How to replace window pane Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window is a nuisance. It could also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows and benefit from improved comfort, increased the value of resales and lower utility bills.

You can do it yourself for a less than what it would cost to employ an expert. It requires the right tools and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

If your single-pane windows are old, deteriorating or broken, replacing them with newer insulated or tempered glass can improve energy efficiency and reduce noise while maintaining the historical integrity of older homes. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can replace a window pane. In addition to a new pane, the following components are required such as latex glazing putty; Glazier's points; pliers and the use of a heat gun to warm the old putty, if needed. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to beginning. Working with broken glass can cause serious injuries.

Take away any broken glass pieces remaining. It is best to use pliers for this, but a flathead can work as well. Then, use a wooden chisel or putty knife to remove the remaining old putty from around the frame and sash. Be careful to not scratch the window sash. Take your time and work slowly. It is best to do this using a sturdy ladder rather than on the ground, and to place someone on the sash in order to help hold it in place.

Make sure that the window frame is ready to receive the new pane after you have removed the old putty. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction by subtracting 1/8 inch from the measurements of width and height. These measurements can be taken to a hardware or home center store to get a piece cut of stock glass to the right size. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself, if you have the appropriate tools.

After installing the new pane, run a small bead of caulking around the edges to seal it against weather. Then, you can install a glazier's pointing on each side of the frame to hold the pane in place. The points should not be so tight that they cause friction between the sash and the frame however they should not be too loose.

Before applying the putty to the surface, knead thoroughly until it becomes soft and free from lumps. Make it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip to the corner of the frame. Work from one corner to the next, making sure it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are tiny triangular pieces of steel that help secure the glass to the frame without causing damage to the delicate surface. Learning how to use these hidden little helpers is easy and can save you money on a professional installation or the cost of buying new glass.

After the old putty and the glazier's point are gone, thoroughly clean the frame with a knife to get rid of any remaining traces. Lightly sand the frame in the rabbet grooves if needed to smooth out rough areas. If you do sand the wood, ensure you protect it with painter's tack to avoid accidental damage.

Write down the exact dimensions of the frame. Take these measurements to a hardware store or home center and request that the new pane cut smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a secure fit and leave room for expansion and contraction.

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

Apply a thin layer of glazing compound over the edges of the new glass and in the rabbet grooves to seal and protect them. Allow it to dry and cure fully.

Install the new window sash once the glazing compound has dried. First, saturate the wood with a heavy coat of linseed oil. This will stop the new putty from drying out and cracking when it absorbs moisture. Use a brush to apply 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 smash the new sash or glazier's point into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown at you or a rock that is errant or a falling branch can cause a window pane to crack or break. The majority of windows can be replaced by putting in a new piece. The glass is held in place by a small metal clip, also known as 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 gloves and safety glasses while doing this work. If the window is attached to the frame, you'll need to employ a heat gun in order to soften the adhesive before cutting it loose.

If you are planning to replace the original sash, remove any pieces of molding that are used to secure the old pane. Then, sand the sash to ensure it's level and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is put back in place, you can apply a silicone caulk on the glass. This will ensure that it won't get soiled or discolor over time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash, where the glass is. If they're difficult to cut, place an instrument such as a heating gun over them to soften first. When using a heated tool, make sure to avoid damaging the sash or its railings.

Create a bed for your new pane after you have removed the old putty and glazing points. Roll a rope with glazing compound between your fingers, and make it around 1/2 inch thick. Then, push it into the rabbets in which the glass will rest. It is crucial that the glass sits on the putty on both sides So if you have to tap it, gently press the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack, you can cover it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk prior to pressing it into the sash. In other cases, you'll need to apply putty over the crack to create a tight seal and keep water out. After the putty has dried, wipe the oily film off the glass and allow it to dry completely before you paint. Paint after the putty has completely dried. It will not create a solid seal and could be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a damaged piece of glass. However, replacing a single glass pane doesn't need to cost a fortune when you do it yourself. In fact even windows with double glazed window replacement panes can be replaced at less than the cost of an expert.

If you're working with a large glass window first ensure it is securely attached to the frame. Using the proper tools and techniques, you can complete this task easily and fast.

When you are ready to start, remove the old window pane. Pry out the metal glazing points attached to it. These are basically small metal triangles that act as "nails" which hold the window in place within the frame of wood. They are buried beneath a layer of glazing putty that is then cured to form a solid, formed wedge which holds the window in place and conceals the points.

After you have the old pane removed Clean up the frame and wood. Scrape off any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves, where the glazing points were. These should be sanded down to bare wood, to allow you to paint them the same color as the rest of the frame. After sanding, apply a coat of flax oil on the bare wood to help extend its lifespan.

Next, measure the size of the window opening. It is necessary to measure the horizontal and vertical 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. Take these dimensions to the hardware or home improvement store 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 Replace Window Pane 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.