How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane could be a nuisance. It can also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows, and enjoy benefits such as more comfort, higher the value of resales and lower utility costs.

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

Glass

If your single-pane windows are old damaged, cracked or deteriorating, replacing them with newer insulated or tempered glass can improve energy efficiency and reduce noise while preserving the historic integrity of older homes. The majority of homeowners with basic hand tools can repair windows with ease. You will also require a upvc replacement window handles window pane, glazier's tips, pliers, and latex glazing putty. If necessary you may make use of a heat gun to warm the old putty. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to beginning. Working with broken glass could cause serious injuries.

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

After you've removed all the old putty, you can prepare the window frame for the new pane. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction, subtract 1/8 inch each from the measurements of width and height. Bring these measurements to the nearest hardware store or home center and find a piece glass cut to size. Alternatively, you can cut the glass yourself, if you have the right tools.

After putting in the new glass Apply a small amount of caulking around the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Install a glazier's point on both sides of the frame. This will secure the pane. The points shouldn't be so tight that they cause friction between the frame and sash, but they should also not be loose.

Before putting the putty on, knead it thoroughly until it is smooth and free of lumps. Then, roll it into pencil-size strips. Place the first strip to the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to the next to ensure it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier’s points are small triangular pieces of steel which help to secure the glass into the window frame without damaging the delicate surface. Understanding how to use these hidden tiny pieces of help is simple and could save you money on professional installation or the cost of new glass.

After the old putty and the glazier's points have been removed Clean the frame thoroughly with a knife to eliminate any remaining traces. If necessary you can lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves to smooth rough spots. If you sand wood cover it with painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Write 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 a snug fit and leave room for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and press it down using your hands. Then use the point of your chisel or the back end of the putty knife to make a tap on the glazier's facets, as shown in Figure 11. When you're done, they should be level 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 over the edges of the glass that has been made and into the rabbet grooves, to seal and protect them. Allow it to dry and cure fully.

Install the new window sash after the glazing compound has dried. First, coat the wood with a heavy coat of Linseed oil. This will prevent the newly-created putty drying out or cracking as it absorbs moisture. Apply the coat using a brush or the edge of your putty knife, and then use the chisel or the back end from the putty knife to gently press the new sash and glazier's point into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball hit or a rock thrown in error, or a tree falling can result in a cracked or cracked window. Luckily, most windows can be replaced by simply putting a brand new piece of glass in its the proper place. The glass is held in place by small clips made of metal called the glazier's pointed and replace window pane putty, often called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area using the rag, a pull-type scraper or wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while you do this work. If the window is attached to the frame, you'll need employ a heat gun in order to soften the adhesive prior to taking it off.

If you are planning to replace window pane the original sash, gently remove any molding pieces that hold the old pane in place. Sand the sash until it is flat and ready to receive new caulk. Once the sash is re-installed, apply a new caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure that it will not leak or change color over time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets and the grooves in the sash that the glass is. If they are hard to chisel, use the hand tool, such as a heatgun over them to soften first. If you're using a heating gun, be cautious not to scratch the railings or sash by using the tool too closely.

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

If the new pane has cracked, you can apply the silicone caulk or glass glue based on solvents to fill in the crack before pressing it in the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you'll require putty to keep water out. After the putty has dried remove the oily film from the glass and let it dry completely before you paint. If you paint before the putty is fully dry, it won't create a strong seal and may discolor or leak over time.

Paint

If you've suffered a break in a window pane, you may be concerned about the expense of replacing it. But the truth is that replacing one glass pane does not need to cost a fortune when you do it yourself. Even a double-paned window can be replaced for a fraction of the price it will cost a professional.

If you are working with a large glass window first ensure it is securely fixed to the frame. This can be made relatively simple and fast with the appropriate tools and techniques.

When you're ready to start taking off the old window by removing the glazing points made of metal that are connected to it. These are tiny triangles of metal that act as "nails" that hold the window within the frame. They are submerged beneath a bead or glazing glue which hardens into an unbreakable wedge that holds the frame firmly in position and conceals the edges.

After you have removed the old pane taken away, clean up the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape off any old paint, and sand the rabbet grooves in which the glazing points were placed. Sand them down to clean wood surfaces, so that you can paint the frames with the same shade. After the sanding process, apply a coat of flax oil to the bare wood to help extend its lifespan.

Next, measure the dimensions of the window's opening. You will need to measure the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the entire opening, as well as the thickness. 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 during seasons of changes. Take these measurements to the 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 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.