How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane could cause a lot of trouble. It could also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows to reap benefits like more comfort, higher potential for resales, and less costs.

You can do it yourself for a only a fraction of the cost it would cost to hire an expert. It requires the right tools and only an hour or two of your time.

Glass

replace window pane your old single-paned windows with tempered or insulation glass to improve the efficiency of your energy, reduce noise, and protect the historical integrity of your home's older. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can repair the window pane. In addition to a replacement pane, the following items are needed such as latex glazing putty; Glazier's points; pliers and an electric heater to warm the old putty, if necessary. Wear safety glasses and gloves before you begin. Working with broken glass could cause serious injuries.

Remove any broken glass pieces remaining. This is best done using pliers, though using flathead screwdrivers can be used in a pinch. After that, use a wood chisel or putty knife take the remainder of the old putty from the frame and sash. Be careful and slow and be careful not to damage the old window sash. It is a good idea to work using a sturdy ladder rather than on the ground, and to have someone stand below the sash in order to help hold it in place.

Make sure that the window frame is ready to accept the new pane when you have removed the old putty. Measure the width and height of the opening in the sash and subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). Bring these measurements to an hardware store or home center and get a piece of stock glass cut to size. You can cut the glass yourself if you have the right tools.

After putting in the new pane after installing the new pane, put a tiny amount of caulking around the edges to seal it against weather. Install a glazier’s point on both sides of the frame. This will secure the pane. The points shouldn't be too tight that they create friction between the frame and sash, but they should also not be loose.

Before applying the putty, work it in a gentle manner until it's soft and free of lumps. Roll it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be glued 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 tiny triangular pieces of metal that allow glass to be secured to the frame without causing damage to the delicate surface. Learning how to use these tiny helpers is simple and can save you money on a professional installation or the cost of buying new glass.

After taking off the old putty, glazier points, and any other remnants clean the frame thoroughly using an utility knife. If needed it is necessary to lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves to smooth rough areas. If you decide to sand the wood, ensure you protect it by using painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Write down the dimensions of the frame. Bring 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 that the pane fits snugly and allows for expansion and contraction.

Insert the new pane into the frame and press it down using your hands. Then, use the tip of your chisel or back end of the putty knife to make a tap on the glazier's points, as shown in Figure 11. After you're done, the points should be level with the top edge of the pane. the shoulders of the points should be below the lip of the rabbet groove.

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

Install the new window sash when the glazing compound has dried. The first step is to coat the wood with a thick coat of linseed oil. This will keep the new putty from taking in the moisture and Replace Window Pane deteriorating and cracking over time. Use a brush to apply this coat, or the point of the putty blade. Then use the chisel on the back of the tool or the back of the putty handle to gently hammer the new sash or glazier's point into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches along the frame's perimeter.

Putty

A baseball thrown, a rock thrown in error, or a tree falling could result in a broken or cracked window. Most windows can be replaced by putting in a new piece. The glass is held into position by a small metal clip, also known as a glazier's point and putty. This compound is also referred to as glazing compound. Before you install a new pane, first take out the old one and clean the area with the help of a rag, the pull-type paint scraper or a wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while you do this work. You'll need a heat gun in the event that the window is glued to the frame.

If you're planning to install the original sash, gently remove any pieces of molding that secure the old pane. Then, sand the sash to ensure it's level and ready to be re-caulked. Once the sash is installed, you can apply a silicone caulk to the glass. This will ensure that it doesn't leak over time or discolor.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets, the grooves in the sash, where the glass is. If they are hard to chisel, use an instrument such as a heating gun over them to soften first. If you're using a heating gun, be careful not to scratch the railings of the sash or the sash itself by placing the tool too tightly.

Prepare the bed for your new pane after removing the old glaze and putty. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your hands, forming it into a 1/2-inch thick. Press it into the rabbets where the glass will be placed. The glass must be positioned against the putty on both sides. If needed gently tap your glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can cover it with a solvent-based glass glue or silicone caulk before pressing it into the sash. In other cases, you'll need to putty over the crack to form a tight seal and keep water out. Once the putty is dry, wipe the oily film from the glass and allow it to dry completely before painting. If you paint before the putty is fully dry, it will not form an effective seal and could be leaking or discoloring in time.

Paint

If you've had a broken window pane, then you may be concerned about the expense of replacing it. In reality, replacing a single piece of glass doesn't need to be expensive when you do it on your own. In fact windows with double panes can be replaced for less than the cost of a professional.

If you are working on a large window, ensure that it is securely attached to the frame. This task can be made relatively simple and fast with the proper tools and techniques.

When you are ready to start, remove the old window glass replacement pane. Pry out the metal glazing points that are attached to it. These are essentially small metal triangles that function 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 hides the window's points.

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

Then, you need to measure the width of the window's 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 you get a precise size for the new pane. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass during seasons of changes. 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 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.