How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged replacement window glass near me pane can be an inconvenience. It could be a chance to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones to enjoy benefits such as improved comfort, increased resale value and reduced utility costs.

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

Glass

Replace your old single-paned windows using tempered or insulate glass to improve energy efficiency, reduce noise, and protect the historic integrity of your older home. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can replace a window pane. You will also require an extra window pane, glazier's tips pliers, and latex glaze putty. If needed, you can use a heatgun to warm the old putty. Wear safety glasses and gloves prior to beginning. Working with broken glass could result in serious injuries.

Remove any broken glass pieces that remain. This is best done using pliers, however, a flathead screwdriver can also be used in a pinch. Use a wood chisel, or putty knives to remove any old putty that remains around the frame and window sash. Take your time and work slowly making sure not to break the current window sash window replacement. This is best done on a ladder, not on the ground. Also, you should have someone on the ground to hold it steady.

Make sure that the window frame is ready to accept the new pane when you have removed the old putty. Find the width and the height of the opening for the sash by subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). Bring these measurements to the nearest 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 right tools.

After installing the new 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 ensure the pane. The points should not be so tight that they cause friction between the frame and the sash However, they should not be loose.

Before putting the putty on, knead it thoroughly until it is soft and free of lumps. Then, roll it into pencil-size strips. Apply the first strip to the frame's corner. Work from corner to corner and ensure that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's facets are tiny triangular pieces of steel which help to secure glass into the frame of a window without scratching or damaging the fragile surface. It's easy to learn how to use this hidden tool, and you'll save money on the cost of a professional installation.

Once the old putty and glazier's points are removed Clean the frame thoroughly with a utility knife to eliminate any remaining residue. If necessary it is necessary to lightly sand the wood in the grooves of the rabbets to smooth rough areas. If you decide to sand the wood, make sure to protect it by using painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Write down the dimensions of the frame. Take these dimensions to an hardware store or home center and request that the new pane cut smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a tight fit, and allow for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane in the frame and push it in place using your hand. Use the point of the chisel, or the back of the putty blade to tap the glaziers' points as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's points should be aligned with the top edge of your pane and the raised shoulders should be just below that lip.

Apply a thin layer of glazing compound on the edges of the new glass and into the rabbet grooves, to seal and protect them. Allow this to dry and cure completely.

Install the new window sash once the glazing compound has dried. The first step is to coat the wood with a thick coat of Linseed oil. This will stop the new putty from drying out and cracking due to the moisture it absorbs. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or even the tip of the putty blade. Then use the chisel on the back of the tool or the back of the handle to gently hammer the new sash or glazier's tip into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process every 10 inches around the frame's perimeter.

Putty

A baseball thrown or a rock thrown by error, or a fallen tree can result in a cracked or cracked window. Fortunately, the majority of windows can be replaced by simply putting a brand new piece in the proper place. The glass is held into the position with a tiny metal clip, nearest referred to as a glazier's point and putty. This compound is also called glazing compound. Before installing a new pane, first remove the old one and clean up the area using a rag and a pull-type paint scraper or an abrasive wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while doing this work. If the window is glued to the frame, you'll have to use a heat gun to soften the adhesive prior to taking it off.

If you are planning to replace the original sash, take off the molding that holds the old pane. Then you can sand the sash down to make sure it's flat and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is re-installed and sanded, apply a fresh silicone caulk to the glass to ensure it doesn't swell or fade as time passes.

Remove the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash where the glass is. If they're hard to chisel, hold an instrument like a heat gun over them for a few minutes to soften them. If you're using a heat gun, be cautious not to scratch the sash or its railings by using the tool too tightly.

Once the old glaze points and putty are 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. Place it into the rabbets where the glass will be put. It's important that the glass rests against the putty on each side, so if you need to tap it, gently press the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack, you can cover it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk before pressing it into the sash. Otherwise, you'll need to apply putty on the crack to create an impervious seal to keep water out. After the putty has dried and the film is oily, wipe it off the glass with a rag and allow it to dry completely prior to painting. If you paint before the putty is completely dry, it will not form a strong seal and may leak or discolor in time.

Paint

If you've suffered a break in a window pane, you might be worried about the cost of replacing it. The truth is, replacing a single piece of glass doesn't need to be expensive when you do it on your own. In fact, even a double-pane window can be replaced at a fraction of the cost of a professional.

If you are working with large glass windows, first make sure it is securely attached to the frame. This task can be done relatively easy and fast using the appropriate tools and techniques.

Once you're ready to begin, begin by removing the old window by removing the glazing points of metal that are connected to it. These are basically small metal triangles which function as "nails" which hold the window in within the frame of wood. They are buried under a bead of glazing putty that hardens into a solid, molded wedge which holds the window in place and hides the edges.

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

Next, measure the size of the window's opening. You'll need to determine the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the entire opening as well as the thickness. 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 change. You can take these measurements to a hardware 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.