How to replace window Pane Window Panes

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

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

Glass

If your single-pane windows are old damaged, cracked or deteriorating replacing them with more modern glass that is tempered or insulated can increase energy efficiency and reduce noise while preserving the historical integrity of older homes. The process of replacing windows is easy and can be completed by most homeowners who possess basic hand tools. You will also need an additional window pane, glazier's tips, pliers, and latex glaze putty. If you need to you may make use of a heat gun to warm the old putty. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to starting. Working with broken glass could cause serious injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. It is best to use pliers however a flathead could be useful equally. Use a wood chisel, or putty knife to get rid of any old putty remaining around the frame and the window sash. Take your time and replace window pane work slowly and be careful not to damage the old window sash. It is best to work using a sturdy ladder instead of the ground and have someone stand below the sash to help keep it in place.

Once you've removed all the old putty, prepare the window frame for the new pane. Take measurements of 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). Take these measurements to an hardware store or home center, and get a piece of stock glass cut to size. You can also cut the glass yourself if have the appropriate tools.

After installing the new glass After installing the glass, apply caulking around the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then install a glazier's point on the frame's opposite side to hold the pane in place. The points shouldn't be too tight that they cause friction between the sash and frame, but they also shouldn't be loose.

Before applying the putty work it in a gentle manner until it's soft and free of lumps. Make it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip to the corner of the frame. Work from one corner to another, making sure it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

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

After the old putty and glazier's points are removed and the frame is thoroughly cleaned using a utility knife to remove any remaining traces. If necessary you can lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves to smooth out rough areas. If you do sand your wood, ensure you protect it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

Write down the exact dimensions of the frame. These dimensions can be taken to a home center or hardware store and the new pane will be cut slightly smaller. This will ensure a snug fit, and allow for expansion and contraction.

Place the new window handles replacement in the frame and press it into the frame by using your hands. Then use the point of your chisel, or the back of the putty knife to tap in the glazier's facets, as shown in Figure 11. When you're done, they should be in line with the top edge of the pane, and the shoulders of the points should be below the rabbet's rim groove.

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

Install the new window sash after the glazing compound has dried. First, saturate the wood with a thick coat of linseed oil. This will keep the new putty from taking in the moisture and deteriorating and cracking with time. Apply the coat using a brush or the tip of your knife, then employ the chisel or back end from the putty knife to gently hammer the new sash and glazier's tips into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process every 10 inches around the frame's perimeter.

Putty

A baseball thrown at you or an unintentional rock, or a falling branch can cause a window to break or crack. Most windows can be repaired easily by installing a new piece. The glass is held in place with small clips made of metal called a glazier's point, and putty, also called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area using the rag, a pull-type scraper, or a wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while doing this work. If the window is glued to the frame, you'll need to use a heat gun to soften the adhesive prior to prying it free.

If you're planning to install the original sash, gently remove the molding pieces that are used to secure the old pane. Then sand the sash to ensure it's level and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is re-installed, apply a new silicone caulk around the glass to ensure it will not leak or change color as time passes.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets and the grooves in the sash that the glass sits. If they're difficult to cut, place an instrument like a heat gun over them to allow them to soften before. If you're using a heated gun, be cautious not to cause damage to the sash or its railings by using the tool too close.

Make a bed for your new pane after you have removed the old glaze points and putty. Roll a rope with glazing compound between your fingers, and make it around 1/2 inch thick. Then, you can press it into the rabbets, where the glass will sit. The glass must be positioned against the putty on both sides. If you need to gently tap your glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has cracked, you can use a silicone caulk or a glass glue based on solvents to fill in the crack before pressing it into the sash. In other cases, you'll need to putty over the crack to create an airtight seal and keep water out. After the putty has dried, wipe the oily film off of the glass and allow it to dry completely before painting. If you paint before the putty is fully dry, it will not form a solid seal and could be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

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

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

When you are ready to begin, remove the old window pane. Remove the metal glazing points attached to it. These are essentially small metal triangles that function as "nails" which hold the window in within the frame of wood. They are submerged beneath a layer of glazing putty that hardens into a solid, molded wedge which holds the window in place and conceals the window's points.

After you have removed the old pane taken away clean the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape off any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were. These should be sanded down to bare wood to allow you to paint them the same shade as the rest of the frame. After sanding, apply a coat of flax oil to the bare wood to help extend its lifespan.

Then, you need to measure the size of the window's opening. You will need to take horizontal and vertical measurements of the entire opening and also the thickness of the old pane. To determine the exact dimensions of the new pane subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. Take these dimensions to your local 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.