How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window panes replacement pane can be an issue. This could be an opportunity to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones, and reap benefits like increased comfort, increased resale values and lower utility costs.

This is a project you could take on yourself for a fraction of the cost of hiring a professional. It requires the right tools and only an hour or two of your time.

Glass

If your single-pane windows are old damaged, cracked or deteriorating, replacing them with newer glass that is tempered or insulated can increase energy efficiency and reduce noise while preserving the original character of older homes. The majority of homeowners with basic hand tools can replace a window pane. You'll also require a replacement window pane, glazier's tips pliers, and latex glazing putty. If necessary, you can use a heatgun to warm the old putty. Wear safety goggles and gloves before you begin. Working with broken glass could result in serious injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. This can be done with the help of pliers though using a flathead screwdriver may be effective in a pinch. Make use of a wood chisel or putty knives, to take away any old putty that remains around the frame and Window panel replacement sash. Be careful and slow, taking care not to break the current window sash. It is recommended to work on a stable ladder rather than on the ground and place someone on the sash in order to help hold it steady.

Once you have removed all of the old putty, prepare the window frame to accommodate the new pane. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction, subtract 1/8 inch each from the measurements of width and height. These measurements can be taken to a home center or hardware store to get cut a piece of stock glass to the right size. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself, if you have the right tools.

After installing the new pane after installing the new pane, put a tiny amount of caulking along the edge to make it weatherproof. Install a glazier’s point on both sides of the frame. This will help secure the pane. The points shouldn't be tight enough to create friction between the frame and the sash however they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty to the surface, gently knead it until it is smooth and free of lumps. Make it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip to the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to the next so that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier’s points are small triangular pieces of metal that allow glass to be secured into the window frame without damaging the delicate surface. It's easy to learn how to use this secret tool, and you'll be able to save money on the cost of an installation by a professional.

After the old putty and glazier's points are removed Clean the frame thoroughly with a utility knife to remove any remaining residue. Lightly sand the wood into the rabbet grooves, if necessary, to smooth rough areas. If you sand wood cover it with painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Write down the exact dimensions of the frame. These measurements can be brought to the hardware or home center store, and the new frame will be cut to a smaller size. This will ensure a secure fit and leave room for expansion and contraction.

Insert the new pane into the frame and push it in with your hands. Use the point of the chisel, or the edge of the putty blade to tap the glazier's points as shown in Figure 11. When you're done, they should be flush with the top edge of the pane. the shoulders that are raised 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 in the rabbet grooves to seal and protect them. Allow it to dry and cure fully.

After the glazing compound dries it's time to put in the new window sash. The first step is to coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will keep the new putty from soaking up the moisture and deteriorating and cracking over time. Apply the coat using a brush or the tip of your knife, and then employ the chisel or back end from the putty knife to gently hammer in the new sash and glazier's point into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches along the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A baseball hit or a rock thrown in error, or a fallen tree can cause a broken or cracked window pane. Fortunately, the majority of windows can be easily replaced by simply placing a new piece in the proper place. The glass is held in place by a small metal clip, called a glazier’s point and putty. This compound is also referred to as glazing compound. Before installing a replacement pane, first take out the old one and clean up the area using a rag and the pull-type paint scraper or a wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while working. If the window is attached to the frame, you'll have to use a heat gun to soften the adhesive before taking it off.

If you plan to reinstall the original sash, gently remove any pieces of molding that secure the old pane. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is re-installed then, apply a new silicone caulk around the glass to ensure it will not leak or change color as time passes.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash where the glass is. If they're hard to chisel out, you can try holding an instrument like a heat gun to soften them up first. When using a heated tool, make sure to not scratch the sash or its railings.

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

If the new pane has cracked, you can apply a silicone caulk or glass glue made from solvents to cover the crack prior to pressing it into the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you'll need to apply putty to keep the water out. Once the putty is dry clean the oily film off the glass and allow it to dry completely before you paint. If you paint before the putty is fully dry, it won't create a solid seal and could leak or discolor in time.

Paint

If you've suffered a break in a window pane, then you may be concerned about the expense of a new one. But the truth is that replacing one glass pane does not have to break the bank when you do it yourself. Even a double glazed replacement windows-paned window could be replaced for a fraction of the price it costs an expert.

First, if you are working on a large-sized window, make sure that it is securely fixed to the frame. Using the proper tools and techniques to make this task relatively easy and quick.

When you are ready to start, remove the old window pane. Pry out the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. These are tiny triangles of metal that function as "nails" that hold the window in the frame. They are submerged beneath a layer of glazing putty, which is then cured to form a solid, moulded wedge that holds the window firmly in place and conceals the edges.

After removal of the old pane clean the frame and wood. Scrape away any old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points used to be. These should be sanded down to bare wood, so that you can 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 prolong the life of the frame.

Next, measure the size of the window opening. It is necessary to take vertical and horizontal measurements of the entire opening, as well as 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 allow for seasonal changes in the glass. 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.