How to Replace window glass replacement Panes

A cracked window pane can cause a lot of trouble. It can also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows, and reap benefits like more comfort, higher resale value and reduced utility bills.

You can do it yourself at a fraction of what it would cost to hire an expert. You only need the appropriate tools and a few minutes of your time.

Glass

Replace your old single-paned windows using tempered or insulated glass to increase energy efficiency, cut down on noise, and protect the historical integrity of your older home. Most homeowners with basic hand tools can repair a window pane. Alongside a replacement windows pane, the following tools are needed: latex glazing putty; Glazier's points; pliers and an electric heater to warm the old putty if required. Before starting, wear gloves and safety goggles as working with broken glass may cause injuries.

Take away any broken glass pieces that remain. This is best accomplished with pliers, but a flathead screwdriver can also work in the pinch. Then, use a wooden chisel or putty knife take the remainder of the old putty from around the frame and sash. Be careful to not damage the window sash. Work slowly and carefully. It is recommended to do this on a stable ladder rather than on the ground and Replace Window Pane have someone standing below the sash to help keep it in place.

Once you have removed all the old putty, prepare the window frame to fit the new pane. Take measurements of the width and height of the opening in the sash, 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 have a piece of stock glass cut to size. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself if you have the appropriate tools.

After installing the new glass Apply caulking to the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then install a glazier's point on the frame's opposite side to secure the pane into the right place. The points should not be too tight that they cause friction between the frame and the sash, but they should also not be loose.

Before applying the putty to the surface, gently knead it until it is soft and free of lumps. Cut it into pencil-sized pieces. Place the first strip to the corner of the frame, working from one corner to another to ensure it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are tiny triangular metal pieces which help to secure the glass to the frame without damaging the delicate surface. Knowing how to use these tiny pieces of help is simple and can save you money on a professional installation or the cost of buying new glass.

After getting rid of the old putty glazier points, and any other leftovers clean the frame thoroughly with an utility knife. Lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves if needed to smooth rough areas. If you do sand your wood, make sure to protect it by using painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Note down the dimensions of the frame. These dimensions can be taken to an hardware or home centers store, and the new pane will be cut to a smaller size. This will ensure a snug fit and leave room for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and push it in using your hands. Then, use the tip of your chisel or the back end of the putty knife to make a tap on the glazier's points as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's point should be in line with the top edge of the pane and the shoulders should be just below that lip.

Apply a thin layer glazing compound on the rabbet grooves as well as the edges of new glass. This will seal and protect the edges. Allow this to dry and cure fully.

Install the new window sash when 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 drying out or cracking due to the moisture it absorbs. Use a brush to apply this coat, or the point of the putty blade. Then use the chisel that is on the back of the putty tool or the back of the handle to gently hammer the new sash or glazier's point into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.

Putty

A baseball hit or a rock thrown by error, or a fallen tree could result in a broken or cracked window. Fortunately, windows can be repaired by simply putting a brand new piece of glass in its place. The glass is held in position by a small metal clip, called the glazier's point, and putty. This compound is also known as glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area using a rag, a pull-type scraper, or a wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while working. If the window is secured to the frame, you'll need use a heat gun to soften the adhesive prior to cutting it loose.

If you are planning to Replace Window Pane the original sash, remove any pieces of molding that hold the old pane in place. Sand the sash until it is flat and ready for new caulk. After the sash has been reinstalled it is possible to apply a silicone caulk over the glass. This will ensure that it won't leak over time or discolor.

Remove the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash, where the glass is located. If they are hard to cut, place an instrument such as a heatgun over them for a few minutes to soften them. When using a heating tool, be careful to not damage the sash and its railings.

Once the old glaze 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 about 1/2 inch thick. Place it into the rabbets, where the glass will be put. It is essential that the glass rests against the putty in all places on each side So if you have to do so, gently tap the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can use a silicone caulk or glass glue made from solvents to fill in the crack before pressing it into the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you will require putty to keep water out. After the putty has dried and the film is oily, wipe it off the glass using a rag and allow it to completely dry before painting. If you paint before the putty is fully dry, it won't create a strong seal and may discolor or leak in time.

Paint

If you've experienced a broken window pane, then you may be concerned about the expense of replacing it. In reality, replacing a single piece of glass doesn't have to be expensive even if you do it your own. In fact windows with double panes can be replaced for only a fraction of the cost of a professional.

First, if you are working on a large-sized window, ensure that it is securely fastened to the frame. This can be made relatively simple and fast using the appropriate tools and techniques.

When you are ready to begin, remove the old window pane. Take out the metal glazing points that are attached to it. These are tiny metal triangles which act as "nails" that hold the window in place. They are placed under a bead of glazing putty, which hardens into a solid, molded 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 old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were. Sand them down to bare wooden surfaces, allowing you to paint the frames with the same shade. After sanding the wood then apply a layer of flax oil. This will help to extend its life.

The next step is to determine the size of the window's opening. You will need to measure the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the entire opening as well as the thickness. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure you have the exact size for the new pane. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass in times of seasonal changes. Bring these measurements to a hardware or home improvement store, and they will 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.