How to Replace Window Panes

A cracked window pane is a nuisance. It can also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows to enjoy benefits such as greater comfort, a higher resale value and reduced utility costs.

You can do it yourself at a fraction of what it would cost to employ an expert. You only need the right tools and a few minutes of your time.

Glass

replace window pane (click to find out more) your single-paned windows with tempered or insulated glass to increase energy efficiency, reduce noise, and maintain the historical integrity of your older home. The procedure of replacing the window pane is simple and can be done by most homeowners who possess basic hand tools. Alongside a replacement pane, the following tools are needed for the replacement window seals process: latex glazing putty pliers, glazier's points and a heat gun for warming the old putty, if necessary. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to beginning. Working with broken glass can cause serious injuries.

Take away any broken glass pieces that remain. This is best done using a pair of pliers, however, a flathead screwdriver can also be used in the pinch. After that, use a wood chisel, or putty knife, to remove the rest of the old putty from around the frame and the sash. Be careful to not break the window sash. Be careful and slow. It is recommended to do this on a stable ladder rather than on the ground and place someone on the sash to help keep it in place.

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

After installing the new pane after installing the new pane, put a tiny amount of caulking along the edge to ensure it is 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 create friction between the frame and sash however they shouldn't be loose.

Before applying the putty make sure to knead it until it's soft 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 small triangular metal pieces that allow glass to be secured to the frame without causing any damage to the fragile surface. Learning how to use these tiny helpers is simple and could save you money on a professional installation or the cost of new glass.

After getting rid of the old putty glazier points, and any other leftovers Clean the frame thoroughly with an utility knife. If necessary, lightly sand the wood in the grooves of the rabbets to smooth rough areas. If you decide to sand wood, protect it with painter's tape to protect it from damage caused by accidental sanding.

Take measurements of the empty frame and note down precise measurements. These dimensions can be taken to a home center or hardware store, and the new pane will be cut to a smaller size. This will ensure that the pane fits comfortably and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and push it into the frame by using your hands. Utilize the point of the chisel or the back of the putty knife to smudge the glaziers' points as shown in Figure 11. When you're done taping, they should be flush with the top edge of the pane, and the raised shoulders of the points should be below the lip of the rabbet groove.

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

Once the glazing compound has dried, you're ready to install the new window sash. First, coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will stop the new putty from drying out or cracking due to the moisture it absorbs. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or the point of the putty blade. Then use the chisel that is on the back of the putty tool or the back of the handle to gently smash the new sash or glazier's point into grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process every 10 inches around the frame's perimeter.

Putty

A baseball that is thrown or an unintentional rock, or falling branch could cause a window to break or crack. Fortunately, windows can be replaced by simply putting a brand new piece in the proper place. The glass is held in place by a small metal clip, also known as a glazier’s point and putty. This compound is also referred to as glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area with a rag, a pull-type scraper, or a wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves while working. If the window is secured to the frame, you'll need to employ a heat gun in order to soften the adhesive prior to cutting it loose.

If you are planning to replace the original sash, gently remove the molding pieces that hold the old pane in place. Then you can sand the sash down to ensure it's level and ready for a new caulk. Once the sash is put back in place it is possible to apply a silicone caulk to the glass. This will ensure that it won't leak over time or discolor.

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets and the grooves in the sash where the glass is. If they are hard to chisel, use a hand tool such as a heatgun over them to allow them to soften before. If you're using a heat gun, be cautious not to cause damage to the railings or sash by using the tool too closely.

Create a bed for your new pane after removing the old glaze and putty. Roll a rope made of glazing compound between your fingers and then make it about 1/2 inch thick. Then, press it into the rabbets where the glass will sit. The glass must be positioned against the putty on both sides. If needed gently tap your glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack you can fill it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk before pressing it into the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you'll need to use putty to keep water from getting in. After the putty has dried and the film is oily, wipe it off the glass with a rag and allow it to dry completely before painting. If you paint before the putty is fully dry, it won't form a strong seal and may discolor or leak in time.

Paint

If you've suffered a break in a window pane, then you may be concerned about the expense of a new one. However, replacing a single glass pane doesn't have to break the bank If you can do it yourself. Even a double-paned window could be replaced at a fraction of the cost it will cost a professional.

If you are working on a large window, make sure it is securely fixed to the frame. This is relatively easy and fast with the proper tools and techniques.

When you're ready to start taking off the old window pane by prying out the glazing points of metal that are connected to it. These are basically small metal triangles which function as "nails" that keep the window seal replacement in within the frame of wood. They are buried beneath a bead or glazing putty that hardens to a solid wedge that holds the wood frame firmly in position and hides the points.

After removing the old pane, clean the frame and Replace window pane the wood. Scrape away any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves, where the glazing points used to be. Sand them down to bare wooden surfaces so you can paint the frames with the same shade. After sanding, apply a coat of flax oil to the wood's surface to prolong its life.

The next step is to determine the width of the window's opening. It is necessary to take horizontal and vertical measurements of the entire opening, as well as the thickness of the old pane. 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 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.