Who's The World's Top Expert On Replace Window Pane?

How to Replace Window pane Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window is an issue. This could be an opportunity to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones and enjoy benefits like increased comfort, higher resale value and lower utility costs.

It's a task you can do yourself for less than the cost of hiring a professional. It requires the right tools and only an hour or two of your time.

Glass

replace window pane your old single-paned windows using tempered or insulated glass to increase energy efficiency, reduce noise, and protect the historical integrity of your old home. The majority of homeowners with basic hand tools can repair windows with ease. You will also require an additional window pane, glazier's tips, pliers, and latex glazing putty. If necessary you may use a heatgun to warm the old putty. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to beginning. Working with broken glass could cause serious injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. This can be done with pliers, however, flathead screwdrivers can be used in a pinch. After that, use a wood chisel, or putty knife, to take the remainder of the old putty around the frame and sash. Be careful and slow and be careful not to break the existing window sash. This should be done on a ladder, not the ground. Also, have someone below the sash hold it steady.

Make sure that the window frame is ready to accept the new pane when you have removed the old glue. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction by subtracting 1/8 inch from the measurements of width and height. Take these measurements to the nearest hardware store or home center and find a piece glass cut to size. You can cut the glass yourself if you have the right tools.

After installing the new glass, apply a small amount of caulking around the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Install a glazier's pointing on both sides of the frame. This will help secure the pane. The points shouldn't be so tight that they create friction between the sash and the frame but they should not be too loose.

Before applying the putty make sure to knead it until it is soft and free of lumps. Then you can roll it into pencil-sized strips. Place the first strip to the corner of the frame, replace window pane moving from one corner to the other so that it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular pieces of steel that help secure the glass to the frame without causing any damage to the fragile surface. It's easy to learn how to use this secret tool, and you'll save money on the cost of an expert installation.

After removing the old putty, glazier points as well as any remaining leftovers clean the frame thoroughly with an utility knife. If needed you can lightly sand the wood along the rabbet grooves to smooth out rough spots. If you decide to sand wood, cover it with painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Write down the dimensions of the frame. These measurements can be taken to the hardware or home center store, and the new pane will be cut slightly smaller. This will ensure that the pane fits perfectly and allows for expansion and contraction.

Insert the new pane into the frame and push firmly with your hands. Use the point of the chisel, or the back of the putty blade to tap the glazier's points, as illustrated in Figure 11. When you're done taping, they should be flush with the top edge of the pane, and the shoulders of the points should be just below the rabbet's lip. groove.

Apply a thin bead 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 once the glazing compound has dried. First, saturate the wood with a thick coat of Linseed oil. This will prevent the newly-created putty from drying out and cracking as it absorbs moisture. Apply this coat with a brush or the tip of your knife, then use the chisel or the back end of the putty knife to gently hammer the new sash and glazier's tips into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches around the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown at you, an errant rock or a falling branch can cause a window pane to break or crack. Luckily, most windows can be replaced by simply putting a brand new piece in place. The glass is held in place by a small metal clip, referred to as a glazier's point and putty. This compound is also called glazing compound. Before you install a new pane, first remove the old one and clean the area with the help of a rag, a pull-type paint scraper or a wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves when working. You'll require a heat gun if the window is glued to the frame.

If you are planning to install the original sash, take off the molding that supports the old pane. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready to receive new caulk. Once the sash is re-installed and sanded, apply a fresh caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure that it doesn't swell or fade over time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash, where the glass is located. If they are hard to chisel, hold an instrument like a heat gun over them to soften first. When using a heated tool, be careful to avoid damaging the sash or its railings.

Once the old glaze points and putty are removed, prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your hands, forming it to be about 1/2-inch thick. Place it into the rabbets where the glass will be put. The glass must rest against the putty on both sides. If needed gently tap your glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack then you can seal it with a solvent-based glass glue or silicone caulk prior pressing it into the sash. In other cases, you'll need to putty over the crack to create an airtight seal and keep water out. After the putty has dried clean the oily film from the glass and allow it to dry completely before painting. If you paint before the putty is fully dry, it won't create a solid seal and could be leaking or discoloring in time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a broken piece of glass. However, replacing one glass pane does not need to cost a fortune If you can do it yourself. In fact, even a double-pane window can be replaced for only a fraction of the cost of a professional.

If you are working with a large glass window first, ensure that it is securely fixed to the frame. This job can be done relatively easy and fast using the appropriate tools and techniques.

When you are ready to begin taking down the old window pane. Remove 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 in the frame. They are buried under a bead of glazing putty that transforms into a solid molded wedge that holds the window firmly in place and hides the window's points.

After removal of the old pane clean the frame and wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used, 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 the wood then apply a layer of flax oil. This will help to extend its life.

Then, you need to measure the width 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 allow for seasonal changes in the glass. Bring these measurements to your local hardware or home improvement store and have 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.