How to Replace Window Pane Window Panes

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

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

Glass

Replace your old single-paned windows using tempered or insulated glass to increase energy efficiency, reduce noise, and maintain the historical integrity of your home's older. The process of replacing the window pane is simple and can be done by homeowners with basic hand tools. You will also require a replacement double glazed windows window pane, glazier's tips pliers, and latex glaze putty. If necessary you may use a heating gun to warm the old putty. Before starting, wear gloves and safety goggles as working with broken glass can cause injuries.

Remove any broken glass pieces that remain. It is best to use pliers for this, but a flathead can be useful as well. Then, use a wooden chisel or putty knife remove the remaining old putty from the frame and sash. Take your time and work slowly making sure not to break the existing window sash. It is best to do this using a sturdy ladder rather than on the ground and to have someone stand below the sash to help hold it steady.

Make sure the window frame is ready to receive the new pane once you have removed the old putty. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction and contraction, subtract 1/8 inch from the measurements of width and height. Bring these measurements to an hardware store or home center, and have a piece of stock glass cut to size. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself, if you have the tools you need.

After installing the new pane, run a small bead of caulking around the edge to ensure it is weatherproof. Install a glazier's point on both sides of the frame. This will ensure the pane. The points should not be tight enough to cause friction between the frame and sash however they should not be loose.

Before putting the putty on, make sure to knead it until it is smooth and free of lumps. Then you can roll it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip to the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to the other to ensure it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular pieces of steel that help secure the glass to the frame without damaging the delicate surface. Knowing how to use these tiny helpers is simple and could save you money on professional installation or the cost of new glass.

After getting rid of the old putty glazier points as well as any remaining remnants clean the frame thoroughly with an utility knife. If needed, lightly sand the wood along grooves of the rabbet to smooth rough areas. If you decide to sand wood, cover it with painter's tape to protect it from damage caused by accidental sanding.

Write down the dimensions of the frame. Bring these measurements to a hardware store or home center and request that the new pane cut slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure that the pane fits perfectly and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new window in the frame and press it into the frame with your hand. Then, you can use the point of your chisel or the back of the putty knife to tap in the glazier's points as shown in Figure 11. The glazier's points should be aligned with the top edge of your pane, and the shoulders raised should be just beneath that lip.

Apply a small amount of glazing compound over the edges of the new glass and into the rabbet grooves to seal and protect them. Allow it to dry and cure completely.

Install the new window sash once the glazing compound has dried. First, coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will prevent the newly-created putty from drying out and cracking when it absorbs moisture. Use a brush to apply this coat, or even 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 smash the new sash or glazier's point into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown at you, an errant rock or a fallen branch can cause a window to break or crack. Fortunately, the majority of windows can be replaced by simply putting a brand new piece of glass in its the proper place. The glass is held in place with tiny metal clips known as a glazier's point and putty, which is often called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area using a rag, a pull-type scraper or wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves when working. You'll require a heat gun when the window is fixed into the frame.

If you plan to reinstall the original sash, remove the molding pieces that hold the old pane in place. Then sand the sash to ensure it's level and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is re-installed and sanded, apply a fresh silicone caulk around the glass to ensure that it won't leak or discolor over time.

Take out the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves in the sash, where the glass is. If they're difficult to cut out, try holding a hand tool like a heat gun over them to soften them first. If you're using a heat gun, make sure not to cause damage to the sash or its railings by holding the tool too close.

After the old points of glazing and putty are removed, make a bed for the new pane. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, shaping it to be about 1/2-inch thick. Place it into the rabbets where the glass will be placed. It's important that the glass sits on the putty on both sides So if you have to do so, gently tap the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked you can fill 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 airtight seal and keep water out. After the putty has dried remove the oily film from the glass and allow it to dry completely before you paint. If you paint before the putty is completely dry, it won't form an effective seal and could discolor or leak over time.

Paint

If you've had a broken window pane, you might be concerned about the expense of replacing it. However, replacing a single glass pane doesn't have to break the bank If you can do it yourself. Even a double-paned window can be replaced for a fraction of what it would cost for a professional.

If you are working with large glass windows, first make sure it is securely fixed to the frame. With the right tools and techniques, you can complete this task easily and quick.

Once you're ready to begin taking off the old window pane by prying out the metal glazing points that are attached to it. These are essentially small metal triangles that act as "nails" which hold the window in in the wood frame. They are placed beneath a layer of glazing putty, which transforms into a solid formed wedge that secures the window in place and conceals the points.

After taking off the old pane clean the frame and wood. Scrape off any old paint and sand the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were placed. These should be sanded down to bare wood, so that you can paint them the same shade as the rest of the frame. After sanding, apply a layer of flax oil on the wood's surface to extend the life of the frame.

The next step is to determine the size of the window opening. You'll need to determine the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the entire opening as well as the thickness. To determine the exact size of the new pane, subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass in times of seasonal change. You can bring these measurements to a hardware store or home improvement shop and get 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.