How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window can be a source of frustration. It could also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows to enjoy benefits such as more comfort, higher potential for resales, and less bills.

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 an hour or two of your time.

Glass

Replace your single-paned windows with tempered or insulation glass to improve energy efficiency, cut down on noise, and maintain the historical integrity of your old home. The majority of homeowners with basic hand tools can repair a window pane. You will also require a replacement glass for a window window pane, glazier's tips, pliers, and latex glazing putty. If you need to you may use a heating gun to warm the old putty. Before starting, wear gloves and safety glasses as working with broken glass may cause injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. This is best accomplished with the help of pliers though using a flathead screwdriver can also be used in a pinch. Make use of a wood chisel or putty knives, to take away any old putty that remains around the frame and window sash. Take your time and work slowly and be careful not to break the current window sash. It is a good idea to do this on a stable ladder instead of the ground and to place someone on the sash in order to help hold it in place.

Once you have removed all the old putty, it is time to prepare the window frame for the new pane. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction, subtract 1/8 inch each from the measurements of the width and height. These measurements can be sent to a home center or hardware store to have cut a piece of glass stock to the proper size. You can also cut the glass by yourself if you possess the right tools.

After installing 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 ensure the pane. The points should not be so tight that they cause friction between the sash and the frame but they shouldn't be too loose.

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

Glazier's Points

The glazier's facets are small triangular pieces that allow glass to be secured into a window frame without scratching or damaging the fragile surface. It's easy to learn how to use this secret tool, and you'll be able to save money on the expense of a professional installation.

After the old putty as well as the glazier's points have been removed and the frame is thoroughly cleaned with a knife to remove any remaining residue. If necessary you can lightly sand the wood along rabbet grooves to smooth out rough spots. If you do sand your wood, be sure to protect it with painter's tack to avoid accidental damage.

Write down the dimensions of the frame. These measurements can be taken to a home center or hardware store, and the new pane will be cut to a smaller size. This will ensure that the pane fits comfortably and allows for expansion and contraction.

Insert the new pane into the frame and push firmly using your hands. Then use the point of your chisel, or the back of the putty knife to pierce the glazier's facets, as shown in Figure 11. The glazier's points should sit flush against the top edge of your pane and the shoulders should be just below the lip.

Apply a thin bead of glazing compound over the edges of the glass that has been made and into the rabbet grooves to seal and protect them. Let it dry and cure completely.

After the glazing compound dries and the glazing compound is dry, you can install the new window sash. The first step is to coat the wood with a heavy coat of Linseed oil. This will stop the new putty from taking in the moisture and deteriorating and cracking over time. Apply this coat with a brush or the tip of your knife, then use the chisel or the back end of the knife to gently hammer in the new sash and glazier's point into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball that is thrown or a rock that is errant or a fallen branch can cause a window pane to break or crack. Most windows replacement near me can be repaired easily by putting in a new piece. The glass is held in place with small clips made of metal called a glazier's point and putty, often called glazing compound. Before you install a new pane, first get rid of the old one and clean the area using the help of a rag, a pull-type paint scraper or the wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while working. If the window is secured to the frame, you'll need employ a heat gun in order to soften the adhesive prior to prying it free.

If you're planning to install the original sash in the future, take care to remove any molding pieces that secure the old pane. Then, sand the sash to ensure it's level and ready to be re-caulked. After the sash has been put back in place then, you can apply a silicone caulk to the glass. This will ensure that it won't get soiled or discolor over time.

Take out the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash, where the glass is. If they're difficult to chisel, hold the hand tool, like a heat gun over them for a few minutes to soften them. If you're using a heating gun, be cautious not to scratch the railings of the sash or the sash itself by holding the tool too close.

Create a bed for your new pane by removing the old glaze points and putty. Roll a rope with glazing compound between your fingers and then make it about 1/2 inch thick. Then, push it into the rabbets in which the glass will rest. It is crucial that the glass is positioned against the putty in all places on each side, so if you need to do so, gently tap the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can use the silicone caulk or glass glue made from solvents to seal the crack prior to pressing it in the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you will need to apply putty to keep water from getting in. After the putty has dried remove the oily film from the glass and let it dry completely before painting. Paint after the putty has dried completely. It will not form a good seal and may discolor or leak over time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a broken pane of glass. It's true that replacing a single piece of glass doesn't have to be costly if you do it on your own. In fact even windows with double panes can be replaced at a fraction of the cost of an expert.

If you are working on a large window, make sure that it is securely fastened to the frame. This can be done relatively easy and quick with the proper tools and techniques.

When you are ready to start with the removal of the window pane. Remove the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles which function as "nails" that hold the window in place within the frame of wood. They are buried beneath a glaze putty or bead that sets to form an unbreakable wedge that holds the wood frame firmly in position and hides the sharp edges.

Once you have the old pane removed Clean up the frame and wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were. Sand them down to bare wooden surfaces so you can paint the frames the same shade. After sanding the wood you can apply a layer flax oil. This will help to extend its life.

Next, measure the dimensions of the window's opening. You'll need to take vertical and horizontal measurements of the entire opening, and also the thickness of the old pane. 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 in times of seasonal changes. 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.