How to replace window pane Window Panes

A damaged window pane can be an inconvenience. It could also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows to reap benefits like greater comfort, a higher potential for resales, and less costs.

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

Glass

If your single pane windows are old, deteriorating or broken replacing them with more modern glass that is tempered or insulated can increase energy efficiency and decrease noise while also preserving the original character of older homes. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can repair a window pane. You will also require an extra window pane, glazier's tips, pliers, and latex glaze putty. If needed you can use a heating gun to warm the old putty. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to starting. Working with broken glass could cause serious injuries.

Take out any broken glass pieces remaining. It is best to use pliers, but a flathead can work as well. Make use of a wood chisel or putty knives to remove 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 can be done best on an elevated ladder, not on the ground. Also, you should have someone lower to hold it steady.

After you have removed all the old putty, it is time to prepare the window frame to accommodate the new pane. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction by subtracting 1/8 inch from the measurements of width and height. These measurements can be sent to a hardware or home center store to have an item cut from stock glass to the right size. You can also cut the glass by yourself if you possess the right tools.

After putting in the new glass After installing the glass, apply some caulking to the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then install a glazier's point on each side of the frame to secure the pane into place. The points shouldn't be so tight that they create friction between the sash and the frame but they should not be too loose.

Before putting the putty on, work it in a gentle manner until it is smooth and free of lumps. Then make it into pencil-sized strips. Place the first strip in the corner of the frame, working from one corner to the other so that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are the small triangular pieces of metal that help secure glass into a window frame without scratching or damaging the delicate surface. It's easy to learn how to use this hidden tool and you can save money on the expense of an installation by a professional.

After the old putty and the glazier's point are gone, thoroughly clean the frame using a utility knife to get rid of any remaining residue. Lightly sand the wood into the rabbet grooves if needed to smooth rough areas. If you sand wood, protect it with painter’s tape to protect it from damage caused by accidental sanding.

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

Place the new pane in the frame and press it in place with your hand. Use the chisel's point or the back of the putty blade to smudge the glaziers' points as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's point should be in line with the top edge of your pane and the raised shoulders should be just below the lip.

Apply a thin bead of glazing compound on the edges of the new glass and in the rabbet grooves to seal and Replace Window pane protect them. Allow it to dry and cure completely.

Install the new window sash once the glazing compound has dried. First, coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will keep the new putty from soaking up the moisture and deteriorating and cracking with time. Apply this coat with a brush or the tip of your putty knife, and then employ the chisel or back end of the knife to gently hammer the new sash and glazier's tips into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball hit, a rock thrown in error or a branch falling can result in a cracked or cracked window. Most windows can be replaced easily by installing a new piece. The glass is held in place using a small metal clip called the glazier's pointed and putty, also called glazing compound. Before installing a replacement pane, first get rid of the old one and clean up the area with a rag and the pull-type paint scraper or a wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves when you work. You'll need a heat gun if the window sash replacement is glued into the frame.

If you are planning to replace your original sash, you must remove the mold that holds the old pane. Then you can sand the sash down to make sure it's flat and ready for a new caulk. After the sash has been re-installed and sanded, apply a fresh caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure that it won't leak or discolor in time.

Remove the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves in the sash where the glass is located. If they're difficult to work out, try holding the hand tool, such as a heat gun over them to soften them first. When using a heating tool, make sure to avoid damaging the sash and its railings.

Once the old glazing points and putty are removed, prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, and form it into a 1/2-inch thick. Place it into the rabbets where the glass will be placed. The glass must rest against the putty on both sides. If necessary, lightly tap your glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can use a silicone caulk or glass glue made from solvents to seal the crack prior to pressing it in the sash. If not, you'll have to putty over the crack to form an airtight seal and keep water out. After the putty has dried clean the oily film off the glass and let it dry completely before you paint. Paint after the putty is completely dry. It won't create a solid seal and may leak or discolor with time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a broken piece 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 windows with double panes can be replaced for a fraction of the cost of a professional.

If you are working on a large window, ensure that it is securely fixed to the frame. This task is relatively easy and quick with the right tools and techniques.

When you're ready to start taking off the old window pane by prying out the metal glazing points that are attached to it. These are small metal triangles that function as "nails" to hold the window within the frame. They are placed under a bead or glazing glue which hardens into an unbreakable wedge that holds the frame securely in place and hides the sharp edges.

After removal of the old pane clean the frame and wood. Scrape off any old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves that the glazing points were. Sand them down to clean wooden surfaces, allowing you to paint the frames the same shade. After sanding, apply a layer of flax oil to the wood's surface to prolong its life.

The next step is to measure the dimensions of the window opening. You will need to take vertical and horizontal measurements of the entire opening as well as the thickness of the old pane. To determine 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 during seasons of changes. You can bring these measurements to a hardware or home improvement shop and have 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.