Ten Replace Window Panes That Really Improve Your Life

How to replace Window Pane Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window is an inconvenience. It could also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows to benefit from improved comfort, increased potential for resales, and less costs.

It's a project you can do yourself for only a fraction of the cost of hiring a professional. You'll need only the appropriate tools and a few minutes 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 also preserving the historical integrity of older homes. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can repair the window pane. You'll also require an additional window pane, glazier's tips, pliers, and latex glazing putty. If needed, you can use a heatgun to warm the old putty. Before starting, put on protective gloves and goggles since working with broken glass can cause injuries.

Remove any broken glass pieces remaining. This can be done with pliers, though using a flathead screwdriver can also work in a pinch. Utilize a wood chisel or putty knives, to take away any old putty that remains around the frame and window sash. Be careful not to damage the window sash. Take your time and work slowly. This should be done on an elevated ladder, not on the ground. Also, have someone on the ground to ensure it is held steady.

Make sure that the window frame is ready to accept the new pane once you have removed the old glue. Measure the width and height of the opening in the sash, subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). These measurements can be taken to a home center or hardware store to have an item cut from glass stock to the proper size. You can also cut the glass yourself if have the right tools.

After installing the new pane, run a small bead of caulking around the edge to make it weatherproof. Then, you can install a glazier's pointing on each side of the frame to hold the pane in the right place. The points should not be too tight that they create friction between the frame and sash however they should not be loose.

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

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are the tiny triangular pieces of steel which help to secure glass into frames for windows without scratching or damaging the fragile surface. Understanding how to use these hidden tiny helpers is simple and could save you money on professional installation or the cost of new glass.

After removing the old putty, glazier points as well as any remaining leftovers clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife. Lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves if needed to smooth rough areas. If you decide to sand the wood, ensure you protect it with painter's tack to avoid accidental damage.

Note down the dimensions of the frame. Take these dimensions to a hardware store or a home center and have the new pane made slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure that the pane fits comfortably and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and push it in using your hands. Then, use the tip of your chisel or back of the putty knife to make a tap on the glazier's facets, as shown in Figure 11. The glazier's points should be flush against the top edge of your pane, and the raised shoulders should be just below that lip.

Apply a thin layer of glazing compound over the edges of the new glass and in the rabbet grooves to seal and protect them. Allow this to dry and cure fully.

Install the new window sash once the glazing compound has dried. First, coat the wood with a heavy coat of Linseed oil. This will prevent the new putty from drying out and cracking due to the moisture it absorbs. Use a brush to apply this coat, or the tip of the putty blade. Then, use the chisel that is on the back of the putty tool or the back of the handle to gently hit the new sash, or glazier's point into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches around the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown at you, an errant rock or a fallen branch can cause a window to crack or break. Luckily, most windows can be replaced by simply putting a new piece of glass in its the right place. The glass is held in place by a small metal clip, also known as the glazier's point, and putty. This compound is also called glazing compound. Before you install a new pane, first remove the old one and Replace window pane clean up the area using a rag and the pull-type paint scraper or a wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while working. You'll need a heat gun in the event that the window is glued to the frame.

If you are planning to reinstall your original sash, remove the mold that holds the old pane. Then you can sand the sash down to ensure it's level and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is installed and sanded, apply a fresh silicone caulk around the glass to ensure it won't leak or discolor as time passes.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets. These are the grooves in the sash where the glass is. If they are hard to cut, place a hand tool like a heat gun over them for a few minutes to soften them. If you're using a heating gun, be cautious not to damage the sash or its railings by using the tool too closely.

Prepare the bed for your new pane after you have removed the old glaze points and putty. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your hands, forming it to be about 1/2-inch thick. Then, press it into the rabbets in which the glass will be. The glass should rest against the putty on both sides. If you need to gently tap your glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has damaged, you can use the silicone caulk or glass glue made from solvents to seal the crack before pressing it into the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you'll need to use putty to keep water out. Once the putty is dry remove the oily film from the glass and let it dry completely before painting. Paint after the putty is completely dry. It won't make a strong seal and could discolor or leak over time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a broken pane of glass. 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 pane replacement could be replaced at a fraction of the cost it would cost for a professional.

If you are working with large glass windows first ensure it is securely fixed to the frame. Using the proper tools and techniques you can make this task relatively easy and fast.

If you're ready to begin taking off the old window pane by prying out the metal glazing points that are connected to it. These are tiny metal triangles that function as "nails" that hold the window in place. They are submerged beneath a layer of glazing putty, which hardens into a solid, formed wedge that holds the window firmly in place and hides the points.

After you have the old pane taken away clean the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape off any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were. These should be sanded to bare wood, so that you can paint them the same color as the rest of the frame. After sanding, apply a layer of flax oil to the wood's surface to extend the life of the frame.

Next, measure the dimensions of the window's opening. It is necessary to measure the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the entire opening, as well as the thickness. 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 bring these measurements to a hardware store or home improvement shop and get 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.