How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane can be an inconvenience. This can be an opportunity to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones and enjoy benefits such as improved comfort, increased resale value and reduced utility bills.

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 right tools and a few minutes of your time.

Glass

Replace your single-paned windows using tempered or insulation glass to improve the efficiency of your energy, reduce noise, and preserve the original character of your older home. Most homeowners with basic hand tools can repair windows with ease. Alongside a replacement pane, the following items are needed such as latex glazing putty; pliers, glazier's points and an electric heater to warm the old putty if required. Wear safety glasses and gloves before you begin. Working with broken glass could result in serious injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. It is recommended to use pliers for this however, a flathead may work as well. Then, use a wooden chisel or putty knife to remove the remaining old putty around the frame and the sash. Be careful and slow, taking care not to damage the old window sash. This should be done on an elevated ladder, not on the ground. Also, have someone on the ground to ensure it is held steady.

Prepare the window frame to accept the new pane when you have removed the old glue. Measure the width and height of the opening for the sash by subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). Bring these measurements to an hardware store or home center, and find a piece glass cut to size. You can cut the glass yourself if you possess the appropriate tools.

After installing the glass, apply caulking to the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then, place a glazier's tip on the frame's opposite side to hold the pane in its place. The points should not be too tight that they create friction between the frame and sash however they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty, make sure to knead it until it is soft and free of lumps. Then you can roll it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip to the frame's corner. Work from corner to corner and ensure that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are tiny triangular pieces of metal which help to secure the glass into the window 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 taking off the old putty, glazier points and any residue Clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife. If necessary it is necessary to lightly sand the wood along the rabbet grooves to smooth out rough spots. If you do sand your wood, make sure to protect it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

Write down the dimensions of the frame. These measurements can be brought to the hardware or home center store, and the new frame will be cut slightly smaller. This will ensure that the pane fits comfortably and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane in the frame and push firmly with your hands. Then, use the tip of your chisel or back of the putty knife to pierce the glazier's points as shown in Figure 11. When you're done taping, they should be level with the top edge of the pane and the shoulders of the points should be below the lip of the rabbet groove.

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

Install the new window sash after the glazing compound has dried. First, you need to coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will prevent the new putty from sucking up the moisture and drying out and cracking over time. Apply this coat using a brush or the tip of your putty knife, then employ the chisel or back end of the putty knife to gently hammer in the new sash and glazier's points into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown or a rock thrown in error, or a tree falling can cause a broken or cracked window pane. The majority of windows can be repaired easily by installing a new piece. The glass is held in the position with a tiny metal clip, called the glazier's point, and putty. This compound is also known as glazing compound. Before installing a new pane, first take out the old one and clean up the area with a rag 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 attached to the frame, you'll have to employ a heat gun in order to soften the adhesive before cutting it loose.

If you are planning to Replace Window Pane your original sash, you must remove the molding that holds the old pane. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready to receive new caulk. After the sash has been reinstalled then, you can apply a silicone caulk over the glass. This will ensure that it doesn't leak over time or discolor.

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets, the grooves in the sash that the glass is. If they're hard to chisel out, try placing an instrument like a heat gun over them to soften them up first. If you're using a heat gun, be careful not to cause damage to the railings of the sash or the sash itself by using the tool too closely.

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 make it around 1/2 inch thick. Then, you can press it into the rabbets where the glass will sit. It's important that the glass rests against the putty on each side, so if you need to tap it, gently press the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can apply a silicone caulk or a glass glue that is based on solvents to fill in the crack prior to pressing it in the sash. If not, you'll have to putty over the crack to create a tight seal and keep water out. After the putty has dried, replace window pane clean the oily film off the glass using the help of a rag. Allow it to dry completely prior to painting. Paint after the putty is completely dry. It won't make a strong seal and could be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a broken pane of glass. The truth is, replacing a single pane of glass doesn't need to be costly even if you do it your own. Even a double-paned window can be replaced at a fraction of the cost it will cost for a professional.

If you're working with a large glass window first, ensure that it is securely fixed to the frame. This is relatively easy and quick with the proper tools and techniques.

Once you're ready to begin with the removal of the old window by removing the glazing points of metal that are attached to it. These are basically small metal triangles that function as "nails" that hold the window in within the frame of wood. They are submerged under a bead of glazing putty that is then cured to form a solid, replace Window pane moulded wedge which holds the window in place and hides the window seal replacement's points.

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

Then, take measurements of 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. 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 in times of seasonal change. You can bring these measurements to a hardware 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.