How to Replace Window Panes

A cracked window pane is an inconvenience. This can be an opportunity to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones to enjoy benefits such as improved comfort, increased resale value and reduced utility costs.

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

Glass

Replace Window Pane your old single-paned windows with tempered or insulated glass to increase the efficiency of your energy, reduce noise, and preserve the historic integrity of your older home. The procedure of replacing windows is simple and can be done by anyone with basic hand tools. You will also need a replacement handles for upvc windows window pane, glazier's tips, pliers, and latex glaze putty. If needed you can use a heatgun to warm the old putty. Wear safety glasses and gloves prior to beginning. Working with broken glass can cause serious injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. This is best accomplished with a pair of pliers, though using flathead screwdrivers can work in the pinch. Make use of 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. Be careful and slow. This is best done on a ladder, not on the ground. Also, have someone below the sash keep it in place.

Make sure the window frame is ready to accept the new pane when you have removed the old putty. Measure the width and height of the sash opening, subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). Bring these measurements to a hardware store or home center, and get a piece of stock glass cut to size. You can also cut the glass yourself, if you have 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 ensure the pane. The points should not be so tight that they cause friction between the sash and frame but they should not be too loose.

Before applying the putty make sure to knead it until it is smooth and free of lumps. Roll it into pencil-sized strips. Place the first strip to the corner of the frame, working from one corner to the next so that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier’s points are small triangular metal pieces that allow glass to be secured to the frame without damaging the delicate surface. Knowing how to use these tiny pieces of help is simple and could save you money on professional installation or the cost of new glass.

Once the old putty and the glazier's point are gone Clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife to get rid of any remaining traces. If needed you can lightly sand the wood along the rabbet grooves to smooth out rough areas. If you sand wood, protect it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

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

Place the new pane in the frame and press it into the frame with your hand. Then, you can use the point of your chisel, or the back end of the putty knife to pierce the glazier's points as shown in Figure 11. When you're done, they should be flush with the top edge of the pane, and the raised shoulders of the points should be below the rabbet's rim groove.

Apply a thin layer of glazing compound on the rabbet grooves and edges of the glass. This will seal and protect the edges. Allow this to dry and cure completely.

After the glazing compound dries, you're ready to install the new window sash. First, you need to coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will stop the new putty from soaking in the moisture and drying out and cracking over time. Use a brush to apply this coat, or the tip of the blade. Then use the chisel that is 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 along the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A hurled baseball or a rock that is errant or falling branch could cause a window pane to break or crack. Most windows can be replaced by simply putting in a fresh piece. The glass is held in the position with a tiny metal clip, also known as the glazier's point, and putty. This compound is also known as glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area using the rag, a pull-type scraper, or a wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while doing this work. If the window is secured to the frame, you'll need employ a heat gun in order to soften the adhesive before prying it free.

If you're planning to install the original sash, gently remove the molding pieces that are used to secure the old pane. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready to receive new caulk. Once the sash is installed, apply a new caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure that it will not leak or change color over time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets and the grooves in the sash that the glass sits. If they're difficult to cut out, you can try holding the hand tool, such as a heat gun to soften them before you do. When using a heating tool, be sure to avoid damaging the sash or its railings.

Create the bed for your new pane after you have removed the old putty and glazing points. Roll a rope made of glazing compound between your fingers and make it about 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 has a crack, you can cover it with a solvent-based glass glue or silicone caulk prior to pressing it into the sash. Otherwise, you'll need to apply putty on the crack to form an airtight seal and keep water out. When the putty dries and the film is oily, wipe it off the glass with an abrasive and allow it to dry completely prior to painting. Paint after the putty has completely dried. It won't form a good seal and could discolor or leak over time.

Paint

If you've suffered a break in a window pane, you may be worried about the expense of a new one. However, replacing one glass pane does not require a huge amount of money if you do it yourself. In fact, even a double-pane window can be replaced at a fraction of the cost of a professional.

First, if you're working on a large window, make sure that it is securely fixed to the frame. Using the proper tools and techniques you can make this task relatively easy and fast.

When you are ready to begin with the removal of the window pane. Pry out the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. These are tiny metal triangles which act as «nails» to hold the window within the frame. They are submerged under a bead of glazing putty, which is then cured to form a solid, moulded wedge that holds the window firmly in place and conceals the points.

After you have the old pane taken away Clean up the frame and wood. Scrape off any old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves in which the glazing points were placed. Sand them down to clean wood surfaces, so that you can paint the frames with the same color. After sanding the wood, apply a layer of flax oil. This will help extend its life.

Then, you need to measure the size of the window opening. You'll need to determine the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the entire opening, as well as the thickness. To determine the exact size of the new pane, subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. You can take these measurements to a hardware store 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, 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.