How to Replace Window Panes

A cracked window pane is a nuisance. This could be an opportunity to upgrade to energy-efficient windows or insulated ones and enjoy benefits like increased comfort, increased resale value and reduced utility costs.

This is a project you could do yourself for less than the cost of hiring a professional. You only need the appropriate tools and a few minutes of your time.

Glass

Replace Window pane your old single-paned windows with tempered or insulated glass to increase the efficiency of your energy, reduce noise, and maintain the historical integrity of your home's older. The process of replacing a window pane is relatively easy and can be accomplished by most homeowners who possess basic hand tools. You will also need a replacement window seals window pane, glazier's tips, pliers, and latex glazing putty. If you need to you can make use of a heat gun to warm the old putty. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to beginning. Working with broken glass can cause serious injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. It is best to use pliers however, a flathead may be useful equally. Utilize a wood chisel or putty knife to get rid of any old putty that remains around the frame and the window sash. Take your time and work slowly making sure not to break the current window sash. This should be done on a ladder, not the ground. Also, have someone below the sash keep it in place.

After you have removed all the old putty, it is time to prepare the window frame for the new pane. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction, subtract 1/8 inch each from the measurements of the width and height. Take these measurements to the nearest hardware store or home center and have a piece of stock glass cut to size. Alternatively, you can cut the glass yourself, if you have the right tools.

After installing the new pane after installing the new pane, put a tiny amount of caulking around the edge to make it weatherproof. Then install a glazier's point on each side of the frame to hold the pane in the right place. The points shouldn't 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, knead thoroughly until it is smooth and free of lumps. Make it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be placed to the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to the other to ensure it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

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

After the old putty as well as the glazier's points have been removed, thoroughly clean the frame with a utility knife to remove any remaining residue. Lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves if needed to smooth rough areas. If you sand wood protect it with painter’s tape to prevent accidental damage.

Measure the empty frame's dimensions and note down precise measurements. These dimensions can be taken to the hardware or home center store, and the new frame will be cut a bit smaller. This will ensure a snug fit and leave room for expansion and contraction.

Insert the new pane into the frame and push firmly with your hands. Then, you can use the point of your chisel or the back of the putty knife to pierce the glazier's facets, as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's points should sit flush against the top edge of your pane and the shoulders raised should be just below that lip.

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

Install the new window sash after the glazing compound has dried. First, you need to coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will stop the new putty from sucking in the moisture and drying out and cracking over time. Apply the coating using a brush 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 hammer the new sash or glazier's point into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown at you, an errant rock or a falling branch can cause a window screen replacement to crack or break. Fortunately, windows can be easily replaced by simply placing a new piece in the right place. The glass is held in place by tiny metal clips known as the glazier's pointed and putty, which is often called glazing compound. Before installing a new pane, first get rid of the old one and clean up the area using the help of a rag, the pull-type paint scraper or Replace window pane an abrasive wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while working. You'll require a heat gun in the event that the window is glued to the frame.

If you're planning to replace the original sash, take off the molding that holds the old pane. Then, sand the sash to ensure it's smooth and ready for a new caulk. After the sash has been put back in place it is possible to apply a silicone caulk to the glass. This will ensure that it doesn't get soiled or discolor over time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash, which is where the glass is located. If they're difficult to cut out, you can try holding a hand tool like a heat gun to soften them first. When using a heated tool, make sure to avoid damaging the sash's railings and sash.

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, forming it to be about 1/2-inch thick. Press it into the rabbets, where the glass will be put. It's important that the glass sits on the putty on both sides, so if you need to do so, gently tap the glass 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 use putty to keep the water out. Once the putty is dry, wipe the oily film off the glass and let it dry completely before painting. Paint before the putty has completely dried. It won't create a solid seal and may leak or discolor with time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a broken piece of glass. However, replacing a single glass pane doesn't need to cost a fortune when you do it yourself. Even a double-paned window can be replaced for a fraction of what it would cost an expert.

First, if you are working on a large-sized window, make sure it is securely fixed to the frame. Using the proper tools and techniques, you can accomplish this task fairly easily and speedy.

When you are ready to begin with the removal of the window pane. Remove the metal glazing points that are attached to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles that act as "nails" that keep the window in place within the frame of wood. They are submerged beneath a layer of glazing putty, which transforms into a solid formed wedge which holds the window in place and conceals the edges.

After you have the old pane removed Clean up the frame and wood. Scrape away any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves, where the glazing points used to be. Sand them down to clean wooden surfaces, allowing you to paint the frames the same shade. After the sanding process, apply a coat of flax oil on the wood's surface to extend the life of the frame.

Then, you need to measure the size 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 size of the new pane subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass during seasonal change. Bring these measurements to a hardware or home improvement store, and they will have 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.