10 Locations Where You Can Find Replace Window Pane

How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane can be an inconvenience. This can be an opportunity to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones to enjoy benefits like increased comfort, higher resale value and reduced utility bills.

You can do it yourself for a fraction of what it would cost to employ an expert. You'll need only the right tools and a few hours of your time.

Glass

Replace your single-paned windows with tempered or insulation glass to improve energy efficiency, reduce noise, and protect the original character of your older home. The process of replacing a window pane is relatively easy and can be completed by most homeowners who possess basic hand tools. You will also need a replacement double glazed window window pane, glazier's suggestions, pliers, and latex glaze putty. If you need to you may make use of a heat gun to warm the old putty. Before starting, wear gloves and safety glasses as working with broken glass may cause injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. It is recommended to use pliers however, a flathead may be useful equally. After that, use a wood chisel, or putty knife, to take the remainder of the old putty around the frame and the sash. Be careful to not break the window sash. Take your time and work slowly. It is best to do this on a stable ladder instead of the ground and to place someone on the sash in order to help hold it in place.

Make sure the window frame is ready to accept the new pane when you have removed the old glue. Measure the width and height of the opening for the sash and subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). These measurements can be taken to a hardware or home center store to get an item cut from glass stock to the proper size. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself if have the tools you need.

After installing the new pane After installing the new pane, apply a small amount of caulking around the edge to seal it against weather. Install a glazier's pointing on both sides of the frame. This will help secure the pane. The points should not be so tight as to cause friction between the sash and frame, but they also shouldn't be too loose.

Before applying the putty to the surface, knead thoroughly until it is smooth and Glass replacement windows free of lumps. Make it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be placed to the corner of the frame, working from one corner to the next so that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular pieces which help to secure glass into frames for windows without damaging or scratching the delicate surface. It's easy to learn how to use this hidden tool and you can save money on the expense of an expert installation.

After the old putty as well as the glazier's point are gone and the frame is thoroughly cleaned with a utility knife to remove any remaining residue. Lightly sand the wood into the rabbet grooves to smooth out rough areas. If you sand wood protect it with painter’s tape to avoid accidental damage.

Note down the dimensions of the frame. These measurements can be brought to an hardware or home centers store, and the new pane will be cut to a smaller size. This will ensure a snug fit, and allow for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and press it down using your hands. Then, use the tip of your chisel or back of the putty knife to tap in the glazier's points, as shown in Figure 11. The glazier's points should be in line with the top edge of your pane and the shoulders raised should be just beneath that lip.

Apply a thin layer of glazing compound to the rabbet grooves and the edges of the new glass. This will seal and protect the edges. Allow it to dry completely and cure.

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 keep the new putty from soaking up the moisture and deteriorating and cracking over time. Apply this coat with a brush or the tip of your putty knife, then use the chisel or the back end of the putty knife to gently press the new sash and glazier's point into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.

Putty

A hurled baseball or a rock that is errant or falling branch could cause a window pane to crack or break. Luckily, most windows can be replaced by simply placing a new piece in the proper place. The glass is held in place using tiny metal clips known as a glazier's point, and putty, also called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area with the rag, a pull-type scraper or wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while working. If the window is secured to the frame, you'll need use a heat gun to soften the adhesive before taking it off.

If you're planning to install the original sash, remove any molding pieces that hold the old pane in place. Then sand the sash to make sure it's flat and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is installed, apply a new silicone caulk around the glass to ensure that it will not leak or change color over time.

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets, or the grooves in the sash where the glass is. If they're hard to chisel, use an instrument such as a heatgun over them for a few minutes to soften them. If you're using a heated gun, be careful not to cause damage to the railings or sash by using the tool too close.

After the old points of glazing and putty have been removed prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your hands, shaping it to be about 1/2-inch thick. Place it into the rabbets where the glass will be placed. It is crucial that the glass is positioned against the putty on each side, so if you need to do so, gently tap the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane has cracked, you can apply a silicone caulk or glass glue based on solvents to seal the crack before pressing it into the sash. Otherwise, you'll need to apply putty on the crack to create an airtight seal and keep water out. After the putty has dried remove the oily film off the glass and allow it to dry completely before painting. Paint after the putty has completely dried. It won't form a good seal and may discolor glass replacement Windows or leak over time.

Paint

If you've experienced a broken window pane, you might be worried about the expense of replacing it. The truth is, replacing a single pane of Glass Replacement Windows doesn't need to be expensive when you do it on your own. Even a double-paned window can be replaced for a fraction of what it would cost an expert.

If you're working with a large glass window, first make sure it is securely fixed to the frame. This can be done relatively easy and quick with the proper 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. They are basically tiny metal triangles that act as "nails" that keep the window in place in the wood frame. They are submerged under a bead of glazing putty, which is then cured to form a solid, formed wedge which holds the window in place and conceals the edges.

Once you have the old pane taken away Clean up the frame and wood. Scrape off any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points used to be. They should be sanded to bare wood to allow you to paint them the same color as the rest of the frame. After sanding, apply a coat of flax oil to the wood that is not sanded down to prolong its life.

The next step is to measure the dimensions of the window replacement cost opening. It is necessary to take vertical and horizontal measurements of the entire opening and also the thickness of the old pane. To get the exact size of the new pane subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass during seasons of change. You can bring these measurements to a 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.