How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane can be a nuisance. It can also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows to enjoy benefits such as more comfort, higher resale value and reduced utility bills.

It's a project you can tackle yourself at a fraction of the cost of hiring an expert. You'll need only 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 more modern insulated or tempered glass can increase energy efficiency and decrease noise while also preserving the historical integrity of older homes. The process of replacing a window pane is relatively easy and can be accomplished by homeowners with basic hand tools. In addition to a new pane, the following items are needed for the replacement double glazed windows process: replace window Pane latex glazing putty glazier's points; pliers; and the use of a heat gun to warm the old putty, if necessary. Before starting, wear gloves and safety glasses as working with broken glass may cause injuries.

Take away any broken glass pieces that remain. This can be done with a pair of pliers, but flathead screwdrivers can be used in the pinch. Use a wood chisel, or putty knives to remove any old putty remaining around the frame and the window sash. Be careful not to break the window sash. Take your time and work slowly. This can be done best on a ladder, not on the ground. Also, ensure that someone on the ground to ensure it is held steady.

Make sure that the window frame is ready to accept the new pane once you have removed the old putty. Measure the width and height of the opening for the sash and subtract 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 cut a piece of stock glass to the right size. You can also cut the glass yourself, if you have the tools you need.

After installing the new pane, run a small bead of caulking around the edges to ensure it is weatherproof. Install a glazier’s point on both sides of the frame. This will help secure the pane. The points shouldn't be so tight that they create friction between the frame and sash but they should not be too loose.

Before applying the putty knead it thoroughly until it is soft and free of lumps. Roll it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be glued to the corner of the frame. Work from corner to corner, making sure it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's facets are small triangular pieces of metal which help to secure glass into a window frame without scratching or damaging the delicate surface. Learning how to use these hidden tiny pieces of help is simple and can save you money on professional installation or the cost of purchasing new glass.

After getting rid of the old putty glazier points as well as any remaining residue, clean the frame thoroughly using an utility knife. Lightly sand the wood into the rabbet grooves, if necessary, to smooth rough areas. If you decide to sand wood, cover it with painter's tape to protect it from damage caused by accidental sanding.

Note down the dimensions of the frame. Take these measurements to a hardware store or 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 with your hand. Utilize the chisel's point or the edge of the putty blade to smudge the glazier's points, as shown in Figure 11. The glazier's points should be flush against the top edge of your pane, and the shoulders should be just below the lip.

Apply a thin bead of glazing compound over the edges of the glass that has been made and into the rabbet grooves, to seal and protect them. Allow this to dry and cure fully.

Once the glazing compound has dried it's time to put in the new window sash. The first step is to coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will prevent the new putty from sucking up moisture and drying out and cracking with time. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or the tip of the putty blade. Then use the chisel on the back of the tool or the back of the handle to gently hammer the new sash or glazier's point into rabbet grooves. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches around the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A baseball hit or a rock thrown in error, or a fallen tree can result in a cracked or cracked window. Fortunately, windows can be repaired by simply putting a brand new piece in place. The glass is held into the position with a tiny metal clip, referred to as a glazier’s point and putty. This compound is also referred to as glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area with an abrasive, pull-type scraper or wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while working. You'll need a heat gun when the window is fixed to the frame.

If you are planning to replace Window pane the original sash, remove any pieces of molding that hold the old pane in place. Then you can sand the sash down to ensure it's smooth 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 doesn't swell or fade in time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets, the grooves in the sash, where the glass sits. If they're hard to chisel out, you can try holding a hand tool like a heat gun over them to soften them up first. When using a heated tool, make sure to avoid damaging the sash or its railings.

Once the old glaze points and putty have been removed prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope made of glazing compound between your fingers and make it around 1/2 inch thick. Place it into the rabbets, where the glass will be placed. It's important that the glass sits on the putty on both sides, so if you need to tap it, gently press the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack you can fill it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk before pressing it into the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you will require putty to keep the water out. After the putty has dried, wipe the oily film off of the glass and let it dry completely before you paint. Paint before the putty is completely dry. It will not make a strong seal and may be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a damaged piece of glass. But the truth is that replacing a single glass pane doesn't require a huge amount of money if you do it yourself. In fact, even a double-pane window can be replaced for only a fraction of the cost of an expert.

First, if you are working on a large window, make sure it is securely attached to the frame. This task is relatively easy and quick with the appropriate tools and techniques.

When you are ready to begin taking down the old window pane. Take out the metal glazing points that are attached to it. These are tiny metal triangles that function as "nails" that hold the window in place. They are buried beneath a bead or glazing glue which hardens into an unbreakable wedge that holds the frame in place and hides the sharp edges.

Once you have the old pane removed, clean up the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape away any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were. Sand them to bare wooden surfaces, allowing you to paint the frames the same color. After the sanding process, apply a coat of flax oil on the bare wood to prolong its life.

The next step is to measure the dimensions of the window opening. You'll need to take horizontal and vertical 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 in times of seasonal changes. You can bring these measurements to a hardware or home improvement shop and get 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, Replace window Pane 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.