How to Replace window pane Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window is an issue. It could be a chance to upgrade to energy-efficient windows or insulated ones, and reap benefits like increased comfort, higher resale value and reduced utility bills.

This is a project you could do yourself for only a fraction of the cost of hiring an expert. It requires the right equipment and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

If your single-pane windows are old broken, deteriorating or damaged, replacing them with newer glass that is tempered or insulated can improve 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. In addition to a replacement pane, the following tools are needed for the replacement windows prices process: latex glazing putty Glazier's points; pliers and the use of a heat gun to warm the old putty if required. Before starting, wear protective gloves and goggles since working with broken glass can cause injuries.

Take away any broken glass pieces remaining. It is best to use pliers for this however a flathead could be useful equally. Use a wood chisel, or putty knives to remove any old putty that remains around the frame and window sash. Be careful not to damage the window sash. Be careful and slow. It is recommended to work on a sturdy ladder rather than on the ground and to have someone stand below the sash in order to help hold it steady.

Make sure that the window frame is ready to accept the new pane after you have removed the old putty. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction, subtract 1/8 inch each from the measurements of width and height. Bring these measurements to a hardware store or home center and get a piece of stock glass cut to size. Alternatively, you can cut the glass yourself, if you have the appropriate tools.

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

Before putting the putty on, make sure to knead it until it's soft and free of lumps. Then make it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip to the frame's corner. Work from corner to corner and ensure that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular pieces of metal which help to secure glass into a window frame without scratching or damaging the delicate surface. Learning how to use these tiny helpers is simple and can save you money on a professional installation or the cost of buying new glass.

Once the old putty and glazier's points are removed and the frame is thoroughly cleaned with a utility knife to eliminate any remaining residue. If necessary, lightly sand the wood along rabbet grooves to smooth out rough areas. If you do sand your wood, make sure to protect it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

Note down the exact dimensions of the frame. Take these measurements to an hardware store or home center and request that the new pane made slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure that the pane fits comfortably and allows for expansion and contraction.

Insert the new pane into the frame and push firmly with your hands. Then use the point of your chisel or back end of the putty knife to tap in the glazier's points, replace window pane as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's point should be aligned with the top edge of your pane, and the shoulders raised should be just below the lip.

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

Once the glazing compound has dried it's time to put in the new window sash. The first step is to coat the wood with a thick coat of linseed oil. This will prevent the new putty from drying out and cracking as it absorbs moisture. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or even the tip of the putty blade. Then use the chisel that is on the back of the tool or the back of the putty handle to gently hammer the new sash or glazier's point into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.

Putty

A hurled baseball, an errant rock or a falling branch can cause a window to break or crack. Most windows can be replaced by installing a new piece. The glass is held in the position with a tiny metal clip, called a glazier's point and putty. This compound is also called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area using an abrasive, pull-type scraper, or a wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while doing this work. If the window is secured to the frame, you'll have to employ a heat gun in order to soften the adhesive before taking it off.

If you're planning to install the original sash in the future, take care to remove the molding pieces that secure the old pane. Sand the sash until it is flat and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is reinstalled then, you can apply a silicone caulk over the glass. This will ensure that it doesn't be leaking or fade over time.

Remove the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash, which is where the glass is located. If they're hard to chisel out, try holding a hand tool like a heat gun to soften them first. If you're using a heated gun, make sure not to damage the railings or sash by placing the tool too close.

Prepare a bed for your new pane after removing the old glaze and putty. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your fingers, and then make it about 1/2 inch thick. Press it into the rabbets where the glass will be placed. The glass should rest against the putty on both sides. If necessary you want to tap your glass lightly into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can use a silicone caulk or a glass glue based on solvents to cover the crack before pressing it in the sash. If the crack isn't sealed, you'll require putty to keep water from getting in. After the putty has dried, wipe the oily film off of the glass and allow it to dry completely before painting. If you paint before the putty has completely dry, it won't create an effective seal and could be leaking or discoloring in time.

Paint

If you've had a broken window pane, then you may be worried about the cost of replacing it. But the truth is that replacing a single glass pane doesn't require a huge amount of money when you do it yourself. In fact, even a double-pane window can be replaced at less than the cost of an expert.

If you're working with a large glass window first, ensure that it is securely attached to the frame. By using the correct tools and techniques to accomplish this task fairly easily and fast.

When you're ready to start with the removal of the old window by prying out the glazing points of metal that are connected to it. These are essentially small metal triangles which function as "nails" that keep the window in in the wood frame. They are buried beneath a bead or glazing glue which hardens into a solid wedge which holds the wood frame firmly in position and conceals the edges.

After you have the old pane removed Clean up the frame and wood. Scrape off any old paint, and sand the rabbet grooves that the glazing points were. Sand them down to clean wood surfaces, so that you can paint the frames the same color. After sanding, apply a coat of flax oil on the wood that is not sanded down to extend the life of the frame.

Next, measure the dimensions of the window opening. You'll need to take vertical and horizontal measurements of the entire opening and also the thickness of the old pane. To determine 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. Take these dimensions to a hardware or home improvement store and ask them to cut you 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 replace Window Pane 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.