How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window can be a source of frustration. It can also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows, and reap benefits like more comfort, higher resale value and reduced utility costs.

This is a project you could take on yourself for less than the cost of hiring a professional. You only need the right tools and a few minutes of your time.

Glass

replace window pane your old single-paned windows using tempered or insulate glass to improve the efficiency of your energy, reduce noise, and maintain the historic integrity of your home's older. The replacement double glazing windows of a window pane is relatively easy and can be accomplished by most homeowners who possess basic hand tools. You'll also require an extra window pane, glazier's tips, pliers, and latex glazing putty. If you need to, you can use a heating gun to warm the old putty. Before beginning, wear protective gloves and Replace window Pane goggles since working with broken glass could cause injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. This is best done using the help of pliers but a flathead screwdriver can also be effective in the pinch. Use a wood chisel, or putty knives to remove any remaining old putty around the frame and window sash. Be careful to not break the window sash. Take your time and work slowly. This can be done best on a ladder, not on the ground. Also, ensure that someone lower to keep it in place.

Make sure the window frame is ready to receive the new pane when you have removed the old glue. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction, subtract 1/8 inch each from the measurements of width and height. Take these measurements to a 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 installing the glass After installing the glass, apply some caulking on the edges. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then, place a glazier's tip on each side of the frame to hold the pane in the right place. The points should not be so tight that they create friction between the frame and sash, but they should also not be loose.

Before applying the putty to the surface, gently knead it until it is smooth and free of lumps. Then make it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be placed to the corner of the frame, working from one corner to another to ensure it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are tiny triangular pieces of steel that allow glass to be secured to the frame without damaging the delicate surface. It's easy to understand how to use this hidden tool and you can save money on the cost of an installation by a professional.

After removing the old putty, glazier points as well as any remaining leftovers, clean the frame thoroughly with an utility knife. Lightly sand the wood into the rabbet grooves, if necessary, to smooth out rough areas. If you sand wood cover it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

Measure the empty frame's dimensions and write down accurate measurements. Bring these measurements to a hardware store or a home center and request that the new pane cut smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a secure fit and leave room for expansion and contraction.

Insert the new pane into the frame and press it down with your hands. Make use of the point of the chisel, or the back of the putty knife to tap in the glazier's points as illustrated in Figure 11. After you're done, the points 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 bead of glazing compound over the edges of the new glass and in the rabbet grooves to seal and protect them. Allow it to dry and cure completely.

Once the glazing compound has dried, you're ready to install the new window sash. The first step is to coat the wood with a thick coat of Linseed oil. This will prevent the newly-created putty drying out or cracking as it absorbs moisture. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or Replace Window Pane even the tip of the putty blade. Then, use the chisel that is on the back of the putty tool or the back of the putty handle to gently smash the new sash or glazier's point into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball that is thrown or an unintentional rock, or a fallen branch can cause a window to break or crack. Most windows can be replaced by simply putting in a fresh piece. The glass is held into position by a small metal clip, also known as a glazier’s point and putty. This compound is also known as glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area using the rag, a pull-type scraper or wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves when you work. You'll need a heat gun if the window is glued into the frame.

If you are planning to replace your original sash, you must remove the mold that holds the old pane. Then sand the sash to ensure it's smooth and ready to be re-caulked. Once the sash is installed, apply a new silicone caulk around the glass to ensure it will not leak or change color in time.

Remove the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves in the sash where the glass is located. If they're hard to cut, place an instrument such as a heatgun over them for a few minutes to soften them. If you're using a heating gun, be careful not to cause damage to the railings or sash by holding the tool too closely.

Create the bed for your new pane after you have removed the old glaze and putty. Roll a rope with glazing compound between your fingers, and make it about 1/2 inch thick. Then, push it into the rabbets where the glass will sit. The glass must be positioned against the putty on both sides. If you need to you want to tap your glass lightly into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked you can fill it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk before pressing it into the sash. Otherwise, you'll need to apply putty on the crack to form an airtight seal and keep water out. After the putty has dried and the film is oily, wipe it off the glass using the help of a rag. Allow it to dry completely prior to painting. If you paint before the putty is completely dry, it won't form a strong seal and may discolor or leak in time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a broken pane of glass. It's true that replacing a single pane glass doesn't have to be expensive if you do it on your own. 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 that it is securely attached to the frame. This job is relatively easy and fast using the proper tools and techniques.

When you're ready to start with the removal of the old window by removing the glazing points of metal that are connected to it. These are tiny metal triangles that act as "nails" that hold the window in the frame. They are placed under a bead of glazing putty, which hardens into a solid, molded wedge that holds the window firmly in place and conceals the edges.

Once you have the old pane removed, clean up the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape off any old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were. They should be sanded to bare wood, to allow you to paint them the same color as the rest of the frame. After sanding the wood, apply a layer of flax oil. This will help to extend its life.

Next, measure 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 get the exact measurement for the new pane. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. Bring these measurements to the hardware or home improvement store and have 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.