How to replace window handle Window Panes

A damaged window pane could be a source of frustration. This could be an opportunity to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones and 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 to hire an expert. It requires the right equipment and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

Replace your old single-paned windows with tempered or insulate glass to improve the efficiency of your energy, reduce noise, and protect the historic integrity of your old home. The replacement of a window pane is relatively easy and can be completed by anyone with basic hand tools. In addition to a replacement double glazing windows pane, the following tools are required such as latex glazing putty; glazier's points; pliers; and an electric heater to warm the old putty, if needed. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to starting. Working with broken glass could result in serious injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. This is best done using the help of pliers however, a flathead screwdriver can also work in a pinch. After that, use a wood chisel or putty knife remove the remaining old putty around the frame and the sash. Work slowly and carefully making sure not to break the existing window sash. It is best to work on a stable ladder rather than the ground and to have someone stand below the sash in order to help hold it in place.

Make sure that the window frame is ready to accommodate the new pane after you have removed the old putty. Take measurements of the width and height of the opening in 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 an item cut from glass stock to the proper size. You can cut the glass yourself if you possess the appropriate tools.

After putting the new pane in place after installing the new pane, put a tiny amount of caulking along the edge to seal it against weather. Install a glazier's point 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 sash and frame, but they also should not be too loose.

Before applying the putty to the surface, knead thoroughly until it is smooth and free from lumps. Then make it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip in the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to the other so that it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are the tiny triangular pieces of steel which help to secure glass into frames for windows without scratching or damaging the fragile surface. Knowing how to use these tiny helpers is simple and can save you money on a professional installation or the cost of purchasing new glass.

After removing the old putty, glazier points, and any other remnants, clean the frame thoroughly using an utility knife. If necessary, lightly sand the wood along grooves of the rabbet to smooth out rough areas. If you sand wood, protect it with painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Take measurements of the empty frame and note down precise measurements. Take these dimensions to a hardware store or home center and request that the new pane made slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure that the pane fits comfortably and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and push firmly using your hands. Then, use the tip of your chisel or back of the putty knife to pierce the glazier's points as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's points should sit aligned with the top edge of your pane and the shoulders raised should be just beneath that lip.

Apply a thin layer glazing compound to the rabbet grooves as well as the edges of the new glass. This will seal and protect the edges. 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 a thick coat of linseed oil. This will prevent the new putty from soaking in the moisture and drying out and cracking over time. Use a brush to apply this coat, or even the tip of the putty blade. Then use the chisel that is on the back of the putty tool or the back of the handle to gently hit the new sash, or glazier's point into rabbet grooves. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

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

If you are planning to replace your original sash, remove the molding that supports the old pane. Then you can sand the sash down to make sure it's flat and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is reinstalled it is possible to apply a silicone caulk on the glass. This will ensure that it won't be leaking or fade over time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets and the grooves in the sash that the glass sits. If they're hard to chisel out, try holding the hand tool, such as a heat gun to soften them first. When using a heat tool, be careful to not damage the sash's railings and sash.

Once the old points of glazing and putty have been removed, make a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your hands, forming it to be about 1/2-inch thick. Then, push it into the rabbets in which the glass will sit. It is crucial that the glass sits on the putty on each side If you have to do so, gently tap 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 prior to pressing it into the sash. Otherwise, you'll need to apply putty on the crack to create a tight seal and keep water out. Once the putty is dry clean the oily film off the glass and let it dry completely before you paint. If you paint before the putty is fully dry, it won't form a strong seal and may discolor or leak over time.

Paint

If you've suffered a break in a window pane, then you may be worried about the expense of replacing it. In reality, replacing a single pane glass doesn't need to be expensive when you do it on your own. Even a double-paned window could be replaced for a fraction of the price it will cost a professional.

If you are working with large glass windows first ensure it is securely fixed to the frame. This job can be done relatively easy and fast with the appropriate tools and techniques.

Once you're ready to begin with the removal of the old window pane by prying out the metal glazing points that are attached to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles which function as «nails» that hold the window in place within the frame of wood. They are buried under a bead of glazing putty, which is then cured to form a solid, moulded wedge which holds the window in place and hides the window's points.

After taking off the old pane clean the frame and wood. Scrape away any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves, where the glazing points used to be. These should be sanded to bare wood to allow you to paint them the same shade as the rest of the frame. After sanding the wood then apply a layer of flax oil. This will help to prolong the life of the frame.

Then, take measurements of the dimensions of the window's opening. You'll need to take vertical and horizontal measurements of the entire opening, as well as the thickness of the old pane. To determine the exact dimensions 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 change. You can take 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.