How to Replace Window Pane (Mariskamast.Net) Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window can be a source of frustration. It can also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows to reap benefits like greater comfort, a higher resale value and reduced utility bills.

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

Glass

If your single-pane windows are outdated damaged, cracked or deteriorating, replacing them with newer glass that is tempered or insulated can increase energy efficiency and reduce noise while maintaining the original character of older homes. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can repair windows with ease. You will also need a replacement window pane, glazier's tips pliers, and latex glaze putty. If necessary you can use a heatgun to warm the old putty. Wear safety goggles and gloves before you begin. Working with broken glass could result in serious injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. It is recommended to use pliers for this however, a flathead may be used equally. After that, use a wood chisel, or putty knife, to remove the remaining old putty from around the frame and sash. Be careful not to scratch the window pane replacement sash. Work slowly and carefully. This should be done on a ladder, not on the ground. Also, ensure that someone lower to hold it steady.

Make sure that the window frame is ready to receive the new pane once you have removed the old glue. Find the width and the height of the sash opening and subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). These measurements can be taken to a home center or hardware store to have an item cut from glass that is in stock to the correct size. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself if have the tools you need.

After putting in the new pane After installing the new pane, apply a small amount of caulking around the edges to make it weatherproof. Install a glazier's point 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 however they should not be too loose.

Before applying the putty on the surface, knead thoroughly until it is soft and free of lumps. Then you can roll it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be glued to the frame's corner. Work from one corner to the next to ensure it's even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

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

After getting rid of the old putty glazier points and any residue clean the frame thoroughly with an utility knife. Lightly sand the wood into the rabbet grooves to smooth rough areas. If you do sand your wood, ensure you protect it by using 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 tight 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 tip of your chisel, or the back of the putty knife to pierce the glazier's points as shown in Figure 11. The glazier's points should be aligned with the top edge of your pane, and the shoulders should be just below the lip.

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

Install the new window sash after the glazing compound has dried. First, coat the wood with a heavy coat of linseed oil. This will stop the new putty from drying out and Replace window pane cracking when it absorbs moisture. Apply the coat using a brush or the edge of your putty knife, then use the chisel or the back end of the knife to gently press the new sash and glazier's point into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown at you, an errant rock or falling branch could cause a window pane to crack or break. The majority of windows can be replaced easily by putting in a new piece. The glass is held in place by a small metal clip called the glazier's pointed and putty, which is often called glazing compound. Before installing a replacement pane, first remove the old one and clean up the area with the help of a rag, a pull-type paint scraper or the wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves when you work. You'll require a heat gun in the event that the window is glued to the frame.

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

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

Prepare the bed for your new pane by removing the old glaze points and putty. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your fingers and then make it about 1/2 inch thick. Place it into the rabbets where the glass will be put. It's important that the glass is positioned against the putty in all places on both sides So 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 pressing it into the sash. If not, you'll have to putty over the crack to form a tight seal and keep water out. After the putty has dried remove the oily film off the glass and let it dry completely before you paint. Paint after the putty has dried completely. It won't create a solid seal and could discolor or leak over time.

Paint

If you've had a broken window pane, then you may be worried about the cost of a new one. In reality, replacing a single pane glass doesn't need to be costly even if you do it your own. Even a double-paned window can be replaced for a fraction of the price it would cost a professional.

If you're working with large glass windows first, ensure that it is securely attached to the frame. This task can be done relatively easy and quick with the appropriate tools and techniques.

When you are ready to begin with the removal of the window pane. Take out the metal glazing points attached to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles that act as "nails" that hold the window in within the frame of wood. They are submerged beneath a layer of glazing putty, which is then cured to form a solid, molded wedge which holds the window in place and hides 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. Sand them down to bare wood surfaces, so that you can paint the frames the same shade. After sanding, apply a layer of flax oil on the bare wood to extend the life of the frame.

Then, take measurements of the dimensions of the window opening. You'll need 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 get the exact measurement for the new pane. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. You can bring 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.