10 Quick Tips For Replace Window Pane

How to Replace Window Panes

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

It's a task you can do yourself for only a fraction of the cost of hiring an expert. It requires the right equipment and 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 will improve energy efficiency and reduce noise while preserving the historical integrity of older homes. The procedure of replacing a window pane is relatively simple and can be done by anyone with basic hand tools. Alongside a replacement pane, the following tools are required for the replacement process: latex glazing putty glazier's points; pliers; and the use of a heat gun to warm the old putty, if needed. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to beginning. Working with broken glass could cause serious injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. It is best to use pliers however, a flathead may be used as well. Make use of a wood chisel or putty knife to get rid of any remaining old putty around the frame and the window sash. Be careful to not scratch the window sash. Be careful and slow. It is a good idea to work on a sturdy ladder rather than the ground and have someone standing below the sash to help keep it in place.

Prepare the window frame to accept the new pane once you have removed the old putty. Take measurements of the width and height of the opening for 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 cut a piece of glass stock to the proper size. Alternatively, you can cut the glass yourself, if you have the appropriate tools.

After putting the new pane in place, run a small bead of caulking around the edge to seal it against weather. Then, you can install a glazier's pointing on each side of the frame to secure the pane into place. The points shouldn't be so tight that they cause friction between the frame and the sash however they should not be loose.

Before putting the putty on, work it in a gentle manner until it is smooth and free of lumps. Make it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be placed to the corner of the frame, working from one corner to the next to ensure it is 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 pane replacement (http://www.3e0bnls92bgvcbqcd1hpxcmou4od78a.kr/bbs/board.php?bo_table=free&wr_id=1928152) frame without causing damage to the delicate surface. Knowing how to use these tiny pieces of help is simple and can save you money on professional installation or the cost of new glass.

After the old putty as well as the glazier's point are gone, thoroughly clean the frame with a utility knife to eliminate any remaining residue. If necessary you can lightly sand the wood along grooves of the rabbets to smooth rough spots. If you do sand your wood, be sure to protect it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

Take measurements of the empty frame and record precise measurements. These measurements can be brought to a home center or hardware store and the new pane 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 firmly with your hands. Then, you can use the point of your chisel or back end of the putty knife to pierce the glazier's points as shown in Figure 11. The glazier's points should be in line with the top edge of your pane and the shoulders should be just below that lip.

Apply a thin layer of glazing compound to the rabbet grooves as well as the edges of the glass. This will seal and protect the edges. Let it dry and cure fully.

Install the new window sash after the glazing compound has dried. First, coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will prevent the newly-created putty from drying out and cracking when it absorbs moisture. Apply the coating using a brush 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 hit the new sash, or glazier's point into rabbet grooves. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A hurled baseball or a rock that is errant or a falling branch can cause a window pane to crack or break. Fortunately, windows can be easily replaced by simply putting a brand new piece of glass in its the right place. The glass is held in position by a small metal clip, also known as the glazier's point, and putty. This compound is also referred to as glazing compound. Before you install a new pane, first get rid of the old one and clean up the area using an abrasive and an abrasive scraper that is a pull type or the wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves when you work. You'll need a heat gun if the window is glued to the frame.

If you plan to reinstall the original sash in the future, take care to remove any molding pieces that are used to secure the old pane. Then sand the sash to make sure it's flat and ready to be re-caulked. Once the sash is put back in place then, you can apply a silicone caulk on the glass. This will ensure that it doesn't be leaking or fade over time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash, where the glass is. If they're hard to chisel, hold a hand tool such as a heating gun over them to allow them to soften before. When using a heating tool, be careful to not scratch the sash and its railings.

After the old points of glazing and putty are removed, prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope with glazing compound between your fingers, and then make it about 1/2 inch thick. Then, push it into the rabbets, where the glass will sit. It is essential that the glass sits on the putty on each side, so if you need to tap it, gently press the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can cover it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk prior pressing it into the sash. If the crack isn't sealed, you'll need to use putty to keep water out. When the putty dries, clean the oily film off the glass using a rag and allow it to completely dry before painting. If you paint before the putty is fully dry, it won't form an effective seal and could leak or discolor Window Pane Replacement over time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a broken piece of glass replacement windows. But the truth is that replacing one glass pane does not need to cost a fortune when you do it yourself. Even a double-paned window can be replaced for a fraction of the price it will cost for a professional.

If you are working with a large glass window first ensure it is securely fixed to the frame. This task can be made relatively simple and fast using the appropriate tools and techniques.

When you are ready to start, remove the old window pane. Remove the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. These are essentially small metal triangles that function as "nails" which hold the window in in the wood frame. They are submerged beneath a glaze putty or bead that sets to form a solid wedge which holds the wood frame securely in place and hides the points.

After taking off the old pane clean the frame and the wood. Scrape away any old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves, where the glazing points were. These should be sanded to the point of being bare, so that you can paint them the same color as the rest the frame. After sanding, apply a layer of flax oil to the wood that is not sanded down to prolong its life.

The next step is to determine the size of the window's opening. It is necessary to measure the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the entire opening, as well as the thickness. To determine the exact dimensions of the new pane subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. You can bring these measurements to a hardware 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.