How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane can be an inconvenience. This could be an opportunity to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones, and reap benefits like increased comfort, higher resale value and reduced utility bills.

This is a project you could tackle yourself at a fraction of the cost of hiring a professional. You only need the proper tools and a few minutes of your time.

Glass

If your single-pane windows are outdated damaged, cracked or deteriorating, replacing them with newer glass that is tempered or insulated will increase energy efficiency and decrease noise while also preserving the original character of older homes. The procedure of replacing a window pane is relatively simple and can be done by homeowners with basic hand tools. You'll also require an additional window pane, glazier's tips pliers, and latex glaze putty. If you need to you can use a heating gun to warm the old putty. Wear safety glasses and gloves before you begin. Working with broken glass could cause serious injuries.

Take away any broken glass pieces that remain. It is recommended to use pliers however, a flathead may work equally. Then, use a wood chisel or putty knife remove the rest of the old putty from the frame and sash. Be careful to not scratch the window sash. Be careful and slow. It is best to work on a sturdy ladder rather than the ground, and to have someone stand below the sash to help keep it steady.

Make sure that the window frame is ready to accommodate the new pane after you have removed the old putty. Measure the width and height of the opening in the sash by subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). These measurements can be sent to a home center or hardware store to get an item cut from glass stock to the proper size. Alternatively, you can cut the glass yourself if have the tools you need.

After putting in the new pane After installing the new pane, apply a small amount of caulking along the edge to make it weatherproof. Then install a glazier's point on the frame's opposite side to secure the pane into place. The points should not 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's soft and free of lumps. Cut it into pencil-sized pieces. Apply the first strip in the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to the next to ensure it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are tiny triangular metal pieces that help secure the glass into the window frame without causing damage to the delicate surface. It's easy to understand how to use this hidden tool, and you'll be able to save money on the expense of a professional installation.

After the old putty and the glazier's point are gone Clean the frame thoroughly with a utility knife to get rid of any remaining residue. Lightly sand the wood into the rabbet grooves if needed 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 record precise measurements. These measurements can be brought to an hardware or home centers store, and the new pane will be cut to a smaller size. This will ensure that the pane fits perfectly and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and push it in using your hands. Then, you can use the point of your chisel, or the back of the putty knife to make a tap on the glazier's facets, as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's points should be flush against the top edge of your pane and the shoulders should be just below the lip.

Apply a thin bead of glazing compound on 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 once the glazing compound has dried. First, coat the wood with a thick coat of linseed oil. This will prevent the new putty from drying out and cracking due to the moisture it absorbs. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or the point of the blade. Then, use the chisel that is on the back of the putty tool or the back of the handle to gently smash the new sash or glazier's point into grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.

Putty

A baseball hit or a rock thrown by error, or a fallen tree can result in a cracked or cracked window pane. The majority of windows can be replaced by putting in a new piece. The glass is held in place by a small metal clip, also known as the 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 a wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves when you work. If the window is glued to the frame, you'll have to employ a heat gun in order to soften the adhesive prior glaze to taking it off.

If you're planning to install the original sash in the future, take care to remove any pieces of molding that hold the old pane in place. Then sand the sash to ensure it's level and ready to be re-caulked. Once the sash is re-installed, apply a new silicone caulk to the glass to ensure that it will not leak or change color in time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash, where the glass is located. If they're hard to chisel, use the hand tool, such as a heating gun over them for a few minutes to soften them. When using a heated tool, be sure to not scratch the sash and its railings.

After the old glaze points and putty are removed, make a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your hands, forming it to be around 1/2-inch thick. Press it into the rabbets, where the glass will be placed. It's important that the glass window replacement sits on the putty in all places on each side If you have to, lightly tap the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can cover it with a solvent-based glue or glaze silicone caulk before pressing it into the sash. If the crack isn't sealed, you will require putty to keep water from getting in. Once the putty is dry remove the oily film from the glass and let it dry completely before you paint. If you paint before the putty is completely dry, it won't create a strong seal and may be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a broken piece of glass. But the truth is that replacing one glass pane does not need to cost a fortune when you do it yourself. Even a replacement double glazed window-paned window can be replaced for a fraction of what it will cost a professional.

If you're working with large glass windows, first make sure it is securely fixed to the frame. Using the proper tools and techniques to make this task relatively easy and speedy.

When you're ready to start, begin by removing the old window pane by removing the metal glazing points that are connected to it. These are tiny triangles of metal that function as "nails", holding the window in place. They are placed under a glaze putty or bead that sets to form solid wedge which holds the wood frame securely in place and hides the points.

After removing the old pane, clean the frame and wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used, and sand the rabbet grooves in which the glazing points were. Sand them to bare wooden surfaces so you can paint the frames with the same shade. After sanding, apply a coat of flax oil on the wood's surface to extend the life of the frame.

Next, measure the width of the window opening. You will need to measure the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the entire opening, as well as the thickness. To determine the exact size of the new pane, subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. Take these dimensions to the hardware or home improvement store, and they will 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.