How to Replace Window Panes

A cracked window pane is an issue. It can also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or Replace Window Pane insulated windows, and reap benefits like improved comfort, increased resale value and reduced utility bills.

It's a project you can take on yourself for less than the cost of hiring a professional. It requires the right tools and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

If your single-pane windows are old, deteriorating or broken replacing them with more modern insulated or tempered glass can improve energy efficiency and reduce noise while maintaining the historical integrity of older homes. The majority of homeowners with basic hand tools can repair windows with ease. You'll also require a replacement window seals window pane, glazier's tips pliers, and latex glazing putty. If necessary you may make use of a heat gun to warm the old putty. Before starting, wear gloves and safety glasses as working with broken glass can cause injuries.

Take out any broken glass pieces remaining. This is best accomplished with a pair of pliers, but flathead screwdrivers can work in a pinch. Then, use a wooden chisel or putty knife take the remainder of the old putty from around the frame and sash. Work slowly and carefully and be careful not to damage the old window sash. It is a good idea to work on a stable ladder instead of the ground and to have someone standing below the sash in order to help hold it steady.

Make sure the window frame is ready to receive the new pane when you have removed the old putty. Take measurements of the width and height of the opening in the sash by subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). Take these measurements to the nearest hardware store or home center and find a piece glass cut to size. You can also cut the glass by yourself if you have the right tools.

After installing the glass 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 However, they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty to the surface, gently knead it until it is soft and free from lumps. Then you can roll it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be placed in the corner of the frame, working from one corner to the next to ensure it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular pieces of steel that help secure the glass into the window frame without causing any damage to the fragile surface. It's simple to learn how to use this nefarious tool, and you'll be able to save money on the cost of an installation by a professional.

After the old putty as well as the glazier's point are gone Clean the frame thoroughly with a knife to remove any remaining traces. Lightly sand the frame in the rabbet grooves if needed to smooth rough areas. If you sand replace window pane wood protect it with painter’s tape to prevent accidental damage.

Measure the empty frame's dimensions and write down accurate measurements. Take these measurements to an hardware store or home center, and have the new pane cut 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 into the frame and press it down using your hands. Use the point of the chisel, or the back of the putty knife to tap the glazier's points, as shown in Figure 11. The glazier's point should be in line with the top edge of your pane and the raised shoulders should be just below that lip.

Apply a thin bead 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.

When the glazing compound is dry, you're ready to install the new window sash. First, coat the wood with a heavy coat of Linseed oil. This will prevent the new putty from soaking in the moisture and deteriorating and cracking over time. Apply the coat using a brush or the tip of your knife, then use the chisel, or the back end from the putty knife to gently hammer in the new sash and glazier's tips into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball that is thrown or a rock that is errant or falling branch could cause a window to break or crack. Fortunately, the majority of windows can be replaced by simply putting a brand new piece of glass in its the proper place. The glass is held in place using small clips made of metal called a glazier's point and putty, also called glazing compound. Before installing a new pane, first take out the old one and clean up the area using an abrasive and the pull-type paint scraper or an abrasive wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves while you do this work. You'll need a heat gun if the window is glued into the frame.

If you are planning to replace window pane the original sash, gently remove any molding pieces that secure the old pane. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready to receive new caulk. Once the sash is installed then, apply a new silicone caulk around the glass to ensure that it won't leak or discolor over time.

Take out the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash, which is where the glass is. If they're difficult to work out, you can try holding a hand tool like a heat gun over them to soften them first. When using a heated tool, be careful to not scratch the sash or its railings.

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

If the new pane is cracked, you can use a silicone caulk or glass glue made from solvents to seal the crack before pressing it in the sash. Otherwise, you'll need to apply putty on the crack to create a tight seal and keep water out. Once the putty is dry, wipe the oily film off of the glass and let it dry completely before you paint. If you paint before the putty has completely dry, it won't form a strong seal and may leak or discolor in time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a broken pane of glass. In reality, replacing a single pane of glass doesn't have to be expensive when you do it on your own. In fact windows with double panes can be replaced for a fraction of the cost of an expert.

First, if you are working on a large window, make sure that it is securely fastened to the frame. By using the correct tools and techniques, you can complete this task easily and fast.

When you are ready to start taking down the old window pane. Remove the metal glazing points that are attached to it. These are small metal triangles that function as "nails" to hold the window in the frame. They are buried under a bead of glazing putty, which transforms into a solid molded wedge that holds the window firmly in place and hides the window's points.

After you have the old pane removed Clean up the frame and wood. Scrape off any old paint and sand the rabbet grooves that the glazing points were placed. These should be sanded down to the point of being bare, so that you can paint them the same shade as the rest of the frame. After sanding, apply a coat of flax oil to the bare wood to prolong its life.

The next step is to measure the dimensions of the window opening. You'll need to determine the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the entire opening, as well as the thickness. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure that you have the exact size for the new pane. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass during seasonal change. You can bring these measurements to a hardware 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.