How to Replace Window Panes

A cracked window pane can be a source of frustration. It could also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows to reap benefits like improved comfort, increased resale value and reduced utility costs.

This is a project you could take on yourself for less than the cost of hiring a professional. It requires the right tools and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

Replace window Pane your single-paned windows with tempered or insulate glass to improve energy efficiency, cut down on noise, and protect the historic integrity of your home's older. The replacement double glazed window of windows is easy and can be completed by most homeowners who possess basic hand replace window Pane tools. Alongside a replacement pane, the following tools are required such as latex glazing putty; Glazier's points; pliers and the use of a heat gun to warm the old putty, if needed. Before starting, wear protective gloves and goggles since working with broken glass may cause injuries.

Take out any broken glass pieces that remain. It is recommended to use pliers for this however, a flathead may be useful equally. Use a wood chisel, or putty knives, to take away any remaining old putty around the frame and the window sash. Work slowly and carefully and be careful not to break the current window sash. This can be done best on an elevated ladder, not on the ground. Also, ensure that someone below the sash keep it in place.

Make sure the window frame is ready to receive the new pane after you have removed the old putty. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction and contraction, subtract 1/8 inch from the measurements of the width and height. These measurements can be taken to a home center or hardware store to have an item cut from glass that is in stock to the correct size. Alternatively, you can cut the glass yourself if you have the tools you need.

After installing the new glass After installing the glass, apply caulking on the edges. This will make the glass weatherproof. 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 cause friction between the frame and the sash, but they should also not be loose.

Before applying the putty make sure to knead it until it's soft and free of lumps. Roll it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be placed to the corner of the frame, working from one corner to the next to ensure it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular pieces of steel which help to secure the glass into the window frame without causing damage to the delicate surface. It's easy to understand how to use this secret tool and you can save money on the expense of an installation by a professional.

Once the old putty and glazier's points are removed, thoroughly clean the frame using a utility knife to get rid of any remaining residue. If necessary, lightly sand the wood along rabbet grooves to smooth rough spots. If you decide to sand the wood, make sure to protect it with painter's tack to avoid accidental damage.

Take measurements of the empty frame and record precise measurements. These measurements can be taken to an hardware or home centers 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.

Insert the new pane into the frame and push it in with your hands. Use the chisel's point, or the edge of the putty blade to tap 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. the shoulders of the points should be below the lip of the rabbet groove.

Apply a thin layer of glazing compound to the rabbet grooves as well as the edges of 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, coat the wood with a thick coat of Linseed oil. This will keep the new putty from taking in the moisture and deteriorating and cracking over time. Use a brush to apply this coat, or the tip of the blade. Then, use the chisel on the back of the putty tool or the back of the handle to gently hammer the new sash or glazier's point into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown at you or a rock that is errant or falling branch could cause a window to crack or break. Most windows can be replaced easily by simply putting in a fresh piece. The glass is held into the position with a tiny metal clip, referred to as a glazier’s point and putty. This compound is also referred to as glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area using an abrasive, scraper that is a pull type or a wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves when you work. If the window is attached to the frame, you'll need make use of a heat gun to soften the adhesive prior to cutting it loose.

If you're planning to install the original sash, gently remove any pieces of molding that hold the old pane in place. Then you can sand the sash down to ensure it's smooth and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is re-installed then, apply a new caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure that it won't leak or discolor in time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash, which is where the glass is located. If they are hard to chisel, use the hand tool, such as a heating gun over them for a few minutes to soften them. If you're using a heat gun, be cautious not to scratch the railings of the sash or the sash itself by placing the tool too close.

Once the old glaze points and putty have been removed, prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, and form it to be around 1/2-inch thick. Press it into the rabbets, where the glass will be put. It's important that the glass sits on the putty on both sides So if you have to, lightly tap the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can cover it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk prior pressing it into the sash. In other cases, you'll need to putty over the crack to form an impervious seal to keep water out. When the putty dries, clean the oily film off the glass with an abrasive and allow it to completely dry before painting. Paint before the putty has dried completely. It won't form a good seal and may be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a broken piece of glass. It's true that replacing a single pane glass doesn't have to be costly if you do it on your own. In fact even windows replacement with double panes can be replaced for only a fraction of the cost of a professional.

If you're working with large glass windows first, ensure that it is securely attached to the frame. This task can be made relatively simple and fast with the appropriate tools and techniques.

When you're ready to start taking off the old window pane by removing the glazing points of metal that are connected to it. These are essentially small metal triangles that function as "nails" that hold the window in place in the wood frame. They are buried beneath a glaze putty or bead that hardens to an unbreakable wedge which holds the wood frame firmly in position and hides the sharp edges.

After you have removed the old pane removed, clean up the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape away any old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points used to be. They should be sanded to bare wood to allow you to paint them the same color as the rest of the frame. After sanding the wood, apply a layer of flax oil. This will help prolong the life of the frame.

Next, measure the dimensions of the window 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 have the exact size for the new pane. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. You can take these measurements to a hardware store or home improvement shop 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.