How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window can be a source of frustration. It can also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows, and enjoy benefits such as improved comfort, increased resale value and reduced utility costs.

This is a project you could do yourself for less than the cost of hiring a professional. It requires the right equipment and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

Replace your old single-paned windows with tempered insulated glass to increase energy efficiency, cut down on noise, and maintain the historical integrity of your home's older. The majority of homeowners with basic hand tools can replace the window pane. Alongside a replacement glass for a window windows panes (Full Post) pane, the following tools are needed: latex glazing putty; Glazier's points; pliers and the use of a heat gun to warm the old putty if required. Wear safety glasses and gloves prior to starting. Working with broken glass could cause serious injuries.

Remove any broken glass pieces remaining. This can be done with pliers, however, flathead screwdrivers can be effective in a pinch. After that, use a wood chisel or putty knife remove the remaining old putty from around the frame and the sash. Be careful not to damage the window sash. Take your time and work slowly. This is best done on an elevated ladder, not on the ground. Also, have someone below the sash ensure it is held steady.

After you have removed all of the old putty, prepare the window frame to accommodate the new pane. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction by subtracting 1/8 inch from the measurements of width and height. Bring these measurements to the nearest hardware store or home center, and get a piece of stock glass cut to size. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself if you have the appropriate tools.

After installing the glass Apply some caulking around the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then, place a glazier's tip on the frame's opposite side to secure the pane in place. The points should not be so tight that they cause friction between the frame and sash however they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty work it in a gentle manner until it's soft and free of lumps. Then you can roll it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip in the corner of the frame, working from one corner to the other to ensure it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are tiny triangular pieces of metal which help to secure the glass into the window frame without damaging the delicate surface. It's easy to understand how to use this hidden tool and you can save money on the cost of a professional installation.

After removing the old putty, glazier points and any remnants Clean the frame thoroughly with an utility knife. If necessary you can lightly sand the wood along grooves of the rabbet to smooth rough areas. If you decide to sand wood, protect it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

Take measurements of the empty frame and record precise measurements. Take these dimensions to a hardware store or a home center and have the new pane cut slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure that the pane fits perfectly and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and press it into place firmly using your hand. Then, use the tip of your chisel or back of the putty knife to pierce the glazier's points as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's point should be in line with the top edge of your pane and the raised shoulders should be just beneath that lip.

Apply a thin layer of glazing compound on the rabbet grooves and the edges of the new glass. This will protect and seal the edges. Allow it to dry and cure completely.

After the glazing compound dries and the glazing compound is dry, you can install 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 taking up moisture and drying out and cracking with time. Apply this coat with a brush or the tip of your knife, and then employ the chisel or back end of the putty knife to gently hammer in the new sash and glazier's points into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches around the frame's perimeter.

Putty

A baseball that is thrown or a rock that is errant or falling branch could cause a window to break or crack. Luckily, most windows can be easily replaced by simply putting a new piece in the right place. The glass is held into the position with a tiny metal clip, referred to as a glazier’s point and putty. This compound is also known as glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area using an abrasive, pull-type scraper or wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves while working. You'll require a heat gun when the window is fixed into the frame.

If you're planning to install your original sash, remove the molding that holds the old pane. Then sand the sash to ensure it's smooth and ready to be re-caulked. After the sash has been put back in place it is possible to apply a silicone caulk on the glass. This will ensure that it won't be leaking or fade over time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets. These are the grooves in the sash, which is where the glass is located. If they're difficult to cut out, try placing an instrument like a heat gun over them to soften them first. When using a heating tool, be careful to not scratch the sash's railings and sash.

After the old glaze points and putty are 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. Press it into the rabbets, where the glass will be placed. It is essential that the glass is positioned against the putty in all places on each side So if you have to tap it, gently press the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack you can fill it with a solvent-based glass glue or silicone caulk prior to pressing it into the sash. In other cases, you'll need to apply putty on the crack to form an impervious seal to keep water out. Once the putty is dry, wipe the oily film off the glass and allow it to dry completely before painting. Paint before the putty has completely dried. It will not form a good seal and may leak or discolor with time.

Paint

If you've suffered a break in a window pane, you might be worried about the expense of replacing it. But the truth is that replacing a single glass pane doesn't have to break the bank If you can do it yourself. In fact even windows with double panes can be replaced for less than the cost of an expert.

If you are working on a large window, make sure that it is securely attached to the frame. This job can be done relatively easy and quick with the appropriate tools and techniques.

Once you're ready to begin with the removal of the old window pane by prying out the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. These are small metal triangles that function as "nails" to hold the window in place. They are submerged beneath a glaze putty or bead that hardens to solid wedge that holds the frame firmly in position and conceals the edges.

After taking off 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. Sand them to bare wood surfaces, so that you can paint the frames with the same color. After the sanding process, apply a coat of flax oil to the wood's surface to extend the life of the frame.

The next step is to measure the dimensions of the window opening. You will need to take horizontal and vertical measurements of the entire opening, and also the thickness of the old pane. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure you get a precise size for the new pane. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass during seasonal changes. You can take these measurements to a hardware store or home improvement store 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.