replace window pane the new pane will be cut slightly smaller. This will ensure a snug fit, and allow for expansion and contraction.

Place the new window in the frame and push it into place firmly using your hand. Then, use the tip of your chisel or back end of the putty knife to pierce the glazier's facets, as shown in Figure 11. The glazier's points should be aligned with the top edge of your pane, and the shoulders raised should be just below the lip.

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

Install the new window sash after the glazing compound has dried. The first step is to coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will prevent the new putty from drying out or cracking when it absorbs moisture. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or even the tip of the putty blade. Then use the chisel that is on the back of the putty tool or the back of the putty handle to gently smash the new sash or glazier's tip into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A hurled baseball, an errant rock or a falling branch can cause a window pane to crack or break. Luckily, most windows can be easily replaced by simply putting a new piece in the right place. The glass is held into the position with a tiny metal clip, also known as a glazier’s point and putty. This compound is also known as glazing compound. Before installing a replacement pane, first take out the old one and clean the area using an abrasive and an abrasive scraper that is a pull type or an abrasive wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves while doing this work. If the window is secured to the frame, you'll need make use of a heat gun to soften the adhesive prior to cutting it loose.

If you're planning to install the original sash, remove the molding pieces that secure the old pane. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready for new caulk. After the sash has been re-installed then, apply a new caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure it will not leak or change color in time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets. These are the grooves in the sash where the glass is. If they're difficult to cut, place an instrument 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 scratch the railings or sash by holding the tool too closely.

Make the bed for your new pane after removing the old glaze points and putty. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your hands, and form it into a 1/2-inch thick. Place it into the rabbets where the glass will be put. It's important that the glass sits on the putty in all places on both sides, so if you need to do so, gently tap the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked then you can seal it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk prior pressing it into the sash. If not, you'll have to putty over the crack to create an impervious seal to keep water out. Once the putty is dry remove the oily film from the glass and allow it to dry completely before you paint. Paint after the putty is completely dry. It will not create a solid seal and could leak or discolor with time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a broken piece of glass. But the truth is that replacing one glass pane does not need to cost a fortune when you do it yourself. Even double glazing replacement window-paned windows can be replaced for a fraction of what it will cost a professional.

First, if you are working on a large-sized window, make sure it is securely fixed to the frame. Using the proper tools and techniques you can make this task relatively easy and quick.

When you're ready to start with the removal of the old window by prying out the glazing points of metal that are connected to it. These are basically small metal triangles which function as "nails" that hold the window in place in the wood frame. They are placed under a bead or glazing putty that hardens to a solid wedge that holds the wood frame firmly in position and hides the sharp edges.

After removing the old pane, clean the frame and the wood. Scrape away any old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points used to be. These should be sanded to bare wood to allow you to paint them the same color as the rest of the frame. After sanding the wood, apply a layer of flax oil. This will help to prolong the life of the frame.

Then, you need to measure the width of the upvc window handle replacement's opening. It is necessary to measure the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the entire opening, as well as the thickness. To get the exact size of the new pane subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass during seasons of change. You can take these measurements to a hardware store or home improvement shop and get 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.