How to Replace Window Pane Window Panes

A cracked window pane is an issue. It could be a chance to upgrade to energy-efficient windows or insulated ones to enjoy benefits like increased comfort, higher resale value and lower utility costs.

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

Glass

If your single-pane windows are outdated damaged, cracked or deteriorating replacing them with more modern insulated or tempered glass can improve energy efficiency and reduce noise while maintaining the original character of older homes. The process of replacing a window pane is relatively easy and can be completed by homeowners with basic hand tools. You will also require an additional window pane, glazier's suggestions, pliers, and latex glaze putty. If necessary you can 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.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. It is best to use pliers however a flathead could work as well. Make use of a wood chisel or putty knives, to take away any old putty that remains around the frame and window sash. Be careful not to break the window sash. Take your time and work slowly. This is best done on a ladder, replace Window pane not the ground. Also, ensure that someone lower to hold it steady.

After you have removed all the old putty, it is time to prepare the replace window pane frame for the new pane. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction and contraction, subtract 1/8 inch from the measurements of the width and height. Bring these measurements to the nearest hardware store or home center, and get a piece of stock glass cut to size. You can also cut the glass yourself if you have the tools you need.

After putting the new pane in place After installing the new pane, apply a small amount of caulking around the edges to ensure it is weatherproof. Then, you can install a glazier's pointing on each side of the frame to secure the pane into its place. The points shouldn't be so tight as to cause friction between the frame and sash but they shouldn't be loose.

Before applying the putty, work it in a gentle manner until it's soft and free of lumps. Cut it into pencil-sized pieces. The first strip should be placed to the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to another to ensure it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

The glazier’s points are small triangular metal pieces that allow glass to be secured to the frame without causing any damage to the fragile surface. Learning how to use these little helpers is easy and can save you money on professional installation or the cost of new glass.

After taking off the old putty, glazier points, and any other remnants Clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife. Lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves, if necessary, to smooth out rough areas. If you decide to sand the wood, ensure you protect it by using painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Note down the dimensions of the frame. These measurements can be taken to a home center or hardware store, and the new pane will be cut to a smaller size. This will ensure that the pane fits snugly and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new window in the frame and press it in place using your hand. Then, you can use the point of your chisel or back end of the putty knife to make a tap on 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. the raised shoulders of the points should be just below the rabbet's lip. groove.

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

Install the new window sash after 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 sucking in the moisture and deteriorating 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 knife to gently hammer the new sash and glazier's point into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown or a rock thrown in error, or a fallen tree can cause a broken or cracked window sash replacement. The majority of windows can be replaced easily by simply putting in a fresh piece. The glass is held into place by a small metal clip, referred to as the glazier's point, and putty. This compound is also called glazing compound. Before installing a new pane, first take out the old one and clean up the area with the help of a rag, a pull-type paint scraper or an abrasive wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while working. You'll need a heat gun if the window is glued into the frame.

If you are planning to install your original sash, remove the mold that holds the old pane. Sand the sash until it is flat and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is re-installed and sanded, apply a fresh silicone caulk to the glass to ensure that it will not leak or change color over 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 like a heat gun over them to soften first. When using a heat tool, be careful to avoid damaging the sash and its railings.

Once the old points of glazing and putty have been removed prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope with glazing compound between your fingers, and then make it about 1/2 inch thick. Then, push it into the rabbets where the glass will sit. It's important 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 is cracked, you can apply a silicone caulk or glass glue based on solvents to seal the crack prior to pressing it into the sash. Otherwise, you'll need to putty over the crack to create an airtight seal and keep water out. After the putty has dried, wipe the oily film off of the glass and let it dry completely before painting. Paint before the putty has dried completely. It will not make a strong seal and could discolor or leak over time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a broken pane of glass. But the truth is that replacing one glass pane does not have to break the bank If you can do it yourself. In fact, even a double-pane window can be replaced at only a fraction of the cost of an expert.

First, if you're working on a large-sized window, make sure that it is securely fixed to the frame. This is relatively easy and quick with the right tools and techniques.

Once you're ready to begin, begin by removing the old window pane by removing the metal glazing points that are attached to it. These are essentially small metal triangles that act as "nails" that hold the window in in the wood frame. They are placed under a bead or glazing glue that sets to form an unbreakable wedge that holds the frame firmly in position and hides the sharp edges.

After removing the old pane, clean the frame and the wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used and sand down the rabbet grooves that the glazing points were. Sand them down to clean wood surfaces, so that you can paint the frames the same color. After sanding the wood, apply a layer of flax oil. This will help to prolong the life of the frame.

The next step is to measure the dimensions of the window's opening. You'll need to determine 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 have the exact size for the new pane. 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.