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 to reap benefits like more comfort, higher the value of resales and lower utility bills.

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

Glass

If your single pane windows are old, deteriorating or broken replacing them with modern glass that is tempered or insulated will improve energy efficiency and reduce noise while maintaining the historic integrity of older homes. The replacement glass in windows of a window pane replacement pane is relatively simple and can be done by anyone with basic hand tools. You will also require an extra window pane, glazier's suggestions, pliers, and latex glazing putty. If you need to you may use a heating gun to warm the old putty. Before starting, put on gloves and safety glasses as working with broken glass may cause injuries.

Remove any broken glass pieces that remain. It is recommended to use pliers, but a flathead can be useful as well. Use a wood chisel, or putty knives, to take away any old putty that remains around the frame and the window sash. Be careful to not damage the window sash. Be careful and slow. It is a good idea to do this on a sturdy ladder rather than the ground and to have someone standing below the sash in order to help hold it steady.

Prepare the window frame to receive the new pane once you have removed the old glue. Take measurements of the width and height of the opening for the sash, subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). Bring these measurements to an hardware store or home center and have a piece of stock glass cut to size. You can cut the glass yourself if you possess the right tools.

After installing the new glass After installing the glass, apply some caulking to the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then, you can install a glazier's pointing on each side of the frame to hold the pane in place. The points shouldn't be so tight that they create friction between the frame and the sash however they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty to the surface, knead thoroughly until it is smooth and free from lumps. Then make it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip to the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to the next to ensure it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular pieces that allow glass to be secured into a window frame without scratching or damaging the fragile surface. Knowing how to use these tiny helpers is simple and could save you money on professional installation or the cost of buying new glass.

After getting rid of the old putty glazier points as well as any remaining leftovers Clean the frame thoroughly with an utility knife. If needed, lightly sand the wood along the grooves of the rabbets to smooth rough spots. If you decide to sand the wood, be sure to protect it by using painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Note down the dimensions of the frame. These measurements can be brought to an hardware or home centers store, and the new frame will be cut a bit smaller. This will ensure that the pane fits perfectly and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane in the frame and press it in place with your hand. Make use of the point of the chisel, or the edge of the putty blade to tap the glaziers' points as shown in Figure 11. After you're done, the points should be flush with the top edge of the pane. the shoulders of the points should be below the rabbet's lip. groove.

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

Install the new window sash once the glazing compound has dried. First, coat the wood with a heavy coat of Linseed oil. This will stop the new putty from drying out and cracking due to the moisture it absorbs. Use a brush to apply this coat, or the point of the 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 in 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. Fortunately, windows can be replaced by simply placing a new piece in the right place. The glass is held in place with a small metal clip called a glazier's point and putty, which is often called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area using an abrasive, scraper that is a pull type or a wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves when you work. If the window is secured to the frame, you'll need make use of a heat gun to soften the adhesive before taking it off.

If you're planning to reinstall the original sash, take off the mold that holds the old pane. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready for new caulk. After the sash has been re-installed then, apply a new silicone caulk to the glass to ensure that it won't leak or discolor over time.

Remove the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash, which is where the glass is located. If they're hard to chisel out, try holding the hand tool, such as a heat gun over them to soften them before you do. When using a heat tool, make sure to not scratch the sash's railings and sash.

Create the bed for your new pane after you have removed the old glaze and putty. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your hands, and form it into a 1/2-inch thick. Then, press it into the rabbets where the glass will be. The glass should rest against the putty on both sides. If you need to, lightly tap your glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane has damaged, you can use the silicone caulk or glass glue made from solvents to fill in the crack before 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 remove the oily film from the glass and let it dry completely before you paint. If you paint before the putty is fully dry, it won't form a strong seal and may discolor or leak over time.

Paint

If you've experienced a broken window pane, you may be worried about the expense of replacing it. But the truth is that replacing a single glass pane doesn't require a huge amount of money when you do it yourself. Even double-paned windows can be replaced at a fraction of the cost it will cost a professional.

If you are working with large glass windows first ensure it is securely attached to the frame. With the right tools and techniques, you can accomplish this task fairly easily and quick.

If you're ready to begin with the removal of the old window replacement pane by removing the glazing points of metal that are connected to it. These are basically small metal triangles that act as "nails" that keep the window in in the wood frame. They are placed beneath a layer of glazing putty, which transforms into a solid molded wedge that secures the window in place and conceals the points.

After removal of the old pane clean the frame and the wood. Scrape off any old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves in which the glazing points were placed. These should be sanded to bare wood to allow you to paint them the same color as the rest the frame. After sanding, apply a coat of flax oil to the wood that is not sanded down to extend the life of the frame.

Next, measure the dimensions of the window's opening. You'll need to determine the vertical and horizontal 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 allow for seasonal changes in the glass. 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 Replacement For Window 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.