How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window is a nuisance. It could also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows, and reap benefits like more comfort, higher the value of resales and lower utility costs.

You can do it yourself at a fraction of what it would cost to hire an expert. It requires the right equipment and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

replace window pane your old single-paned windows using tempered or insulated glass to increase energy efficiency, cut down on noise, and protect the historical integrity of your old home. The process of replacing windows is easy and can be completed by most homeowners who possess basic hand tools. In addition to a replacement pane, the following items are needed for the replacement process: latex glazing putty glazier's points; pliers; and an electric heater to warm the old putty, if needed. Wear safety glasses and gloves prior to starting. Working with broken glass could cause serious injuries.

Take out any broken glass pieces that remain. It is recommended to use pliers for this however a flathead could work as well. Use a wood chisel, or putty knives to remove any old putty remaining around the frame and the window sash. Take your time and work slowly and be careful not to break the current window sash. It is recommended to work on a stable ladder rather than on the ground, and to have someone standing below the sash to help hold it in place.

Make sure that the window frame is ready to accept the new pane after you have removed the old glue. Find the width and the 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 you have the appropriate tools.

After installing the new pane, run a small bead of caulking around the edge to ensure it is weatherproof. Then, you can install a glazier's pointing on each side of the frame to hold the pane in its place. The points shouldn't be so tight that they create friction between the sash and the frame but they shouldn't be loose.

Before applying the putty, work it in a gentle manner until it is smooth and free of lumps. Make it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip to the frame's corner. Work from corner to corner to ensure it's 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 causing damage to the delicate surface. Understanding how to use these hidden little helpers is easy and could save you money on professional installation or the cost of buying new glass.

After the old putty and the glazier's point are gone and the frame is thoroughly cleaned using a utility knife to remove any remaining traces. Lightly sand the wood into the rabbet grooves to smooth rough areas. If you decide to sand the wood, make sure to protect it with painter's tack to avoid accidental damage.

Write down the dimensions of the frame. These measurements can be taken to a home center or hardware store, and the new pane will be cut slightly smaller. This will ensure a tight fit, and allow for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and press it down using your hands. Use the chisel's point or the back of the putty blade to smudge the glazier's points as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's points should be flush against the top edge of the pane and the shoulders should be just below the lip.

Apply a thin layer of glazing compound over the edges of the new glass and in the rabbet grooves, to seal and replace Window pane protect them. Let it dry and cure completely.

Once the glazing compound has dried, you're ready to install the new window sash. The first step is to coat the wood with a heavy coat of linseed oil. This will keep the new putty from sucking up moisture and drying out and cracking over time. Apply this coat using a brush or the edge of your putty knife, and then employ the chisel or back end from the putty knife to gently hammer the new sash window replacement and glazier's tips into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown or a rock thrown by error, or a fallen tree can cause a broken or cracked window pane. Fortunately, windows can be repaired by simply putting a new piece of glass in its the proper place. The glass is held in the position with a tiny metal clip, referred to as 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 with an abrasive and the pull-type paint scraper or the wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves when working. If the window is glued to the frame, you'll have to employ a heat gun in order to soften the adhesive prior to cutting it loose.

If you're planning to install the original sash, gently remove the molding pieces that secure the old pane. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready for new caulk. After the sash has been re-installed then, apply a new caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure that it will not leak or change color in time.

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets and the grooves in the sash where the glass is. If they're hard to chisel out, you can try holding the hand tool, such as a heat gun to soften them up first. When using a heated tool, be careful to not damage the sash or its railings.

Once the old points of glazing and putty have been removed, make a bed for the new pane. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, forming it to be around 1/2-inch thick. Then, you can press it into the rabbets, where the glass will be. The glass must rest against the putty on both sides. If you need to you want to tap your glass lightly into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane has cracked, you can apply a silicone caulk or a glass glue based on solvents to fill in the crack before pressing it into the sash. If the crack isn't sealed, you will need to apply putty to keep the water out. When the putty dries then clean the oily film off the glass using the help of a rag. Allow it to dry completely prior to painting. Paint before the putty is completely dry. It won't create a solid seal and may leak or discolor with time.

Paint

If you've had a broken window pane, you might be concerned about the expense of a new one. However, replacing a single glass pane doesn't require a huge amount of money If you can do it yourself. Even a double-paned window could be replaced for a fraction of what it costs a professional.

If you're working with large glass windows, first make sure it is securely fixed to the frame. By using the correct tools and techniques to complete this task easily and fast.

If you're ready to begin with the removal of the old window by prying out the metal glazing points that are attached to it. These are small metal triangles which act as "nails" that hold the window in place. They are placed under a bead of glazing putty, which hardens into a solid, formed wedge that secures the window in place and conceals the edges.

After removal of the old pane clean the frame and wood. Scrape off any old paint and sand the rabbet grooves that the glazing points were placed. They should be sanded to the point of being bare, to allow you to paint them the same color as the rest the frame. After sanding the wood, apply a layer of flax oil. This will help prolong the life of the frame.

Next, measure the dimensions of the window's opening. It is necessary to measure the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the entire opening as well as the thickness. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure you have the exact size for the new pane. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass during seasons of change. Take these dimensions to a 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.