How to replace window handle Window Panes

A cracked window pane can be a source of frustration. It can also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows to benefit from more comfort, higher resale value and reduced utility costs.

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

Glass

If your single-pane windows are outdated, deteriorating or broken, replacing them with newer glass that is tempered or insulated can improve energy efficiency and reduce noise while also preserving the historic integrity of older homes. The procedure of replacing the window pane is easy and can be accomplished by homeowners with basic hand tools. In addition to a new pane, handle the following tools are needed such as latex glazing putty; pliers, glazier's points and the use of a heat gun to warm the old putty, if necessary. Wear safety glasses and gloves prior to beginning. Working with broken glass can cause serious injuries.

Take away any broken glass pieces that remain. It is best to use pliers however a flathead could be used equally. Then, use a wood chisel, or putty knife, to remove the remaining old putty around the frame and the sash. Work slowly and carefully making sure 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 keep it in place.

Make sure that the window frame is ready to receive the new pane when you have removed the old putty. 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). Take these measurements to an hardware store or home center, and find a piece glass cut to size. You can also cut the glass yourself, if you have 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 secure the pane. The points shouldn't be so tight that they cause friction between the sash and the frame but they shouldn't be too loose.

Before applying the putty to the surface, gently knead it until it is smooth and free of lumps. Then you can roll it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be glued to the frame's corner. Work from corner to corner to ensure it's even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

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

Once the old putty and glazier's points are removed and the frame is thoroughly cleaned with a utility knife to remove any remaining traces. Lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves to smooth rough areas. If you decide to sand the wood, make sure to protect it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

Measure the empty frame's dimensions and write down accurate measurements. Take these dimensions to a hardware store or a home center and have the new pane cut slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure that the pane fits snugly and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and press it into the frame using your hand. Use the point of the chisel, or the edge of the putty blade to smudge the glazier's points, as illustrated in Figure 11. After you're done, the points should be flush 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 layer of glazing compound on the rabbet grooves and the edges of the new glass. This will seal and protect the edges. Allow it to dry completely and cure.

Install the new window sash when the glazing compound has dried. The first step is to coat the wood with a heavy coat of linseed oil. This will stop the new putty from drying out or cracking when it absorbs moisture. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or the point of the blade. Then use the chisel that is on the back of the putty tool or the back of the putty handle to gently hit the new sash, or glazier's point into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process every 10 inches around the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A baseball hit or a rock thrown by error, or a tree falling could result in a broken or cracked window pane. The majority of windows can be replaced easily by simply putting in a fresh piece. The glass is held into position by a small metal clip, also known as a glazier's point and putty. This compound is also referred to as glazing compound. Before installing a replacement pane, first remove the old one and clean the area using the help of a rag, a pull-type paint scraper or a wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves when working. You'll need a heating gun in the event that the window is glued into the frame.

If you are planning to reinstall the original sash, take off the molding that supports 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 it won't leak or discolor in time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets, the grooves in the sash, where the glass is. If they are hard to cut, handle place an instrument like a heat gun over them to allow them to soften before. When using a heated tool, be sure to avoid damaging the sash's railings and sash.

Make the bed for your new pane after removing the old glaze points and putty. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, shaping it to be around 1/2-inch thick. Then, push it into the rabbets, where the glass will be. It is crucial that the glass is positioned against the putty on both sides If you have to tap it, gently press the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane has damaged, you can use a silicone caulk or a glass glue that is based on solvents to seal the crack before pressing it into the sash. In other cases, you'll need to putty over the crack to create an impervious seal to keep water out. Once the putty is dry clean the oily film from the glass and allow it to dry completely before painting. If you paint before the putty has completely dry, it won't create a solid seal and could leak or discolor in time.

Paint

If you've suffered a break in a window pane, then you may be worried about the cost of replacing it. The truth is, replacing a single piece of glass doesn't have to be costly when you do it on your own. Even a double-paned window could be replaced at a fraction of the cost it costs an expert.

If you are working with large glass windows, first make sure it is securely fixed to the frame. This is relatively easy and quick with the right tools and techniques.

When you are ready to start taking down the old window pane. Remove the metal glazing points attached to it. These are tiny metal triangles that act as "nails" to hold the window in place. They are placed under a bead of glazing putty that is then cured to form a solid, formed wedge that secures the window in place and hides the edges.

Once you have the old pane removed clean the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used and sand down the rabbet grooves that the glazing points were placed. Sand them down to bare wooden surfaces, allowing you to paint the frames the same shade. After sanding the wood then apply a layer of flax oil. This will help extend its life.

Next, measure the width of the window opening. It is necessary to measure the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the entire opening as well as the thickness. To determine the exact dimensions 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. Take these dimensions to the hardware or home improvement store and 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 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.