How to replace Window Pane Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window can cause a lot of trouble. This can be an opportunity to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones to enjoy benefits like increased comfort, higher resale value and reduced utility costs.

It's a task you can do yourself for less than the cost of hiring a professional. It requires the right tools and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

If your single-pane windows are outdated damaged, cracked or deteriorating replacing them with more modern glass that is tempered or insulated can increase energy efficiency and reduce noise while maintaining the original character of older homes. The process of replacing a window pane is relatively easy and can be accomplished by most homeowners who possess basic hand tools. You'll also require an additional window pane, glazier's suggestions, pliers, and latex glaze putty. If needed you can make use of a heat gun to warm the old putty. Wear safety glasses and gloves prior to beginning. Working with broken glass could cause serious injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. It is best to use pliers however, Replace Window pane a flathead may be useful as well. After that, use a wood chisel or putty knife to remove the rest of the old putty around 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 sturdy ladder rather than on the ground and have someone standing below the sash to help hold it steady.

Make sure that the window frame is ready to receive the new pane when you have removed the old putty. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction by subtracting 1/8 inch from the measurements of width and height. Bring these measurements to the nearest hardware store or home center and get a piece of stock glass cut to size. You can also cut the glass yourself if have the tools you need.

After putting in the new glass Apply caulking to the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then install a glazier's point on each side of the frame to hold the pane in the right place. The points shouldn't be too tight as to cause friction between the sash and the frame, but they also shouldn't be loose.

Before applying the putty on the surface, knead thoroughly until it is soft and free of lumps. Then make it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip to the corner of the frame. Work from corner to corner, making sure it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular pieces of steel which help to secure the glass to the frame without causing damage to the delicate surface. Understanding how to use these little helpers is easy and can save you money on professional installation or the cost of new glass.

After the old putty and the glazier's points have been removed Clean the frame thoroughly with a knife to remove any remaining traces. Lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves to smooth rough areas. If you sand wood, protect it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

Take the dimensions of the frame and write down accurate measurements. Bring these measurements to a hardware store or a home center, and have the new pane made slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a secure fit and will allow room for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and push it into place firmly by using your hands. Utilize the chisel's point, or the back of the putty knife to smudge 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 below the lip.

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

When the glazing compound is dry, you're ready to install the new window sash. First, coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will prevent the newly-created putty from drying out and cracking when it absorbs moisture. Apply the coat using a brush or the tip of your knife, then employ the chisel or back end of the knife to gently hammer in the new sash and glazier's point into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball that is thrown or an unintentional rock, or a fallen branch can cause a window to crack or break. The majority of windows can be replaced easily by simply putting in a fresh piece. The glass is held in place with a small metal clip called a glazier's point and putty, which is often 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 protective glasses and gloves while doing this work. You'll require a heat gun if the window is glued to the frame.

If you plan to reinstall the original sash, gently remove the molding pieces that hold the old pane in place. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is put back in place then, you can apply a silicone caulk on the glass. This will ensure that it doesn't leak over time or discolor.

Take out the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves in the sash where the glass is located. If they are hard to chisel, use an instrument like a heat gun over them for a few minutes to soften them. If you're using a heat gun, be careful not to scratch the railings of the sash or the sash itself by holding the tool too closely.

After 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, and form it to be around 1/2-inch thick. Place it into the rabbets, where the glass will be placed. It's important that the glass is positioned against the putty in all places on each side, so if you need to, lightly tap the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can use a silicone caulk or glass glue that is based on solvents to cover the crack prior to pressing it into the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you will need to apply putty to keep the water out. After the putty has dried clean the oily film from the glass and allow it to dry completely before painting. Paint after the putty has completely dried. It won't create a solid seal and could discolor or leak over time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a broken piece of glass. In reality, replacing a single piece of glass doesn't have to be costly when you do it on your own. In fact, even a double glazed window replacement-pane window can be replaced at a fraction of the cost of an expert.

First, if you're working on a large window, ensure that it is securely fastened to the frame. This job is relatively easy and fast with the appropriate tools and techniques.

When you are ready to begin taking down the old window pane. Take out the metal glazing points attached to it. These are tiny metal triangles which act as "nails" to hold the window handles replacement in the frame. They are placed under a bead of glazing putty that transforms into a solid moulded wedge that holds the window firmly in place and hides the edges.

After removing the old pane, clean the frame and wood. Scrape away any old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points used to be. These should be sanded to bare wood so that you can paint them the same color as the rest of the frame. After sanding, apply a layer of flax oil on the wood that is not sanded down to extend the life of the frame.

Next, measure the size of the window opening. You will need to measure 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 also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass in times of seasonal changes. You can take these measurements to a hardware store 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.