How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane can be an inconvenience. It can also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows and enjoy benefits such as more comfort, higher resale value and reduced utility bills.

This is a project you could take on yourself for a fraction of the cost of hiring a professional. You only need the appropriate tools and a few hours of your time.

Glass

If your single-pane windows are old broken, deteriorating or damaged replacing them with more modern glass that is tempered or insulated can increase energy efficiency and decrease noise while preserving the historical integrity of older homes. The process of replacing a window pane is relatively easy and can be completed by anyone with basic hand tools. In addition to a replacement pane, the following tools are required: latex glazing putty; glazier's points; pliers; and a heat gun for warming the old putty, if necessary. Before starting, wear gloves and safety glasses as working with broken glass could cause injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. It is best to use pliers, replace Window Pane but a flathead can be used as well. After that, use a wood chisel or putty knife to remove the remaining old putty from around the frame and the sash. Be careful to not break the window sash. Work slowly and carefully. It is a good idea to do this on a sturdy ladder rather than on the ground and have someone standing below the sash to help keep it steady.

After you've removed all the old putty, prepare the window frame to accommodate the new pane. 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 hardware or home center store to get a piece cut of stock glass to the right size. You can cut the glass yourself if you possess the appropriate tools.

After installing the new pane, run a small bead of caulking around the edge to seal it against weather. Install a glazier's pointing on both sides of the frame. This will help secure the pane. The points shouldn't be too tight that they create friction between the frame and the sash However, they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty, make sure to knead it until it is soft and free of lumps. Then make it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip to the corner of the frame. Work from one corner to another to ensure it's even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are tiny triangular pieces of steel which help to secure the glass to the frame without causing any damage to the fragile surface. Knowing how to use these tiny pieces of help is simple and can save you money on professional installation or the cost of purchasing new glass.

After removing the old putty, glazier points as well as any remaining remnants clean the frame thoroughly with an utility knife. If needed, lightly sand the wood along grooves of the rabbet to smooth out rough spots. If you decide to sand the wood, make sure to protect it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

Note down the dimensions of the frame. Bring these measurements to an hardware store or home center and request that 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 push it into the frame with your hand. Utilize the chisel's point or the edge of the putty blade to smudge the glaziers' points as illustrated in Figure 11. After you're done, the points should be in line with the top edge of the pane, and the 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 new glass. This will protect and seal the edges. Allow it to dry and cure completely.

Install the new window sash after the glazing compound has dried. First, you need to 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 this 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 window replacement and glazier's tips into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches around the frame's perimeter.

Putty

A baseball thrown, a rock thrown in error or a branch falling could result in a broken or cracked window. Most windows can be repaired easily by putting in a new piece. The glass is held in position by a small metal clip, referred to as the glazier's point, and putty. This compound is also known as glazing compound. Before installing a replacement pane, first remove the old one and clean up the area using an abrasive and an abrasive scraper that is a pull type or the wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves while working. If the window is attached to the frame, you'll have to make use of a heat gun to soften the adhesive prior to taking it off.

If you are planning to replace Window pane your original sash, remove the molding that supports the old pane. Then sand the sash to make sure it's flat and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is put back in place, you can apply a silicone caulk over the glass. This will ensure that it won't get soiled or discolor Replace window Pane over time.

Take out the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash, where the glass is located. If they're difficult to chisel, hold an instrument like a heat gun over them for a few minutes to soften them. When using a heating tool, be careful to not scratch the sash and its railings.

Prepare a bed for your new pane after you have removed the old glaze and putty. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your hands, forming it into a 1/2-inch thick. Then, you can press it into the rabbets, where the glass will rest. It is essential that the glass sits on the putty in all places on both sides If you have to, lightly tap the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane has cracked, you can use a silicone caulk or a glass glue made from solvents to fill in the crack prior to pressing it in the sash. If the crack isn't sealed, you will need to apply putty to keep water from getting in. When the putty dries then clean the oily film off the glass with a rag and allow it to dry completely prior to painting. Paint before the putty is completely dry. It will not form a good seal and could be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

If you've experienced a broken window pane, then you may be worried about the cost of replacing it. It's true that replacing a single piece of glass doesn't need to be costly even if you do it your own. Even a double-paned window can be replaced for a fraction of the price it would cost an expert.

First, if you are working on a large-sized window, make sure it is securely fastened to the frame. Using the proper tools and techniques you can make this task relatively easy and fast.

If you're ready to begin, begin by removing the old window pane by prying out the glazing points of metal that are connected to it. These are tiny triangles of metal that function as "nails", holding the window within the frame. They are buried beneath a bead or glazing glue which hardens into a solid wedge which holds the wood frame in place and conceals the edges.

Once you have the old pane taken away Clean up the frame and wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used and sand the rabbet grooves in which the glazing points were placed. Sand them down to bare wooden surfaces, allowing you to paint the frames with the same shade. After sanding the wood then apply a layer of flax oil. This will help to extend its life.

Then, you need to measure the width of the window's opening. It is necessary to take vertical and horizontal measurements of the entire opening, as well as the thickness of the old pane. To get 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 changes. You can take 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.