How to Replace Window Panes

A cracked window pane is an inconvenience. It can also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows and reap benefits like greater comfort, a higher resale value and reduced utility bills.

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

Glass

Replace your single-paned windows using tempered or insulation glass to improve the efficiency of your energy, reduce noise, and protect the historical integrity of your home's older. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can replace window pane the window pane. Alongside a replacement handles for upvc windows pane, the following components are needed such as latex glazing putty; glazier's points; pliers; and an electric heater to warm the old putty, if necessary. 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 a pair of pliers, but a flathead screwdriver may be effective in a pinch. Use a wood chisel, or putty knives, to take away any old putty remaining around the frame and window sash. Work slowly and carefully and be careful not to break the current window sash. It is a good idea to work on a stable ladder instead of the ground and have someone standing below the sash in order to help hold it in place.

After you have removed all of the old putty, it is time to prepare the window frame to fit the new pane. Measure the width and height of the sash opening, 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. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself if you have the appropriate tools.

After installing the new glass After installing the glass, apply some caulking to the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Install a glazier's pointing on both sides of the frame. This will ensure the pane. The points shouldn't be so tight that they create friction between the frame and the sash However, they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty, work it in a gentle manner until it is smooth and free of lumps. Make it into pencil-sized strips. Place the first strip in the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to the other to ensure it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular metal pieces that allow glass to be secured into the window frame without damaging the delicate surface. Understanding how to use these little helpers is easy and can save you money on a professional installation or the cost of buying new glass.

After taking off the old putty, glazier points, and any other remnants Clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife. If necessary you can lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves to smooth out rough spots. If you sand wood, cover it with painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Take measurements of the empty frame and record precise measurements. These dimensions can be taken to the hardware or home center store and the new pane will be cut slightly smaller. This will ensure a tight fit and will allow room for expansion and contraction.

Insert the new pane into the frame and push it in using your hands. Then use the point of your chisel or the back end of the putty knife to pierce the glazier's points as illustrated in Figure 11. When you're done taping, they should be in line with the top edge of the pane, and the shoulders that are raised of the points should be below the lip of the rabbet groove.

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

Install the new window sash when the glazing compound has dried. The first step is to coat the wood with a thick coat of linseed oil. This will keep the new putty from taking up the moisture and drying out and cracking over time. Use a brush to apply this coat, or the point of the putty blade. Then use the chisel that is on the back of the putty tool or the back of the handle to gently hit the new sash, or glazier's tip into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.

Putty

A baseball that is thrown or a rock that is errant or a falling branch can cause a window to break or crack. Fortunately, windows can be easily replaced by simply putting a brand new piece in place. The glass is held in place using a small metal clip called a glazier's point, and putty, also called glazing compound. Before you install a new pane, first remove the old one and clean up the area using a rag and a pull-type paint scraper or the wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves when you work. If the window is glued to the frame, you'll need make use of a heat gun to soften the adhesive before taking it off.

If you are planning to replace your original sash, remove the molding that holds the old pane. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready to receive new caulk. Once the sash is reinstalled it is possible to apply a silicone caulk to the glass. This will ensure that it doesn't leak over time or discolor.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets. These are the grooves in the sash, where the glass is located. If they're hard to chisel out, you can try holding a hand tool like a heat gun to soften them before you do. If you're using a heat gun, be careful not to cause damage to the railings or replace window pane sash by placing the tool too close.

Make the bed for your new pane after removing the old glaze and putty. Roll a rope with glazing compound between your fingers and then make it about 1/2 inch thick. Then, press it into the rabbets in which the glass will rest. The glass should rest against the putty on both sides. If needed gently tap your glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane has damaged, you can use a silicone caulk or glass glue based on solvents to cover the crack prior to pressing it in the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you'll need to use putty to keep water out. After the putty is dry and the film is oily, wipe it off the glass using an abrasive and allow it to completely dry before painting. Paint before the putty has completely dried. It will not create a solid seal and could be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a broken pane of glass. The truth is, replacing a single pane glass doesn't need to be costly when you do it on your own. In fact windows with double panes can be replaced at less than the cost of a professional.

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

If you're ready to begin with the removal of the old window by prying out the metal glazing points that are attached to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles which function as "nails" that keep the window in within the frame of wood. They are submerged beneath a bead or glazing putty which hardens into solid wedge that holds the frame in place and hides the points.

After taking off the old pane clean the frame and the wood. Scrape off any old paint and sand the rabbet grooves in which the glazing points were placed. Sand them down to clean wooden surfaces so you can paint the frames the same shade. After sanding the wood, apply a layer of flax oil. This will help to prolong the life of the frame.

Next, measure the width of the window opening. It is necessary to measure 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 during seasons of changes. Bring these measurements to a hardware or home improvement store and ask them to cut you a piece 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.