How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window sash replacement can be a nuisance. This could be an opportunity to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones to enjoy advantages like improved comfort, increased resale values and reduced utility costs.

It's a project you can tackle yourself at a fraction of the cost of hiring an expert. You'll only require the appropriate tools and a few hours of your time.

Glass

If your single pane windows are old broken, deteriorating or damaged, replacing them with newer insulated or tempered glass can increase energy efficiency and reduce noise while maintaining the historic integrity of older homes. The majority of homeowners with basic hand tools can replace a window pane. You will also need an additional window pane, glazier's suggestions, pliers, and latex glazing putty. If needed, you can make use of a heat gun to warm the old putty. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to beginning. 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 effective in a pinch. Utilize a wood chisel or putty knives to remove any old putty that remains around the frame and the window sash. Be careful and slow and be careful not to break the existing window sash. This should be done on a ladder, not the ground. Also, you should have someone below the sash keep it in place.

Prepare the window frame to accept the new pane when you have removed the old glue. Take measurements of the width and height of the sash opening by subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). These measurements can be taken to a hardware or home center store to have a piece cut of glass that is in stock to the correct size. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself if have the right tools.

After installing the glass After installing the glass, apply some caulking on the edges. This will make the glass weatherproof. Install a glazier's pointing on both sides of the frame. This will ensure the pane. The points should not be so tight that they cause friction between the sash and frame, but they also shouldn't be too loose.

Before applying the putty on the surface, gently knead it until it is soft and free of lumps. Then make it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip to the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to the next so that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's facets are tiny triangular pieces of steel which help to secure glass into the frame of a window without scratching or damaging the delicate surface. It's simple to learn how to use this secret tool, and you'll be able to save money on the expense of an installation by a professional.

After the old putty and the glazier's points have been removed, thoroughly clean the frame with a utility knife to get rid of any remaining residue. If needed it is necessary to lightly sand the wood along grooves of the rabbets to smooth rough areas. If you decide to sand the wood, make sure to protect it by using painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Take the dimensions of the frame and record precise measurements. These dimensions can be taken to a home center or hardware store, Repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk and the new pane will be cut slightly smaller. This will ensure that the pane fits comfortably and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new window in the frame and push it in place using your hand. Then use the point of your chisel or back end of the putty knife to tap in the glazier's facets, as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's point should be flush against the top edge of your pane and the shoulders raised should be just beneath that lip.

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

When the glazing compound is dry it's time to put in the new window sash. The first step is to coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will prevent the new putty from taking in the moisture and deteriorating and cracking over time. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or the point of the blade. Then, use the chisel on the back of the putty tool or the back of the handle to gently smash the new sash or glazier's tip into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.

Putty

A hurled baseball or a rock that is errant or a fallen branch can cause a window pane to crack or break. Most windows can be repaired easily by simply putting in a fresh piece. The glass is held into position by a small metal clip, called a 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 wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves when working. If the window is secured to the frame, you'll need use a heat gun to soften the adhesive prior to prying it free.

If you are planning to replace 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. Once the sash is installed then, you can apply a silicone caulk to the glass. This will ensure that it won't leak over time or discolor.

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets and the grooves in the sash, where the glass sits. If they're difficult to work out, try placing the hand tool, such as a heat gun over them to soften them up first. If you're using a heat gun, be cautious not to cause damage to the sash or its railings by using the tool too closely.

After the old glaze points and putty have been removed make a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your fingers and make it around 1/2 inch thick. Then, you can press it into the rabbets in which the glass will rest. The glass should rest against the putty on both sides. If necessary gently tap your glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack, you can cover it with a solvent-based glass glue or silicone caulk prior to pressing it into the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you will require putty to keep water out. After the putty is dry, clean the oily film off the glass with the help of a rag. Allow it to completely dry before painting. Paint after the putty has completely dried. It will not create a solid seal and could leak or xn--vk1b87o4zefwd.xn--3e0b707e discolor with time.

Paint

If you've experienced a broken window pane, you might be worried about the cost of a new one. But the truth is that replacing one glass pane does not need to cost a fortune when you do it yourself. In fact even windows with double panes can be replaced at a fraction of the cost of a professional.

If you're working with large glass windows first, ensure that it is securely attached to the frame. This can be made relatively simple and quick with the proper tools and techniques.

If you're ready to begin, begin by removing the old window by removing the glazing points of metal that are connected to it. These are small metal triangles which act as "nails" that hold the window within the frame. They are buried under a bead of glazing putty that is then cured to form a solid, molded wedge which holds the window in place and hides the edges.

After removing the old pane, clean the frame and wood. Scrape away any old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points used to be. These should be sanded to bare wood, so that you can paint them the same shade as the rest of the frame. After sanding the wood then apply a layer of flax oil. This will help prolong the life of the frame.

Then, you need to measure the width of the window's opening. It is necessary to take vertical and horizontal measurements of the entire opening as well as the thickness of the old pane. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure that you get the exact measurement for the new pane. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass during seasonal changes. Take these dimensions to your local 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.