How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window can be a nuisance. This could be an opportunity to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones to enjoy benefits like increased comfort, increased resale values and reduced utility bills.

You can do it yourself at less than what it would cost to hire an expert. You'll need only the proper tools and a few minutes of your time.

Glass

If your single pane windows are old broken, deteriorating or damaged replacing them with modern insulated or tempered glass can improve energy efficiency and reduce noise while also preserving the original character of older homes. The replacement of the window glass replacements pane is easy and can be accomplished by anyone with basic hand tools. In addition to a replacement pane, the following items are required for the replacement process: latex glazing putty glazier's points; pliers; and a heat gun for warming the old putty if required. Wear safety goggles and gloves before you begin. Working with broken glass could result in serious injuries.

Take out any broken glass pieces that remain. This is best done using the help of pliers however, flathead screwdrivers can be used in the pinch. Then, use a wooden chisel or putty knife to take the remainder of the old putty from the frame and the sash. Be careful not to break the window sash. Take your time and work slowly. It is best to work on a stable ladder rather than on the ground and to have someone stand below the sash in order to help hold it steady.

After you have removed all of the old putty, you can prepare the window frame for 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). Take these measurements to an hardware store or home center and get a piece of stock glass cut to size. You can cut the glass yourself if you possess the right tools.

After installing the new glass Window replacements Apply some caulking around the edge. 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 as to cause friction between the sash and frame but they should not be too loose.

Before applying the putty make sure to knead it until it is smooth and free of lumps. Roll 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 facets are small triangular pieces of metal which help to secure glass into a window frame without scratching or damaging the fragile surface. Knowing how to use these tiny helpers is simple and can save you money on a professional installation or the cost of buying new glass.

After the old putty as well as the glazier's point are gone Clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife to get rid of any remaining residue. If needed you can lightly sand the wood along the grooves of the rabbet to smooth rough spots. If you do sand the wood, be sure to protect it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

Take measurements of the empty frame and note down precise measurements. Take these measurements to an hardware store or home center and request that the new pane made slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a snug fit, and allow for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and press it in place with your hand. Make use of the point of the chisel or the back of the putty knife to tap in the glaziers' points as illustrated in Figure 11. When you're done, they should be level with the top edge of the pane. the shoulders of the points should be below the rabbet's rim groove.

Apply a thin layer of glazing compound on the rabbet grooves and the edges of new glass. This will protect and seal the edges. Let it 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 layer of linseed. This will prevent the new putty from soaking up the moisture and deteriorating and cracking with 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 hammer the new sash or glazier's point into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches along the frame's perimeter.

Putty

A baseball thrown or a rock thrown by error or a branch falling can cause a broken or cracked window. Luckily, most windows can be easily replaced by simply placing a new piece of glass in its the proper place. The glass is held into position by a small metal clip, referred to as a glazier's point and putty. This compound is also referred to as glazing compound. Before you install a new pane, first remove the old one and clean up the area with a rag and the pull-type paint scraper or an abrasive wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves while you do this work. You'll need a heating gun if the window is glued to the frame.

If you're planning to reinstall your original sash, you must remove the mold that holds the old pane. Then sand the sash 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 it will not leak or change color over time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets, or the grooves in the sash where the glass sits. If they're difficult to work out, try holding a hand tool like a heat gun over them to soften them up first. If you're using a heat gun, be careful not to damage the railings of the sash or the sash itself by placing the tool too tightly.

Prepare a bed for your new pane after removing the old putty and glazing points. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your fingers, and make it about 1/2 inch thick. Place it into the rabbets where the glass will be placed. The glass must be positioned against the putty on both sides. If necessary you want to tap your glass lightly into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack then you can seal it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk prior pressing it into the sash. If the crack isn't sealed, you will need to use putty to keep water out. After the putty has dried clean the oily film off of the glass and allow it to dry completely before you paint. If you paint before the putty is completely dry, it will not form an effective seal and could be leaking or discoloring in time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a damaged piece of glass. But the truth is that replacing one glass pane does not have to break the bank If you can do it yourself. Even a double-paned window can be replaced at a fraction of the cost it costs a professional.

If you are working with large glass windows replacement glass, first make sure it is securely fixed to the frame. By using the correct tools and techniques you can make this task relatively easy and quick.

When you are ready to begin taking down the old window pane. Pry out the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. These are tiny triangles of metal that act as "nails" to hold the window within the frame. They are submerged beneath a bead or glazing glue that hardens to an unbreakable wedge that holds the wood frame securely in place and hides the points.

Once you have the old pane removed clean the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape off any old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves in which the glazing points were. These should be sanded to bare wood so that you can paint them the same color as the rest the frame. After sanding, apply a layer of flax oil to the wood that is not sanded down to help extend its lifespan.

Then, take measurements of the dimensions of the window opening. It is necessary to measure the horizontal and vertical 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 allow for seasonal changes in the glass. Take these dimensions to a hardware or home improvement store and ask them to cut you 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.