How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane could cause a lot of trouble. It could also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows to reap benefits like improved comfort, increased resale value and reduced utility costs.

You can do it yourself for a less than what it would cost to employ an expert. You'll only require 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If your single-pane windows are outdated damaged, cracked or deteriorating replacing them with more modern insulated or tempered glass can increase energy efficiency and reduce noise while preserving the historical integrity of older homes. The process of replacing the replacement windows glass window pane (from the telegra.ph blog) pane is easy and can be completed by anyone with basic hand tools. You will also need an additional window glass replacement pane, glazier's tips, pliers, and latex glaze putty. If you need to you can use a heatgun to warm the old putty. Before starting, put on protective gloves and goggles since working with broken glass can cause injuries.

Take away any broken glass pieces remaining. This is best done using pliers, though using a flathead screwdriver can also be effective in a pinch. Use a wood chisel, or putty knives, to take away any old putty that remains around the frame and 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, have someone lower to hold it steady.

Make sure the window frame is ready to receive the new pane after you have removed the old putty. Find the width and the height of the sash opening and subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). Take these measurements to the nearest hardware store or home center and get a piece of stock glass cut to size. You can cut the glass yourself if you possess 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 ensure the pane. The points shouldn't be so tight as to cause friction between the sash and the frame however they shouldn't be loose.

Before putting the putty on, work it in a gentle manner until it is smooth and free of lumps. Then make it into pencil-sized strips. Apply 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 metal pieces that help secure the glass into the window frame without causing any damage to the fragile surface. Learning how to use these hidden tiny pieces of help 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 Clean the frame thoroughly with a utility knife to eliminate any remaining traces. If necessary, lightly sand the wood along the rabbet grooves to smooth out rough areas. If you sand wood protect it with painter’s tape to protect it from damage caused by accidental sanding.

Measure the empty frame's dimensions and note down precise measurements. These measurements can be brought to an hardware or home centers store, and the new frame will be cut a bit smaller. This will ensure a tight fit and leave room for expansion and contraction.

Insert the new pane into the frame and press it down with your hands. Then, you can use the point of your chisel or the back end of the putty knife to pierce the glazier's points, as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's point should be flush against the top edge of the pane and the shoulders raised should be just beneath that lip.

Apply a thin layer of glazing compound on the edges of the glass that has been made and into the rabbet grooves, to seal and protect them. Let it dry completely and cure.

When the glazing compound is dry, you're ready to install the new window sash. First, coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will prevent the new putty from sucking up moisture and drying out and cracking over time. Use a brush to apply this coat, or the point of the putty blade. Then, use the chisel on the back of the putty tool or the back of the putty handle to gently hammer the new sash or glazier's point into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process every 10 inches around the frame's perimeter.

Putty

A baseball hit, a rock thrown in error, or a fallen tree can result in a cracked or cracked window. Luckily, most 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. Before you install a new pane, first remove the old one and clean up the area using an abrasive and an abrasive scraper that is a pull type or a wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves when you work. If the window is glued to the frame, you'll need to make use of a heat gun to soften the adhesive prior to taking it off.

If you're planning to replace your original sash, remove the molding that holds the old pane. Then, sand the sash to ensure it's level and ready for a new caulk. After the sash has been re-installed and sanded, apply a fresh silicone caulk around the glass to ensure it won't leak or discolor as time passes.

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

Create a bed for your new pane by removing the old putty and glazing points. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, and form it into a 1/2-inch thick. Then, you can press it into the rabbets, where the glass will sit. It is crucial that the glass is positioned against the putty in all places on each side If you have to tap it, gently press the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack then you can seal it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk prior pressing it into the sash. In other cases, you'll need to putty over the crack to form an impervious seal to keep water out. Once the putty is dry clean the oily film off of the glass and allow it to dry completely before painting. If you paint before the putty is completely dry, it won't create a solid seal and could be leaking or discoloring in time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a damaged piece of glass. It's true that replacing a single piece of glass doesn't have to be costly even if you do it your own. Even double-paned windows can be replaced for a fraction of what it would cost for a professional.

If you are working on a large window, ensure that it is securely attached to the frame. With the right tools and techniques, you can make this task relatively easy and speedy.

When you are ready to begin with the removal of the window pane. Take out the glazing points made of metal that are attached 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 that holds the window firmly in place and hides the edges.

After taking off the old pane clean the frame and the wood. Scrape off any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves, where the glazing points were. These should be sanded to the point of being bare, to allow you to paint them the same shade as the rest of the frame. After sanding the wood then apply a layer of flax oil. This will help to extend its life.

Then, take measurements of 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. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure you have the exact size for the new pane. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. Take these dimensions to the 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.