How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane could be a nuisance. It could also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows to reap benefits like more comfort, higher potential for resales, and less bills.

It's a task you can take on yourself for a fraction of the cost of hiring an expert. It requires the right tools and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

Replace your single-paned windows with tempered or insulated glass to increase energy efficiency, reduce noise, and protect the historic integrity of your older home. Most homeowners with basic hand tools can replace a window pane. You will also require an extra window pane, glazier's tips pliers, and latex glazing putty. If you need to you can make use of a heat gun to warm the old putty. Before beginning, wear gloves and safety goggles as working with broken glass may cause injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. It is recommended to use pliers for this, but a flathead can be useful as well. Then, use a wood chisel or putty knife to remove the remaining old putty around the frame and sash. Be careful to not break the window sash. Work slowly and carefully. It is best to work on a sturdy ladder instead of the ground and have someone standing below the sash in order to help hold it steady.

After you have removed all the old putty, it is time to prepare the window frame to fit the new pane. Take measurements of the width and height of the opening for the sash, subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). 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 yourself if you have the tools you need.

After putting the new pane in place, run a small bead of caulking along the edge to make it weatherproof. Then, you can install a glazier's pointing on the frame's opposite side to secure the pane in place. The points shouldn't be too tight as to cause friction between the sash and frame, but they also shouldn't be loose.

Before applying the putty knead it thoroughly until it's soft and free of lumps. Roll it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip to the corner of the frame, working from one corner to the next to ensure it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular metal pieces that help secure the glass to the frame without causing damage to the delicate surface. Understanding how to use these little helpers is easy and can save you money on a professional installation or the cost of purchasing new glass.

After the old putty and glazier's points are removed Clean the frame thoroughly with a utility knife to get rid of any remaining residue. If necessary it is necessary to lightly sand the wood in the grooves of the rabbet to smooth out rough areas. If you do sand your wood, ensure you protect it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

Take the dimensions of the frame and write down accurate measurements. Take these measurements to a hardware store or a home center, and have the new pane cut slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a snug fit and leave room for expansion and contraction.

Insert the new pane into the frame and press it down using your hands. Then, use the tip of your chisel or the back of the putty knife to make a tap on the glazier's points, as illustrated in Figure 11. When you're done taping, they should be flush with the top edge of the pane, and the shoulders that are raised of the points should be below the rabbet's rim groove.

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

Install the new window sash after the glazing compound has dried. The first step is to coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will prevent the new putty from drying out and cracking due to the moisture it absorbs. Apply the coat using a brush or the edge of your putty knife, and then employ the chisel or back end from the putty knife to gently hammer the new sash and Replace Window pane glazier's point into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown, a rock thrown in error, or a tree falling could result in a broken or cracked window pane. Most windows can be repaired 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 referred to as glazing compound. Before installing a replacement window seals pane, first get rid of the old one and clean the area using the help of a rag, a pull-type paint scraper or the wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves while working. You'll need a heating gun when the window is fixed to the frame.

If you are planning to replace window Pane the original sash, take off the molding that supports the old pane. Then sand the sash to ensure it's smooth and ready for new caulk. After the sash has been reinstalled, you can apply a silicone caulk over the glass. This will ensure that it doesn't get soiled or discolor over time.

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets and the grooves in the sash where the glass is. If they're hard to chisel out, you can try holding an instrument like a heat gun over them to soften them before you do. If you're using a heated gun, be careful not to scratch the railings of the sash or the sash itself by placing the tool too closely.

Once the old glaze points and putty have been removed, prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope with glazing compound between your fingers, and make it around 1/2 inch thick. Press it into the rabbets, where the glass will be put. The glass must be positioned against the putty on both sides. If needed you want to tap your glass lightly into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has cracked, you can use the silicone caulk or glass glue that is based on solvents to fill in the crack prior to pressing it into the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you'll need to use putty to keep water out. When the putty dries then clean the oily film off the glass with the help of a rag. Allow it to dry completely prior to painting. Paint before the putty has dried completely. It will not create a solid seal and may discolor Replace window pane or leak over time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a broken pane of glass. But the truth is that replacing one glass pane does not require a huge amount of money when you do it yourself. Even double-paned windows can be replaced for a fraction of the price it will cost an expert.

If you are working on a large window, make sure that it is securely attached to the frame. This task is relatively easy and fast with the proper tools and techniques.

When you are ready to start taking down the old window pane. Pry out the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. These are tiny triangles of metal that act as "nails" to hold the window within the frame. They are submerged beneath a bead or glazing glue that hardens to an unbreakable wedge which holds the wood frame firmly in position and hides the points.

After removal of the old pane clean the frame and wood. Scrape away any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves, where the glazing points used to be. Sand them to bare wood surfaces, so that you can paint the frames with the same shade. After sanding the wood, apply a layer of flax oil. This will help to prolong the life of the frame.

Then, you need to measure the width 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. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure that you get a precise size for the new pane. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass in times of seasonal change. You can take these measurements to a hardware store or 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.