How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane could be a nuisance. It can also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows and enjoy benefits such as more comfort, higher potential for resales, and less bills.

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

Glass

Replace window Pane your old single-paned windows using tempered or insulated glass to increase energy efficiency, reduce noise, and maintain the historic integrity of your home's older. The replacement of windows is easy and can be accomplished by homeowners with basic hand tools. Alongside a replacement pane, the following items are needed: latex glazing putty; glazier's points; pliers; and a heat gun for warming the old putty, if needed. Before beginning, wear protective gloves and goggles since working with broken glass may cause injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. It is best to use pliers for this, but a flathead can work as well. Then, use a wooden chisel or putty knife to remove the remaining old putty from around the frame and the sash. Work slowly and carefully making sure not to break the current window sash. It is best to work using a sturdy ladder rather than on the ground and have someone stand below the sash in order to help hold it steady.

Once you've removed all the old putty, prepare the window frame to accommodate the new pane. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction, subtract 1/8 inch each from the measurements of the width and height. Bring these measurements to an hardware store or home center and find a piece glass cut to size. Alternatively, you can cut the glass yourself if have the appropriate tools.

After installing the glass Apply caulking on the edges. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then install a glazier's point on the frame's opposite side to secure the pane into place. The points shouldn't be too tight as to cause friction between the sash and the frame, but they also shouldn't be loose.

Before applying the putty, work it in a gentle manner until it is 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 another to ensure it's even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier’s points are small triangular pieces of metal which help to secure the glass into the window frame without causing any damage to the fragile surface. Knowing how to use these hidden little helpers is easy and could save you money on a professional installation or the cost of new glass.

After the old putty and the glazier's point are gone, thoroughly clean the frame with a utility knife to eliminate any remaining traces. Lightly sand the frame in the rabbet grooves to smooth rough areas. If you decide to sand wood, cover it with painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Measure the empty frame's dimensions and note down precise measurements. These dimensions can be taken to a home center or hardware store, and the new frame will be cut a bit smaller. This will ensure that the pane fits comfortably and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and press it down using your hands. Make use of the point of the chisel, or the back of the putty knife to tap the glazier's points, as shown in Figure 11. When you're done taping, they should be flush with the top edge of the pane and the shoulders of the points should be just below the lip of the rabbet groove.

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

Once the glazing compound has dried, you're ready to install the new window sash. First, saturate the wood with a thick coat of Linseed oil. This will prevent the new putty from drying out and cracking due to the moisture it absorbs. Use a brush to apply this coat, or the tip of the blade. Then, use the chisel that is on the back of the tool or the back of the handle to gently hit the new sash, or glazier's tip into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches along the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown at you, an errant rock or a falling branch can cause a window replacement near me pane to break or crack. Most windows can be replaced easily by installing a new piece. The glass is held into place by a small metal clip, called the glazier's point, replace window pane and putty. This compound is also referred to as glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area with a rag, a scraper that is a pull type or a wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while you do this work. You'll need a heating gun when the window is fixed into the frame.

If you're planning to install the original sash in the future, take care to remove the molding pieces that hold the old pane in place. Then sand the sash to ensure it's smooth and ready for a new caulk. Once the sash is reinstalled it is possible to apply a silicone caulk to the glass. This will ensure that it doesn't leak over time or discolor.

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets and the grooves in the sash where the glass is. If they're hard to chisel out, try holding the hand tool, such as a heat gun to soften them first. If you're using a heating gun, make sure not to damage the railings or sash by holding the tool too tightly.

Prepare a bed for your new pane after removing the old glaze points and putty. Roll a rope made of glazing compound between your fingers and then make it about 1/2 inch thick. Then, press it into the rabbets in which the glass will be. The glass must be positioned against the putty on both sides. If needed you want to tap your glass lightly into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack then you can seal it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk prior pressing it into the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you'll require putty to keep the water out. After the putty has dried remove the oily film off of the glass and let it dry completely before you paint. Paint after the putty is completely dry. It will not form a good seal and may discolor or leak 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 have to be expensive even if you do it your own. In fact even windows with double panes can be replaced for only a fraction of the cost of an expert.

First, replace window pane if you are working on a large window, ensure that it is securely fixed to the frame. By using the correct tools and techniques to make this task relatively easy and fast.

When you are ready to start taking down the old window pane. Pry out the metal glazing points that are attached to it. These are tiny metal triangles that function as "nails" to hold the window in the frame. They are buried beneath a bead or glazing glue that sets to form a solid wedge that holds the frame in place and conceals the edges.

After removal of the old pane clean the frame and wood. Scrape off any old paint and sand the rabbet grooves that the glazing points were. Sand them down to bare wood surfaces, so that you can paint the frames the same shade. After sanding, apply a coat of flax oil to the bare wood to help extend its lifespan.

Then, you need to measure the width of the window opening. It is necessary to take horizontal and vertical measurements of the entire opening as well as 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. You can bring these measurements to a hardware store 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.