How to Replace Window Pane Window Panes

A cracked window pane is an inconvenience. It can also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows to reap benefits like greater comfort, a higher resale value and reduced utility costs.

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

Glass

Replace your single-paned windows with tempered or insulate glass to improve the efficiency of your energy, reduce noise, and preserve the original character of your older home. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can repair the window pane. In addition to a replacement pane, the following items are needed: latex glazing putty; glazier's points; pliers; and an electric heater to warm the old putty, if needed. Wear safety glasses and gloves prior to beginning. Working with broken glass could result in serious injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. This can be done with pliers, however, a flathead screwdriver can also work in the pinch. Use a wood chisel, or putty knives, to take away any remaining old putty around the frame and the window sash. Be careful to not scratch the window sash. Be careful and slow. This can be done best on a ladder, not the ground. Also, have someone on the ground to ensure it is held steady.

Make sure the window frame is ready to accommodate the new pane once you have removed the old putty. Find the width and the height of the sash opening and subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). These measurements can be sent to an hardware or replace Window pane home centers store to get a piece cut of glass that is in stock to the correct size. You can also cut the glass by yourself if you have the right tools.

After putting the new pane in place After installing the new pane, apply a small amount of caulking around the edges to ensure it is weatherproof. Install a glazier’s point on both sides of the frame. This will ensure the pane. The points should not be so tight that they cause friction between the sash and frame however they shouldn't be too loose.

Before putting the putty on, knead it thoroughly until it's soft and free of lumps. Make it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be glued to the corner of the frame. 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 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 be able to save money on the cost of replacement windows uk of an expert installation.

After removing the old putty, glazier points as well as any remaining remnants, clean the frame thoroughly with an utility knife. Lightly sand the wood into the rabbet grooves to smooth out rough areas. If you decide to sand wood, cover it with painter's tape to protect it from damage caused by accidental sanding.

Note down the exact dimensions of the frame. 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 that the pane fits snugly and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane in the frame and push firmly with your hands. 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. The glazier's point should be aligned with the top edge of the pane and the shoulders raised should be just below the lip.

Apply a thin layer glazing compound on the rabbet grooves as well as the edges of the glass. This will seal and protect the edges. Let it dry and cure completely.

Once the glazing compound has dried it's time to put in the new window sash. First, saturate the wood with a thick coat of linseed oil. This will prevent the new putty from drying out and cracking when it absorbs moisture. Apply this coat using a brush or the tip of your knife, and then use the chisel, or the back end of the putty knife to gently press the new sash and glazier's points into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.

Putty

A baseball hit or a rock thrown in error, or a tree falling could result in a broken or cracked window. Most windows can be replaced easily by putting in a new piece. The glass is held into the position with a tiny metal clip, referred to as a glazier’s point and putty. This compound is also known as glazing compound. Before you install a new pane, first get rid of the old one and clean up the area with a rag and the pull-type paint scraper or the wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while working. If the window is attached to the frame, you'll have to make use of a heat gun to soften the adhesive before prying it free.

If you are planning to replace your original sash, you must remove the molding that supports the old pane. Then, replace window pane sand the sash to ensure it's level and ready for a new caulk. Once the sash window replacement is put back in place then, you can apply a silicone caulk over the glass. This will ensure that it won't be leaking or fade over time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets, the grooves in the sash, where the glass sits. If they're difficult to chisel, hold an instrument such as a heating gun over them to soften first. When using a heat tool, make sure to avoid damaging the sash's railings and sash.

Create a bed for your new pane by removing the old glaze and putty. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your fingers, and then make it about 1/2 inch thick. Then, push it into the rabbets where the glass will sit. The glass should rest 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 damaged, you can use a silicone caulk or glass glue based on solvents to seal the crack before pressing it in the sash. If not, you'll have to apply putty on the crack to form a tight seal and keep water out. Once the putty is dry remove the oily film off the glass and let it dry completely before painting. If you paint before the putty has completely dry, it will not form a solid seal and could be leaking or discoloring in time.

Paint

If you've experienced a broken window pane, you may be worried about the expense of a new one. The truth is, replacing a single piece of glass doesn't have to be expensive if you do it on your own. Even a double-paned window can be replaced for a fraction of the price it would cost an expert.

If you are working with a large glass window first, ensure that it is securely fixed to the frame. This task is relatively easy and quick with the right tools and techniques.

When you are ready to start, remove the old window pane. Take out the metal glazing points attached to it. These are tiny metal triangles that function as "nails" to hold the window within the frame. They are placed under a bead or glazing glue that hardens to a solid wedge which holds the wood frame securely in place and conceals the edges.

After removing the old pane, clean the frame and the wood. Scrape away any old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves, where 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, apply a coat of flax oil to the bare wood to extend the life of the frame.

The next step is to measure the dimensions of the window's opening. It is necessary to take vertical and horizontal measurements of the entire opening, and also the thickness of the old pane. 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 during seasons of change. Bring these measurements to the hardware or home improvement store and ask them to cut you cut the glass 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.