How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane could cause a lot of trouble. It could also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows to benefit from greater comfort, a higher resale value and reduced utility costs.

It's a task you can do yourself for a fraction of the cost of hiring an expert. You'll only require the proper tools and a few hours of your time.

Glass

Replace your single-paned windows with tempered insulated glass to increase energy efficiency, cut down on noise, and maintain the original character of your older home. The replacement glass for a window of windows is easy and can be completed by anyone with basic hand tools. You will also need a replacement window pane, glazier's tips pliers, and latex glazing putty. If necessary you can use a heating gun to warm the old putty. Wear safety goggles and gloves before you begin. Working with broken glass could result in serious injuries.

Take out any broken glass pieces that remain. It is best to use pliers for this however a flathead could work equally. Utilize a wood chisel or putty knives, to take away any remaining old putty around the frame and window sash. Be careful and slow and be careful not to break the current window replacements near me sash. It is a good idea to work on a stable ladder rather than the ground and place someone on the sash to help hold it steady.

Make sure the window frame is ready to accept the new pane after you have removed the old putty. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction and contraction, subtract 1/8 inch from the measurements of the width and height. These measurements can be taken to a hardware or home center store to have a piece cut of stock glass to the right size. You can also cut the glass yourself if have the right tools.

After installing the new pane after installing the new pane, put a tiny amount of caulking along the edge to seal it against weather. 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 applying the putty to the surface, you must knead it thoroughly until it becomes soft and free from lumps. Roll it into pencil-sized strips. Place the first strip in the corner of the frame, working from one corner to the other so that it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's facets are small triangular pieces that allow glass to be secured into frames for windows without scratching or damaging the delicate surface. Learning how to use these little helpers is easy and could save you money on professional installation or the cost of purchasing new glass.

After the old putty as well as the glazier's point are gone, thoroughly clean the frame with a utility knife to get rid of any remaining residue. Lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves to smooth out rough areas. If you sand wood, protect it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

Measure the empty frame's dimensions and record precise measurements. Bring these measurements to an hardware store or home center and have the new pane cut smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a secure fit, and allow for expansion and contraction.

Place the new window in the frame and push it in place using your hand. Make use of the chisel's point, or the edge of the putty blade to tap the glazier's points, as shown in Figure 11. When you're done taping, they should be level with the top edge of the pane and the shoulders that are raised of the points should be below the rabbet's lip. groove.

Apply a thin layer of glazing compound on the edges of the new glass and into the rabbet grooves to seal and protect them. Allow it to dry and cure fully.

Install the new window sash when the glazing compound has dried. First, coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will prevent the new putty from drying out or cracking when it absorbs moisture. Apply this coat using a brush or the edge of your putty knife, then use the chisel, or the back end of the knife to gently hammer the new sash and glazier's point into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown or a rock thrown in error, or a tree falling can result in a cracked or cracked window. Most windows can be replaced by simply putting in a fresh piece. The glass is held in place by small clips made of metal called a glazier's point and putty, which is often called glazing compound. Before installing a replacement pane, first remove the old one and clean the area using a rag and an abrasive scraper that is a pull type or the wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves while you do this work. You'll require a heat gun in the event that the window is glued into the frame.

If you are planning to replace the original sash, gently remove the molding pieces that hold the old pane in place. Then you can sand the sash down to make sure it's flat and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is installed and sanded, apply a fresh silicone caulk around the glass to ensure that it will not leak or change color over time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets, or the grooves in the sash, where the glass is. If they're difficult to work out, try placing the hand tool, such as a heat gun to soften them first. If you're using a heating gun, be cautious not to cause damage to the railings or sash by placing the tool too closely.

Prepare the bed for your new pane after you have removed the old putty and glazing points. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your fingers and make it about 1/2 inch thick. Then, press it into the rabbets, where the glass will sit. It is essential that the glass sits on the putty on both sides If you have to, lightly tap the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack, you can cover it with a solvent-based glass glue or silicone caulk prior to pressing it into the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you'll need to use putty to keep water from getting in. After the putty has dried and the film is oily, wipe it off the glass using an abrasive and allow it to completely dry before painting. Paint after the putty is completely dry. It won't form a good seal and may leak or discolor with time.

Paint

If you've suffered a break in a window pane, then you may be worried about the cost of replacing it. However, replacing a single glass pane doesn't need to cost a fortune If you can do it yourself. In fact even windows with double panes can be replaced for only a fraction of the cost of a professional.

If you're working with a large glass window first, ensure that it is securely fixed to the frame. This task can be made relatively simple and quick with the appropriate tools and techniques.

Once you're ready to begin, begin by removing the old window pane by removing the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. These are tiny triangles of metal that function as "nails", holding the window in place. They are placed under a bead of glazing putty, which hardens into a solid, moulded wedge that secures the window in place and hides the window's points.

After removing the old pane, clean the frame and the wood. Scrape away any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points used to be. These should be sanded to the point of being bare, to allow you to paint them the same color as the rest of the frame. After sanding the wood you can apply a layer flax oil. This will help to prolong the life of the frame.

Then, take measurements of the dimensions of the window's 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 the exact measurement for the new pane. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass during seasons of changes. Bring these measurements to the hardware or home improvement store, and they will 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.