How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane could cause a lot of trouble. It can also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows to enjoy benefits such as improved comfort, increased resale value and reduced utility bills.

It's a project you can take on yourself for only a fraction of the cost of hiring an expert. You'll only require the right tools and a few hours of your time.

Glass

Replace your single-paned windows with tempered insulated glass to increase the efficiency of your energy, reduce noise, and preserve the original character of your older home. Most homeowners with basic hand tools can replace Window Pane a window pane. In addition to a replacement double glazing windows pane, the following components are needed such as latex glazing putty; Glazier's points; pliers and a heat gun for warming the old putty, if necessary. Wear safety glasses and gloves prior Sash window replacement to starting. Working with broken glass can cause serious injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. It is recommended to use pliers however, a flathead may be used equally. After that, use a wood chisel, or putty knife, to remove the rest of the old putty from the frame and the sash. Take your time and work slowly making sure not to break the existing window sash. It is best to work on a stable ladder rather than on the ground and have someone standing below the sash to help keep it steady.

After you have removed all of the old putty, prepare the window frame to accommodate the new pane. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction and contraction, subtract 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 glass that is in stock to the correct size. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself, if you have the right tools.

After installing the new glass After installing the glass, apply some caulking to the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Install a glazier’s point on both sides of the frame. This will secure the pane. The points should not be too tight that they cause friction between the frame and sash, but they should also not be loose.

Before applying the putty, work it in a gentle manner until it is soft and free of lumps. Then make it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be glued to the frame's corner. Work from corner to corner, making sure it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular pieces of metal that allow glass to be secured to the frame without damaging the delicate surface. It's easy to learn how to use this hidden tool, and you'll be able to save money on the expense of an expert installation.

After the old putty as well as the glazier's point are gone Clean the frame thoroughly with a utility knife to get rid of any remaining residue. If necessary it is necessary to lightly sand the wood along grooves of the rabbet to smooth rough areas. If you decide to sand wood, protect it with painter's tape to protect it from damage caused by accidental sanding.

Take the dimensions of the frame and record precise measurements. These measurements can be brought to an hardware or home centers store and the new pane will be cut to a smaller size. This will ensure a secure fit and will allow room for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane in the frame and push it into place firmly with your hand. Make use of the point of the chisel, or the back of the putty blade to tap in the glazier's points as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's points should be in line with the top edge of the pane and the raised shoulders should be just beneath that lip.

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

When the glazing compound is dry it's time to put in the new window sash. First, you need to coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will prevent the newly-created putty from drying out or cracking as it absorbs moisture. Apply this coat with a brush or the edge of your putty knife, then use the chisel or the back end of the putty knife to gently hammer in the new sash and glazier's tips into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches along the frame's perimeter.

Putty

A hurled baseball or a rock that is errant or a falling branch can cause a window to crack or break. Fortunately, windows can be easily replaced by simply placing a new piece in place. The glass is held in place by a small metal clip called a glazier's point, and putty, which is often called glazing compound. Before installing a replacement pane, first get rid of the old one and clean the area with an abrasive and the pull-type paint scraper or a wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses when working. If the window is attached to the frame, you'll need use a heat gun to soften the adhesive prior to prying it free.

If you're planning to install the original sash, remove any pieces of molding that hold the old pane in place. Then, sand the sash to ensure it's level and ready for a new caulk. After the sash has been reinstalled, you can apply a silicone caulk on the glass. This will ensure that it doesn't get soiled or discolor over time.

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets and the grooves in the sash that the glass sits. If they're difficult to cut out, try holding an instrument like a heat gun to soften them up first. When using a heated tool, be careful to avoid damaging the sash's railings and sash.

Make the bed for your new pane after you have removed the old glaze and putty. Roll a rope made 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. The glass should rest against the putty on both sides. If needed you want to tap your glass lightly into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack, you can cover it with a solvent-based glass glue or silicone caulk prior pressing it into the sash. If not, you'll have to putty over the crack to form an airtight seal and keep water out. Once the putty is dry, wipe the oily film from the glass and let it dry completely before painting. If you paint before the putty has completely dry, it won't create a strong seal and may leak or discolor over time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a broken piece of glass. In reality, replacing a single pane glass doesn't need to be costly even if you do it your own. In fact even windows with double panes can be replaced for less than the cost of a professional.

First, if you're working on a large window, ensure that it is securely fastened to the frame. This can be done relatively easy and quick with the appropriate tools and double glazed replacement windows techniques.

If you're ready to begin with the removal of the old window pane by prying out the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. These are small metal triangles that function as «nails», holding the window within the frame. They are buried beneath a layer of glazing putty that transforms into a solid formed wedge that secures the window in place and conceals the points.

After taking off the old pane clean the frame and the wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used and sand down the rabbet grooves that the glazing points were placed. These should be sanded down to bare wood to allow you to paint them the same shade as the rest of the frame. After sanding, apply a layer of flax oil to the wood that is not sanded down to help extend its lifespan.

Next, measure the dimensions of the window opening. It is necessary to take horizontal and vertical measurements of the entire opening as well as the thickness of the old pane. 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. You can take these measurements to a 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 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.