How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane can be an inconvenience. This can 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 bills.

You can do it yourself at a fraction of what it would cost of windows replacement to employ an expert. You'll only require the appropriate tools and a few minutes of your time.

Glass

If your single-pane windows are old, deteriorating or broken, replacing them with newer insulated or tempered glass can increase energy efficiency and decrease noise while also preserving the original character of older homes. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can replace windows with ease. In addition to a replacement window 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 required. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to starting. Working with broken glass can cause serious injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. It is best to use pliers for this however, a flathead may work as well. Use a wood chisel, or putty knives, to take away any old putty that remains around the frame and window sash. Be careful not to break the window sash. Be careful and slow. This can be done best on an elevated ladder, not on the ground. Also, you should have someone on the ground to ensure it is held steady.

Prepare the window frame to accommodate the new pane once you have removed the old putty. Take measurements of the width and height of the opening for the sash by subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). These measurements can be sent to a home center or hardware 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 appropriate tools.

After installing the new pane After installing the new pane, apply a small amount of caulking along the edge to make it weatherproof. Install a glazier's pointing on both sides of the frame. This will help secure the pane. The points shouldn't be too tight that they create friction between the frame and sash, but they should also not be loose.

Before applying the putty on the surface, gently knead it until it becomes soft and free of lumps. Cut it into pencil-sized pieces. Apply the first strip to the frame's corner. Work from corner to corner to ensure it's even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

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

After removing the old putty, glazier points and any residue Clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife. Lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves, if necessary, to smooth out rough areas. If you sand wood, protect it with painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Write down the exact dimensions of the frame. These measurements can be brought to a home center or hardware store, and the new pane will be cut a bit smaller. This will ensure a secure fit and leave room for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and press it down with your hands. Then use the point of your chisel or the back of the putty knife to tap in the glazier's facets, as shown in Figure 11. When you're done, they should be in line with the top edge of the pane, and the raised shoulders of the points should be just below the rabbet's lip. groove.

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

Install the new window sash after the glazing compound has dried. The first step is to coat the wood with a heavy coat of Linseed oil. This will keep the new putty from taking in the moisture and drying out and cracking over time. Apply the coat using a brush or the tip of your putty knife, then employ the chisel or back end of the knife to gently press the new sash and glazier's points into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches around the frame's perimeter.

Putty

A baseball that is thrown or a rock that is errant or a fallen branch can cause a window to crack or break. Luckily, most windows can be repaired by simply putting a new piece in the proper place. The glass is held in place with a small metal clip called the glazier's pointed and putty, often called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area with the rag, a pull-type scraper, or a wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves while doing this work. If the window is attached to the frame, you'll have to employ a heat gun in order to soften the adhesive prior to prying it free.

If you're planning to reinstall the original sash, take off the mold that holds the old pane. Sand the sash until it is flat and ready for new caulk. After the sash has been re-installed and sanded, apply a fresh caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure it will not leak or change color in time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets, or the grooves in the sash where the glass is. If they're hard to chisel out, try holding the hand tool, such as a heat gun over them to soften them up first. If you're using a heating gun, make sure not to scratch the railings or sash by holding the tool too close.

Once the old glaze points and putty are removed, make a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your fingers and make it about 1/2 inch thick. Press it into the rabbets, where the glass will be placed. It's important that the glass sits on the putty in all places on both sides If you have to do so, gently tap the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane has damaged, you can use the silicone caulk or glass glue based on solvents to cover the crack before pressing it in the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you will need to apply putty to keep water from getting in. After the putty has dried remove the oily film from the glass and let it dry completely before you paint. Paint before the putty is completely dry. It won't make a strong seal and could be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

If you've suffered a break in a window pane, you may be worried about the cost of replacing it. However, replacing one glass pane does not have to break the bank if you do it yourself. Even double glazing replacement windows-paned windows can be replaced at a fraction of the cost it will cost for a professional.

If you are working with a large glass window first ensure it is securely fixed to the frame. This task can be done relatively easy and quick with the appropriate tools and techniques.

If you're ready to begin with the removal of the old window pane by removing the glazing points of metal that are connected to it. These are tiny metal triangles that function as "nails" that hold the window in the frame. They are submerged beneath a layer of glazing putty, which hardens into a solid, moulded wedge which holds the window in place and conceals the edges.

After removal of the old pane clean the frame and the wood. Scrape away any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves, where the glazing points were. These should be sanded down to the point of being bare, so that you can paint them the same color as the rest the frame. After sanding, apply a coat of flax oil to the wood that is not sanded down to help extend its lifespan.

Next, measure the width of the window opening. You'll need to determine 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 allow for seasonal changes in the glass. Bring these measurements to a hardware or home improvement store and have a piece cut for you.

Now, it's time to bed the new window replacement 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.