How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane could cause a lot of trouble. It could 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 do yourself for only a fraction of the cost of hiring an expert. You only need the appropriate tools and a few minutes of your time.

Glass

Replace your single-paned windows with tempered or insulation glass to improve the efficiency of your energy, reduce noise, and preserve the original character of your home's older. Most homeowners with basic hand tools can replace a window pane. In addition to a new pane, the following tools are required: latex glazing putty; Glazier's points; pliers and an electric heater to warm the old putty, if needed. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to starting. Working with broken glass can cause serious injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. This is best done using pliers, though using flathead screwdrivers can be effective in a pinch. Make use of a wood chisel or putty knife to get rid of any old putty remaining around the frame and window sash. Take your time and work slowly and be careful not to break the existing window replacement panes sash. It is recommended to work on a sturdy ladder instead of the ground, and to have someone stand below the sash to help hold it in place.

After you've removed all the old putty, it is time to prepare the window frame to accommodate the new pane. Take measurements of the width and height of the opening in the sash, subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). Bring these measurements to a hardware store or home center, and get a piece of stock glass cut to size. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself if have the tools you need.

After putting in the new glass, apply some caulking on the edges. This will make the glass weatherproof. Install a glazier's pointing on both sides of the frame. This will help secure the pane. The points shouldn't be so tight that they cause friction between the frame and sash however they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty, knead it thoroughly until it is smooth and free of lumps. Then you can roll it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be glued to the frame's corner. Work from one corner to the next and ensure that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular pieces of steel that help secure the glass into the window frame without damaging the delicate surface. It's easy to learn how to use this secret tool, and you'll save money on the cost of an expert installation.

After the old putty as well as the glazier's point are gone Clean the frame thoroughly with a utility knife to get rid of any remaining traces. Lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves if needed to smooth rough areas. If you do sand the wood, make sure to protect 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 home center and request that the new pane made slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a secure fit and will allow room for expansion and contraction.

Place the new window in the frame and push it into the frame by using your hands. Then use the point of your chisel or back end of the putty knife to tap in the glazier's points, as illustrated in Figure 11. When you're done taping, they should be level with the top edge of the pane. the shoulders of the points should be just below the rabbet's lip. groove.

Apply a small amount of glazing compound over the edges of the new glass and into the rabbet grooves, to seal and protect them. Allow this to dry and cure completely.

Install the new window sash after the glazing compound has dried. First, coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will keep the new putty from taking in the moisture and deteriorating and cracking with time. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or the point 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 smash 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 baseball thrown at you, an errant rock or falling branch could cause a window to break or crack. Fortunately, windows can be repaired by simply putting a new piece in the right place. The glass is held into place by a small metal clip, called a glazier's point and putty. This compound is also referred to as glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area with an abrasive, scraper that is a pull type or a wood chisel. Wear gloves and Double Glazing Window Replacement safety glasses when you work. If the window is secured to the frame, you'll need to use a heat gun to soften the adhesive prior to prying it free.

If you are planning to replace window handles the original sash, remove any molding pieces that are used to secure the old pane. Then, sand the sash to ensure it's smooth and ready to be re-caulked. Once the sash is reinstalled, you can apply a silicone caulk over the glass. This will ensure that it doesn't leak over time or discolor.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets and the grooves in the sash that the glass is. If they're hard to chisel, hold a hand tool like a heat gun over them for a few minutes to soften them. If you're using a heating gun, be careful not to damage the railings or sash by using the tool too close.

Once the old glazing points and putty have been removed, make a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your fingers and make it about 1/2 inch thick. Then, you can press it into the rabbets in which the glass will rest. It is crucial that the glass sits on the putty on each side, so if you need to do so, gently tap the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can apply a silicone caulk or glass glue made from solvents to cover the crack before pressing it into the sash. If not, you'll have to putty over the crack to create an airtight seal and keep water out. Once the putty is dry clean the oily film from the glass and allow it to dry completely before painting. If you paint before the putty is completely dry, it will not form an effective seal and could be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a broken pane of glass. The truth is, replacing a single pane of glass doesn't need to be expensive when you do it on your own. Even a double glazing window replacement (linked here)-paned window can be replaced for a fraction of the price it costs a professional.

First, if you are working on a large-sized window, make sure it is securely fastened to the frame. By using the correct tools and techniques, you can complete this task easily and fast.

If you're ready to begin taking off the old window by removing the glazing points of metal that are connected to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles that act as "nails" that hold the window in in the wood frame. They are submerged beneath a layer of glazing putty that transforms into a solid molded wedge which holds the window in place and hides the edges.

After you have the old pane removed Clean up the frame and wood. Scrape away any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves, where the glazing points used to be. These should be sanded to bare wood so that you can paint them the same shade as the rest of the frame. After sanding, apply a coat of flax oil to the bare wood to help extend its lifespan.

Then, you need to measure the size of the window opening. It is necessary 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 have the exact size for the new pane. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass during seasonal changes. Take these measurements to your local hardware or home improvement store and have a piece 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.