How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window can be a source of frustration. It could also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows and reap benefits like more comfort, higher potential for resales, and less costs.

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

Glass

replace window Pane your single-paned windows with tempered insulation glass to improve energy efficiency, reduce noise, and preserve the original character of your older home. The replacement of the window pane is easy and can be completed by anyone with basic hand tools. Alongside a replacement pane, the following components are needed: latex glazing putty; glazier's points; pliers; and the use of a heat gun to warm the old putty if required. Before beginning, wear gloves and safety glasses as working with broken glass could cause injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. It is recommended to use pliers however a flathead could be used equally. Then, use a wooden chisel or putty knife to remove the remaining old putty from around the frame and the sash. Be careful to not damage the window screen replacement sash. Work slowly and carefully. This is best done on an elevated ladder, not on the ground. Also, have someone below the sash keep it in place.

Make sure that the window frame is ready to receive the new pane once you have removed the old glue. 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 home center or hardware store to get a piece cut of stock glass to the right size. Alternatively, you can cut the glass yourself, if you have the appropriate tools.

After putting in the new pane After installing the new pane, Replace Window Pane apply a small amount of caulking along the edge to ensure it is weatherproof. Then install a glazier's point on each side of the frame to secure the pane in its place. The points should not be too tight that they create friction between the frame and the sash However, they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty on the surface, knead thoroughly until it is soft and free of lumps. Roll it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip in the corner of the frame, working from one corner to the other to ensure it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier’s points are small triangular pieces of steel that help secure the glass to the frame without damaging the delicate surface. It's simple to learn how to use this secret tool and you can save money on the expense of a professional installation.

After the old putty and the glazier's points have been removed and the frame is thoroughly cleaned with a utility knife to eliminate any remaining residue. If necessary you can lightly sand the wood in the grooves of the rabbets to smooth out rough spots. If you sand wood protect it with painter’s tape to protect it from damage caused by accidental sanding.

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

Place the new pane into the frame and press it down using your hands. Then, use the tip of your chisel, or the back end of the putty knife to make a tap on the glazier's points, as shown in Figure 11. The glazier's point should be in line with the top edge of the pane and the shoulders should be just below that 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. Let it dry and cure completely.

Install the new window sash when the glazing compound has dried. The first step is to coat the wood with a heavy coat of Linseed oil. This will stop the new putty from drying out and cracking when it absorbs moisture. Apply the coat using a brush or the tip of your putty knife, then employ the chisel or back end of the knife to gently hammer in the new sash and glazier's tips into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches around the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A baseball hit, a rock thrown in error or a branch falling could result in a broken or cracked window pane. The majority of windows can be replaced easily by simply putting in a fresh piece. The glass is held into place by a small metal clip, called a glazier’s point and putty. This compound is also known as glazing compound. Before installing a replacement pane, first get rid of the old one and clean up the area with a rag and a pull-type paint scraper or a wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves while working. You'll need a heat gun if the window is glued to the frame.

If you're planning to install the original sash in the future, take care to remove the molding pieces that are used to secure the old pane. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is installed then, apply a new silicone caulk to the glass to ensure it doesn't swell or fade as time passes.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets, the grooves in the sash that the glass sits. If they're difficult to work out, try holding a hand tool like a heat gun over them to soften them first. When using a heating tool, be careful to avoid damaging the sash or its railings.

Once the old glaze points and putty have been removed, make a bed for the new pane. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, and form it to be around 1/2-inch thick. Then, press it into the rabbets in which the glass will be. It is essential that the glass sits on the putty in all places on each side If you have to tap it, gently press the glass 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 apply putty over the crack to create a tight seal and keep water out. Once the putty is dry clean the oily film off of the glass and let it dry completely before you paint. Paint before the putty has completely dried. It won't create a solid seal and could be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

If you've suffered a break in a window pane, you might be concerned about the expense of replacing it. But the truth is that replacing a single glass pane doesn't require a huge amount of money when you do it yourself. In fact, even a double-pane window can be replaced at a fraction of the cost of an expert.

If you are working on a large window, ensure that it is securely attached to the frame. This task is relatively easy and quick with the right tools and techniques.

When you're ready to start taking off the old window pane by removing the glazing points of metal that are connected to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles that act as "nails" which hold the window in in the wood frame. They are placed beneath a layer of glazing putty that hardens into a solid, moulded wedge which holds the window in place and hides the window's points.

Once you have the old pane removed clean the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used and sand the rabbet grooves that the glazing points were placed. Sand them down to clean wood surfaces, so that you can paint the frames with the same shade. After sanding, apply a layer of flax oil to the bare wood to help extend its lifespan.

Next, measure the dimensions of the window's opening. It is necessary to measure the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the entire opening as well as the thickness. 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 during seasons of change. You can bring these measurements to a hardware or home improvement shop and get 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.