How to Replace Window Pane Window Panes

A damaged window pane could cause a lot of trouble. This could be an opportunity to upgrade to energy-efficient windows or insulated ones and enjoy benefits such as improved comfort, increased resale value and lower utility costs.

You can do it yourself for a less than what it would cost to employ 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If your single-pane windows are outdated, deteriorating or broken, replacing them with newer glass that is tempered or insulated will increase energy efficiency and decrease noise while maintaining the original character of older homes. Most homeowners with basic hand tools can repair a window pane. In addition to a new pane, the following items are needed such as latex glazing putty; pliers, glazier's points and the use of a heat gun to warm the old putty, if necessary. Before starting, wear gloves and safety goggles as working with broken glass could cause injuries.

Take out any broken glass pieces remaining. This can be done with the help of pliers but flathead screwdrivers can work in the pinch. Then, use a wooden chisel or putty knife to remove the rest of the old putty from around the frame and sash. Be careful not to scratch the window sash. Be careful and slow. This can be done best on a ladder, not on the ground. Also, ensure that someone lower to hold it steady.

Make sure the window frame is ready to accommodate 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. These measurements can be taken to a home center or hardware store to get an item cut from glass stock to the proper size. Alternatively, you can cut the glass yourself, if you have the tools you need.

After putting the new pane in place After installing the new pane, apply a small amount of caulking around the edge to seal it against weather. Then install a glazier's point on each side of the frame to secure the pane in the right place. 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 knead it thoroughly until it's soft and free of lumps. Roll it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip to the corner of the frame. Work from one corner to the next to ensure it's even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular pieces of metal which help to secure glass into frames for windows without scratching or damaging the fragile surface. Knowing how to use these tiny helpers is simple and can save you money on a professional installation or the cost of purchasing new glass.

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

Note down the exact dimensions of the frame. Take 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 tight fit, and allow for expansion and contraction.

Insert the new pane into the frame and push it in using your hands. Then, use the tip of your chisel or the back of the putty knife to make a tap on the glazier's facets, as shown in Figure 11. The glazier's points should be in line with the top edge of your pane and the shoulders should be just below the lip.

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

After the glazing compound dries, you're ready to install the new window sash. First, coat the wood with a thick coat of linseed oil. This will prevent the new putty from taking up moisture and drying out and cracking with time. Use a brush to apply this coat, or even the tip of the blade. Then use the chisel that is on the back of the tool or the back of the handle to gently hit the new sash, or glazier's tip into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches around the frame's perimeter.

Putty

A baseball hit or a rock thrown by error, or a fallen tree could result in a broken or cracked window pane. Luckily, most windows can be repaired by simply putting a brand new piece of glass in its the proper place. The glass is held into place by a small metal clip, referred to as a glazier’s point and putty. This compound is also called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area using the rag, a pull-type scraper or wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while working. You'll need a heat gun in the event that the window handles replacement is glued into the frame.

If you're planning to reinstall the original sash, take off the mold that holds the old pane. Then you can sand the sash down to ensure it's level and ready to be re-caulked. After the sash has been reinstalled then, you can apply a silicone caulk on the glass. This will ensure that it doesn't be leaking or fade over time.

Remove the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash where the glass is located. If they're difficult to work out, try placing an instrument like a heat gun over them to soften them up first. If you're using a heating gun, be cautious not to cause damage to the railings or sash by using the tool too closely.

Once the old glaze points and putty are removed, make a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope with glazing compound between your fingers, and then make it about 1/2 inch thick. Then, press it into the rabbets, where the glass will rest. The glass must rest against the putty on both sides. If needed, lightly tap your glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has cracked, you can use a silicone caulk or glass glue made from solvents to cover the crack before pressing it in the sash. In other cases, you'll need to apply putty on the crack to create a tight seal and keep water out. After the putty is dry then clean the oily film off the glass with a rag and allow it to completely dry before painting. If you paint before the putty is completely dry, it will not form a strong seal and may leak or discolor in time.

Paint

If you've suffered a break in a window pane, you may be worried about the cost of a new one. But the truth is that replacing a single glass pane doesn't have to break the bank if you do it yourself. Even a double-paned window can be replaced for a fraction of what it will cost an expert.

If you're working with a large glass window first, ensure that it is securely fixed to the frame. This job is relatively easy and fast with the proper tools and techniques.

Once you're ready to begin taking off the old window by removing the metal glazing points that are connected to it. These are essentially small metal triangles that act as "nails" that hold the window in in the wood frame. They are placed under a bead of glazing putty that transforms into a solid molded wedge that secures the window in place and hides the window's points.

After removing the old pane, clean the frame and wood. Scrape away any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were. Sand them to bare wooden surfaces, allowing you to paint the frames the same shade. After sanding, apply a coat of flax oil on the wood that is not sanded down to help extend its lifespan.

Then, you need to measure the size of the window opening. You'll need to take vertical and horizontal measurements of the entire opening and also the thickness of the old pane. 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 during seasons of changes. You can bring these measurements to a hardware store 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.