How to replace window pane (new content from Huenhue) Window Panes

A cracked window pane is a nuisance. It could be a chance to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones to enjoy advantages like improved comfort, increased resale value and reduced utility bills.

It's a project you can take on yourself for less than the cost of hiring an expert. It requires the right tools and only an hour or two of your time.

Glass

If your single-pane windows are outdated, deteriorating or broken replacing them with more modern glass that is tempered or insulated will increase energy efficiency and decrease noise while maintaining the historical integrity of older homes. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can repair a window pane. In addition to a replacement pane, the following components are needed for the replacement process: latex glazing putty pliers, glazier's points and an electric heater to warm the old putty, if necessary. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to starting. Working with broken glass can cause serious injuries.

Remove any broken glass pieces remaining. This can be done with a pair of pliers, however, a flathead screwdriver may be effective in the pinch. Make use of a wood chisel or putty knives, to take away any old putty remaining around the frame and window sash. Take your time and work slowly and be careful not to damage the old window sash. This should be done on an elevated ladder, not on the ground. Also, ensure that someone on the ground to hold it steady.

Prepare the window frame to accept the new pane after you have removed the old glue. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction by subtracting 1/8 inch from the measurements of the width and height. Take these measurements to a hardware store or home center, and have a piece of stock glass cut to size. You can cut the glass yourself if you have the appropriate tools.

After installing the glass, apply some caulking around the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then install a glazier's point on the frame's opposite side to secure the pane into the right place. The points should not be so tight that they cause friction between the frame and the sash however they should not be loose.

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

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are the small triangular pieces which help to secure glass into the frame of a window without scratching or damaging the fragile surface. Understanding how to use these little helpers is easy and could save you money on a professional installation or the cost of buying new glass.

After the old putty as well as glazier's points are removed, thoroughly clean the frame with a knife to get rid of any remaining residue. If necessary it is necessary to lightly sand the wood along the grooves of the rabbet to smooth rough areas. If you do sand your wood, ensure you protect it by using painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Note down the dimensions of the frame. Take these measurements to an hardware store or home center and replace window pane have the new pane cut smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure that the pane fits comfortably and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane in the frame and push firmly using your hands. Make use of the point of the chisel, or the edge of the putty blade to tap in the glazier's points, as illustrated in Figure 11. When you're done taping, they should be in line 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 as well as the edges of the new glass. This will protect and seal the edges. Let it dry and cure fully.

Install the new window sash after the glazing compound has dried. First, coat the wood with a heavy coat of linseed oil. This will keep the new putty from taking up the moisture and deteriorating and cracking with time. Apply this coat with a brush or the edge of your putty knife, then employ the chisel or back end of the knife to gently press the new sash and glazier's point into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown at you or a rock that is errant or a fallen branch can cause a window pane to crack or break. Fortunately, the majority of windows can be easily replaced by simply putting a brand new piece of glass in its place. The glass is held in place using small clips made of metal called a glazier's point, and putty, also called glazing compound. Before installing a new pane, first remove the old one and clean up the area using a rag and an abrasive scraper that is a pull type or an abrasive wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while doing this work. You'll need a heating gun when the window is fixed into the frame.

If you are planning to install the original sash, take off the molding that holds the old pane. Then, sand the sash to make sure it's flat and ready to be re-caulked. After the sash has been installed, you can apply a silicone caulk to the glass. This will ensure that it doesn't leak over time or discolor.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets. These are the grooves in the sash where the glass is located. 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 careful to not damage the sash's railings and sash.

After the old points of glazing and putty are removed, prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope 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 you need to you want to tap your glass lightly into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can cover it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk prior pressing it into the sash. If the crack isn't sealed, you will need to apply putty to keep water out. Once the putty is dry clean the oily film off the glass and allow it to dry completely before you paint. If you paint before the putty is fully dry, it won't create a solid seal and could discolor or leak in time.

Paint

If you've had a broken window pane, you may be worried about the cost of replacing it. However, replacing one glass pane does not need to cost a fortune if you do it yourself. In fact windows with double panes can be replaced for a fraction of the cost of a professional.

First, if you're working on a large-sized window replacement, make sure it is securely fixed to the frame. With the right tools and techniques you can make this task relatively easy and fast.

Once you're ready to begin with the removal of the old window pane by removing the metal glazing points that are connected to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles which function as "nails" which hold the window in place in the wood frame. They are placed beneath a layer of glazing putty, which is then cured to form a solid, formed wedge that secures the window in place and hides the points.

After taking off the old pane clean the frame and wood. Scrape off any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were. Sand them down to clean wood surfaces, so that you can paint the frames with the same shade. After sanding, apply a coat of flax oil on the wood's surface to help extend its lifespan.

Then, take measurements of the dimensions of the window's opening. You will need to take vertical and horizontal measurements of the entire opening and also 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 also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass during seasonal change. Take these measurements to the hardware or home improvement store and ask them to cut you cut the glass 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.