Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Replace Window Pane?

How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window can be a source of frustration. It can also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows and benefit from greater comfort, a higher potential for resales, and less costs.

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

Glass

If your single-pane windows are old damaged, cracked or deteriorating replacing them with more modern glass that is tempered or insulated can increase energy efficiency and reduce noise while preserving the historical integrity of older homes. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can repair windows with ease. Alongside a replacement pane, the following items are needed: latex glazing putty; glazier's points; pliers; and the use of a heat gun to warm the old putty, if necessary. Wear safety glasses and gloves prior to starting. Working with broken glass can cause serious injuries.

Take away any broken glass pieces remaining. This is best accomplished with pliers, but flathead screwdrivers can work in the pinch. Then, use a wooden chisel, or putty knife, to remove the remaining old putty from around the frame and the sash. Take your time and work slowly making sure not to damage the old window sash. This should be done on a ladder, not on the ground. Also, you should have someone on the ground to keep it in place.

After you have removed all the old putty, you can prepare the window frame to accommodate the new pane. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction by subtracting 1/8 inch from the measurements of the width and height. Take these measurements to an hardware store or home center, and have a piece of stock glass cut to size. You can also cut the glass by yourself if you possess the appropriate tools.

After putting in the new pane after installing the new pane, put a tiny amount of caulking around the edges to ensure it is weatherproof. Then, place a glazier's tip on the frame's opposite side to secure the pane in the right place. The points shouldn't be too tight that they create friction between the sash and frame, but they also shouldn't be too 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. Apply the first strip to the frame's corner. Work from one corner to the next to ensure it's even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are tiny triangular pieces of metal that allow glass to be secured into the window frame without causing damage to the delicate surface. Learning how to use these tiny helpers is simple and could save you money on professional installation or the cost of buying new glass.

After removing the old putty, glazier points as well as any remaining residue clean the frame thoroughly using an utility knife. Lightly sand the wood into the rabbet grooves if needed to smooth rough areas. If you do sand your wood, ensure you protect it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

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

Place the new pane in the frame and press it in place using your hand. Then, use the tip of your chisel or back of the putty knife to tap in the glazier's facets, as shown in Figure 11. When you're done, they should be in line with the top edge of the pane, and the shoulders of the points should be below the lip of the rabbet groove.

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 this to dry and cure completely.

Install the new window sash window replacement after the glazing compound has dried. First, coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will stop the new putty from taking up moisture and drying out and cracking over time. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or even the tip of the blade. Then, use the chisel on the back of the tool or the back of the handle to gently hammer the new sash or glazier's point into rabbet grooves. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball that is thrown, an errant rock or a fallen branch can cause a window to crack or break. Luckily, most windows can be easily replaced by simply putting a brand new piece in the proper place. The glass is held into position by a small metal clip, called a glazier’s point and putty. This compound is also called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area with an abrasive, scraper that is a pull type or a wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while you do this work. You'll need a heating gun if the window is glued into the frame.

If you are planning to replace the original sash, remove the molding pieces that are used to secure the old pane. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready for new caulk. After the sash has been installed then, you can apply a silicone caulk over the glass. This will ensure that it won't leak over time or discolor.

Remove the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash, where the glass is located. If they're difficult to cut out, you can try holding an instrument like a heat gun over them to soften them up first. When using a heating tool, Repairmywindowsanddoors make sure to avoid damaging the sash or its railings.

Once the old glaze points and putty have been removed, make a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your hands, shaping it to be around 1/2-inch thick. Then, push it into the rabbets in which the glass will rest. It's important that the glass is positioned against the putty on both sides If you have to do so, gently tap the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has cracked, you can apply a silicone caulk or glass glue made from solvents to cover the crack before pressing it into the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you'll need to apply putty to keep the water out. After the putty is dry and the film is oily, wipe it off the glass with a rag and allow it to dry completely before painting. Paint after the putty has dried completely. It won't form a good seal and may discolor or leak over time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a broken piece of glass. However, replacing one glass pane does not require a huge amount of money If you can do it yourself. Even a double-paned window can be replaced at a fraction of the cost it will cost an expert.

If you're working with large glass windows first ensure it is securely fixed to the frame. With the right tools and techniques to accomplish this task fairly easily and fast.

If you're ready to begin with the removal of the old window pane by removing the metal glazing points that are connected to it. These are small metal triangles that function as "nails" to hold the window in the frame. They are submerged beneath a layer of glazing putty, which hardens into a solid, molded wedge which holds the window in place and hides the window's points.

Once you have the old pane taken away, clean up the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape off any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points used to be. Sand them down to bare wooden surfaces, allowing you to paint the frames with the same shade. After sanding, apply a coat of flax oil to the bare wood to extend the life of the frame.

Then, take measurements of the dimensions of the window opening. You'll need to determine the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the entire opening, as well as the thickness. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure you have the exact size for the new pane. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass during seasonal change. You can take these measurements to a hardware or repairmywindowsanddoors home improvement shop 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.