How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane could cause a lot of trouble. 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 reduced utility costs.

You can do it yourself for a only a fraction of the cost it would cost to hire an expert. You'll need only the proper tools and a few minutes of your time.

Glass

Replace your single-paned windows with tempered insulate glass to improve energy efficiency, cut down on noise, and maintain the historical integrity of your old home. The process of replacing a window pane is relatively simple and can be done by homeowners with basic hand tools. You'll also require an extra window pane, Replacement Double Glazed Windows glazier's tips pliers, and latex glazing putty. If necessary you may make use of a heat gun to warm the old putty. Wear safety glasses and gloves prior to starting. Working with broken glass could cause serious injuries.

Take out any broken glass pieces remaining. This can be done with the help of pliers though using a flathead screwdriver can also be used in the pinch. Then, use a wooden chisel or putty knife to remove the rest of the old putty from the frame and the sash. Be careful and slow and be careful not to damage the old window sash. This should be done on an elevated ladder, not on the ground. Also, have someone below the sash hold it steady.

Make sure that the window frame is ready to receive the new pane once you have removed the old glue. Find the width and the height of the opening in the sash by subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). Bring these measurements to a hardware store or home center and find a piece glass cut to size. You can also cut the glass by yourself if you have the appropriate tools.

After installing the new glass, apply a small amount of caulking around the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then, you can install a glazier's pointing on each side of the frame to hold the pane in its place. The points shouldn't be too tight that they cause friction between the sash and frame but they should not be too loose.

Before applying the putty to the surface, gently knead it until it is soft and free of lumps. Make it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be placed in the corner of the frame, working from one corner to the next so that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are the tiny triangular pieces of steel that allow glass to be secured into a window frame without scratching or damaging the fragile surface. It's easy to learn how to use this nefarious tool, and you'll save money on the expense of an expert installation.

After the old putty and glazier's points are removed, thoroughly clean the frame with a knife to get rid of any remaining residue. Lightly sand the frame in the rabbet grooves if needed to smooth out rough areas. If you do sand the wood, ensure you protect it by using painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Note down the exact dimensions of the frame. Take these measurements to a hardware store or a home center and have the new pane cut smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a tight fit and leave room for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane in the frame and press it down with your hands. 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 be flush against the top edge of the pane and the shoulders should be just below that lip.

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

When the glazing compound is dry and the glazing compound is dry, you can install the new window sash. First, coat the wood with a heavy coat of linseed oil. This will keep the new putty from taking up the moisture and deteriorating and cracking over time. Apply the coat using a brush or the edge of your putty knife, then employ the chisel or back end from the putty knife to gently hammer in the new sash and glazier's tips into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches along the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A hurled baseball or an unintentional rock, or a falling branch can cause a window to crack or break. Fortunately, the majority of windows can be easily replaced by simply putting a brand new piece of glass in its the proper place. The glass is held in position by a small metal clip, referred to as a glazier's point and putty. This compound is also known as glazing compound. Before installing a replacement double glazed windows (www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk) pane, first get rid of the old one and clean up the area using a rag and an abrasive scraper that is a pull type or the wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves while you do this work. If the window handles replacement is attached to the frame, you'll need to make use of a heat gun to soften the adhesive before cutting it loose.

If you are planning to replace the original sash, take off the mold that holds the old pane. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is installed, apply a new silicone caulk to the glass to ensure that it doesn't swell or fade in time.

Remove the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves in the sash, where the glass is. If they're difficult to cut, place a hand tool such as a heatgun over them to allow them to soften before. If you're using a heating gun, be careful not to cause damage to the railings or sash by using the tool too tightly.

Prepare the bed for your new pane by removing the old glaze and putty. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, shaping it to be about 1/2-inch thick. Press it into the rabbets where the glass will be placed. The glass should rest against the putty on both sides. If necessary you want to tap your glass lightly into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can use the silicone caulk or glass glue made from solvents to seal the crack before pressing it in the sash. In other cases, you'll need to apply putty over the crack to form an airtight seal and keep water out. After the putty is dry, clean the oily film off the glass window replacement with a rag and allow it to dry completely prior to painting. Paint after the putty is completely dry. It won't form a good seal and could discolor or leak over time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a broken pane of glass. It's true that replacing a single pane of glass doesn't have to be expensive if you do it on your own. In fact, even a double-pane window can be replaced for only a fraction of the cost of an expert.

If you are working with a large glass window first, ensure that it is securely attached to the frame. Using the proper tools and techniques to accomplish this task fairly easily and quick.

Once you're ready to begin taking off the old window by prying out the metal glazing points that are connected to it. These are essentially small metal triangles that function as "nails" which hold the window in place in the wood frame. They are submerged beneath a layer of glazing putty that transforms into a solid moulded wedge which holds the window in place and hides the edges.

After you have the old pane taken away clean the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape off any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves, where the glazing points used to be. These should be sanded to the point of being bare, to allow you to paint them the same color as the rest of the frame. After sanding, apply a layer of flax oil on the bare wood to extend the life of the frame.

Next, measure the dimensions of the window's 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 also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass during seasons of change. Bring these measurements to the hardware or home improvement store and Replacement Double Glazed Windows 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.