How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane can be an issue. It can also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows to reap benefits like more comfort, higher potential for resales, and less bills.

You can do it yourself at less than what it would cost to employ an expert. You'll only require the right tools and a few hours of your time.

Glass

If your single pane windows are old, deteriorating or broken replacing them with more modern glass that is tempered or insulated will increase energy efficiency and decrease noise while also preserving the original character of older homes. The procedure of replacing the window pane is easy and can be accomplished by homeowners with basic hand tools. You will also need an additional window pane, glazier's suggestions, pliers, and latex glazing putty. If you need to you may use a heating gun to warm the old putty. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to starting. Working with broken glass could result in serious injuries.

Remove any broken glass pieces remaining. This is best accomplished with the help of pliers though using flathead screwdrivers can work in the pinch. Make use of a wood chisel or putty knife to get rid of any remaining old putty around the frame and the window sash. Work slowly and carefully making sure not to break the current window sash. This can be done best on a ladder, not on the ground. Also, you should have someone lower to hold it steady.

Make sure the window frame is ready to receive the new pane after you have removed the old glue. Find the width and the 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. 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 Replacement glass in windows weatherproof. Install a glazier's point on both sides of the frame. This will help secure the pane. The points shouldn't be so tight that they cause friction between the frame and sash However, they should not be loose.

Before putting the putty on, knead it thoroughly until it is smooth and free of lumps. Cut it into pencil-sized pieces. 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 points are tiny triangular pieces of metal which help to secure the glass to the frame without causing damage to the delicate surface. Learning how to use these tiny pieces of help is simple and can save you money on professional installation or the cost of new glass.

After the old putty and the glazier's point are gone Clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife to eliminate any remaining residue. If needed, lightly sand the wood along rabbet grooves to smooth rough spots. If you decide to sand the wood, ensure you protect it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

Measure the empty frame's dimensions and record precise measurements. Take these measurements to a hardware store or home center and have the new pane cut slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a snug fit and will allow room for expansion and contraction.

Place the new window in the frame and push it into the frame using your hand. Then, use the tip of your chisel or the back end of the putty knife to pierce the glazier's points, as shown in Figure 11. The glazier's point should be flush against the top edge of your pane, and the shoulders should be just beneath that lip.

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

Install the new window sash when the glazing compound has dried. First, coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will stop the new putty from drying out or cracking when it absorbs moisture. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or the point of the blade. Then use the chisel on the back of the putty tool or the back of the handle to gently hit the new replacement sash windows, or glazier's point into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches along the frame's perimeter.

Putty

A baseball thrown or a rock thrown in error, or a tree falling can cause a broken or cracked window. Fortunately, the majority of windows can be easily replaced by simply putting a new piece of glass in its place. The glass is held in place by a small metal clip, called a glazier’s point and putty. This compound is also known as glazing compound. Before you install a new pane, first take out the old one and clean the area using an abrasive and a pull-type paint scraper or the wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves when working. If the window is secured to the frame, you'll need to make use of a heat gun to soften the adhesive before taking it off.

If you are planning to install your original sash, remove the molding that supports the old pane. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready to receive new caulk. After the sash has been re-installed and sanded, apply a fresh silicone caulk to the glass to ensure it doesn't swell or fade in time.

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets and the grooves in the sash, where the glass sits. If they are hard to cut, place the hand tool, like a heat gun over them to allow them to soften before. When using a heated tool, make sure to not damage the sash or its railings.

After the old glazing points and putty have been removed prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope made of glazing compound between your fingers and make it around 1/2 inch thick. Then, push it into the rabbets in which the glass will be. The glass must rest against the putty on both sides. If necessary, lightly tap your glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can use a silicone caulk or a glass glue based on solvents to seal the crack prior to pressing it in the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you will require putty to keep water out. After the putty is dry and the film is oily, wipe it off the glass with an abrasive and allow it to dry completely before painting. Paint before the putty has dried completely. It won't make a strong seal and may discolor or leak over time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a broken pane of glass. However, replacing one glass pane does not need to cost a fortune If you can do it yourself. Even a double-paned window could be replaced for a fraction of what it will cost a professional.

If you're working with a large glass window first ensure it is securely attached to the frame. Using the proper tools and techniques to complete this task easily and quick.

When you're ready to start taking off the old window pane by removing the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. These are small metal triangles which act as "nails" to hold the window in place. They are placed under a bead or glazing putty which hardens into solid wedge that holds the frame firmly in position and hides the sharp edges.

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

Next, measure the width of the window's opening. You'll need to determine the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the entire opening as well as the thickness. To determine the exact dimensions 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 changes. You can take 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.