How to replace window Pane Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window can be a nuisance. It can also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows, and benefit from more comfort, higher the value of resales and lower utility costs.

It's a project you can tackle yourself at less than the cost of hiring a professional. It requires the right equipment and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

If your single-pane windows are outdated damaged, cracked or deteriorating, replacing them with newer glass that is tempered or insulated will increase energy efficiency and decrease noise while preserving the historical integrity of older homes. The replacement window seals of a window pane is relatively easy and can be completed by homeowners with basic hand tools. You will also need an additional window pane, glazier's tips pliers, and latex glaze putty. If necessary you can make use of a heat gun to warm the old putty. 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 for this however a flathead could be useful as well. After that, use a wood chisel, or putty knife, to remove the remaining old putty from the frame and sash. Take your time and work slowly, taking care not to break the current window sash. This is best done on a ladder, not the ground. Also, have someone lower to hold it steady.

Once you have removed all of the old putty, prepare the window frame to fit the new pane. Take measurements of the width and height of the sash opening, subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). Take these measurements to a hardware store or home center, and get a piece of stock glass cut to size. You can also cut the glass by yourself if you 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 secure the pane into place. The points should not be so tight as to cause friction between the sash and frame, but they also shouldn't be too loose.

Before applying the putty to the surface, you must knead it thoroughly until it becomes soft and free of lumps. Roll it into pencil-sized strips. Place the first strip in the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to the next so that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are the tiny triangular pieces of steel that help secure glass into the frame of a window without damaging or scratching the delicate surface. It's simple to learn how to use this nefarious tool and you can save money on the expense of a professional installation.

After removing the old putty, glazier points as well as any remaining residue clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife. If needed you can lightly sand the wood along rabbet grooves to smooth rough spots. 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 measurements can be brought to a home center or hardware store, and the new pane will be cut a bit smaller. This will ensure that the pane fits comfortably and allows for expansion and contraction.

Insert the new pane into the frame and press it down 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 illustrated in Figure 11. When you're done taping, they should be flush with the top edge of the pane. the shoulders of the points should be below the lip of the rabbet groove.

Apply a thin bead of glazing compound over the edges of the new glass and in the rabbet grooves to seal and protect them. Let it dry and cure fully.

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 prevent the newly-created putty from drying out or cracking due to the moisture it absorbs. Apply this coat with a brush or the tip of your putty knife, and then use the chisel, or the back end of the putty knife to gently press the new sash and glazier's tips into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches around the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

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

If you're planning to install your original sash, you must remove the mold that holds the old pane. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready to receive new caulk. After the sash has been installed, you can apply a silicone caulk over the glass. This will ensure that it won't be leaking or fade over time.

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets, or the grooves in the sash where the glass sits. If they're difficult to chisel, hold the hand tool, such as a heatgun over them to soften first. If you're using a heating gun, be careful not to damage the sash or its railings by holding the tool too closely.

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

If the new pane has a crack then you can seal it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk prior Replace window pane to pressing it into the sash. Otherwise, you'll need to apply putty on the crack to create an airtight seal and keep water out. After the putty has dried remove the oily film off of the glass and allow it to dry completely before painting. Paint after the putty has completely dried. It will not form a good seal and may be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

If you've experienced a broken window pane, then you may be worried about the cost of a new one. However, replacing one glass pane does not 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 costs an expert.

If you're working with large glass windows first ensure it is securely attached to the frame. This is relatively easy and fast using the proper tools and techniques.

When you are ready to begin taking down the old window pane. Take out the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles which function as "nails" that keep the window in in the wood frame. They are submerged beneath a layer of glazing putty, which hardens into a solid, molded wedge that secures the window in place and hides the window's points.

After you have the old pane removed clean the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape away any old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were. Sand them to bare wooden surfaces, allowing you to paint the frames with the same color. After sanding, apply a layer of flax oil to the wood that is not sanded down to prolong its life.

Next, measure the width of the window opening. It is necessary to take vertical and horizontal measurements of the entire opening as well as the thickness of the old pane. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure that you get a precise size for the new pane. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. Bring these measurements to the hardware or home improvement store, and they will 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.