How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane could be a nuisance. It could also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows, and reap benefits like improved comfort, increased the value of resales and lower utility bills.

This is a project you could do yourself for a fraction of the cost of hiring a professional. You'll only require the right tools and a few hours of your time.

Glass

If your single-pane windows are outdated broken, deteriorating or damaged replacing them with modern glass that is tempered or insulated can improve energy efficiency and reduce noise while preserving the historical integrity of older homes. The majority of homeowners with basic hand tools can Replace Window Pane a window pane. In addition to a replacement pane, the following components are needed: latex glazing putty; glazier's points; pliers; and an electric heater to warm the old putty, if necessary. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to starting. Working with broken glass could result in serious injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. It is recommended to use pliers however, a flathead may be useful as well. After that, use a wood chisel, or putty knife, to take the remainder of the old putty around the frame and the sash. Take your time and work slowly and be careful not to break the current window sash. This can be done best on a ladder, not on the ground. Also, ensure that someone lower to ensure it is held steady.

Once you have removed all of the old putty, you can prepare the window frame for 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 sent to an hardware or home centers store to have cut a piece of glass that is in stock to the correct size. You can also cut the glass by yourself if you have the right tools.

After installing the glass Apply a small amount of caulking on the edges. This will make the glass weatherproof. Install a glazier’s point on both sides of the frame. This will ensure the pane. The points should not be tight enough to cause friction between the frame and the sash, but they should also not be loose.

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

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are the tiny triangular pieces of steel that help secure glass into frames for windows without scratching or damaging the fragile surface. It's simple to learn how to use this nefarious tool, and you'll save money on the cost of an expert installation.

After removing the old putty, glazier points, and any other remnants Clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife. If needed you can lightly sand the wood along the grooves of the rabbet to smooth rough spots. If you decide to sand Replace window pane wood, cover it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

Write down the dimensions of the frame. Take these dimensions to an hardware store or home center, and have the new pane made slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure that the pane fits snugly and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane in the frame and press it in place with your hand. Then use the point of your chisel, or the back of the putty knife to make a tap on the glazier's facets, as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's points should sit aligned with the top edge of the pane and the shoulders raised should be just beneath that lip.

Apply a thin layer of glazing compound over the edges of the glass that has been made and into the rabbet grooves to seal and protect them. Allow it to dry and cure completely.

Once the glazing compound has dried, you're ready to install the new window sash. The first step is to coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will stop the new putty from taking in the moisture and deteriorating and cracking over time. Apply this coat with a brush or the tip of your putty knife, and then use the chisel, or the back end from the putty knife to gently hammer the new sash and glazier's tips into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown or a rock thrown by error, or a fallen tree could result in a broken or cracked window pane. The majority of windows can be replaced easily by putting in a new piece. The glass is held into position by a small metal clip, called a glazier's point and putty. This compound is also called glazing compound. Before installing a replacement pane, first remove the old one and clean up the area with an abrasive and the pull-type paint scraper or the wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while you do this work. If the window screen replacement is attached to the frame, you'll need to employ a heat gun in order to soften the adhesive prior to taking it off.

If you are planning to reinstall your original sash, you must remove the mold that holds the old pane. Then you can sand the sash down to make sure it's flat and ready to be re-caulked. After the sash has been installed then, 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 in the rabbets. These are the grooves in the sash where the glass is located. If they are hard to chisel, use a hand tool such as a heating gun over them to soften first. When using a heat tool, be sure to not damage the sash and its railings.

After the old glazing points and putty have been removed, make a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your fingers, and then make it about 1/2 inch thick. Then, you can press it into the rabbets, where the glass will rest. It is crucial that the glass is positioned against the putty in all places on both sides So if you have to tap it, gently press the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is damaged, you can use a silicone caulk or a glass glue made from solvents to seal the crack before pressing it into the sash. If not, you'll have to apply putty on the crack to form a tight seal and keep water out. After the putty has dried clean the oily film off of the glass and let it dry completely before you paint. Paint after the putty is completely dry. It will not make a strong seal and may leak or discolor with time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a broken piece of glass. The truth is, replacing a single piece of glass doesn't have 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 costs for a professional.

If you're working with large glass windows first ensure it is securely fixed to the frame. With the right tools and techniques you can make this task relatively easy and speedy.

Once you're ready to begin, begin by removing the old window by prying out the glazing points made of metal that are connected to it. These are basically small metal triangles which function as "nails" that keep the window in within the frame of wood. They are submerged beneath a layer of glazing putty that transforms into a solid molded wedge which holds the window in place and hides the edges.

After removal of the old pane clean the frame and wood. Scrape off any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves, where the glazing points used to be. Sand them down to bare wood surfaces, so that you can paint the frames with the same shade. After sanding the wood you can apply a layer flax oil. This will help to extend its life.

Next, measure the size of the window replacement cost's opening. You'll need to determine the horizontal and vertical 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 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.