10 Life Lessons We Can Learn From Replace Window Pane

How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane could be a nuisance. It can also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows and benefit from more comfort, higher resale value and reduced utility costs.

This is a project you could take on yourself for a fraction of the cost of hiring a professional. You'll only require the proper tools and a few hours of your time.

Glass

Replace your old single-paned windows with tempered insulation glass to improve energy efficiency, reduce noise, and preserve the historic integrity of your old home. The majority of homeowners with basic hand tools can replace a window pane. You will also need an additional window pane, glazier's tips pliers, and latex glaze putty. If needed you can use a heating gun to warm the old putty. Before starting, wear gloves and safety goggles as working with broken glass can cause injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass replacement windows. It is best to use pliers however, a flathead may be useful equally. Use a wood chisel, Replace Window pane or putty knives, to take away any old putty that remains around the frame and window sash. Be careful to not damage the window sash. Work slowly and carefully. This should be done on a ladder, not the ground. Also, have someone on the ground to keep it in place.

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

After putting the new pane in place, run a small bead of caulking around the edges to make it weatherproof. Install a glazier’s point on both sides of the frame. This will secure the pane. The points should not be too tight that they create friction between the frame and sash, but they should also not 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. Apply the first strip in the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to the next to ensure it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular metal pieces that allow glass to be secured into the window frame without causing damage to the delicate surface. Knowing how to use these tiny helpers is simple and can save you money on a professional installation or the cost of new glass.

After the old putty and the glazier's points have been removed Clean the frame thoroughly with a knife to get rid of any remaining residue. Lightly sand the frame in the rabbet grooves to smooth rough areas. If you do sand your wood, be sure to protect it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

Take the dimensions of the frame and record precise measurements. Take these measurements to a hardware store or 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 in the frame and push it into the frame with your hand. Make use of the point of the chisel or the back of the putty knife to smudge the glaziers' points as shown in Figure 11. After you're done, the points should be level with the top edge of the pane. the shoulders that are raised of the points should be below the rabbet's rim groove.

Apply a thin layer of glazing compound over the edges of the glass that has been made and into the rabbet grooves to seal and protect them. Allow this to dry and cure fully.

Install the new window sash after the glazing compound has dried. First, coat the wood with a heavy coat of Linseed oil. This will prevent the newly-created putty drying out or cracking as it absorbs moisture. Apply the coating using a brush 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 smash the new sash or 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 by error, or a tree falling can cause a broken or cracked window. The majority of windows can be replaced by putting in a new piece. The glass is held in place with small clips made of metal called a glazier's point and putty, which is often called glazing compound. Before installing a new pane, first take out the old one and clean up the area with a rag and a pull-type paint scraper or a wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves when you work. You'll need a heat gun if the window is glued into the frame.

If you are planning to Replace Window Pane the original sash, gently remove the molding pieces that secure the old pane. Then sand the sash to ensure it's level and ready for new caulk. After the sash has been installed, you can apply a silicone caulk to the glass. This will ensure that it won't leak over time or discolor.

Take out the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash, where the glass is located. If they're hard to cut, place a hand tool such as a heatgun over them for a few minutes to soften them. If you're using a heating gun, be cautious not to cause damage to the railings or sash by holding the tool too close.

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

If the new pane has cracked, you can apply a silicone caulk or a glass glue based on solvents to cover the crack before pressing it in the sash. If not, you'll have to apply putty over the crack to form an impervious seal to keep water out. After the putty has dried clean the oily film off of the glass and let it dry completely before painting. If you paint before the putty has completely dry, it won't form an effective seal and could discolor or leak over time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a broken piece of glass. But the truth is that replacing one glass pane does not need to cost a fortune If you can do it yourself. In fact, even a double-pane window can be replaced at only a fraction of the cost of an expert.

First, if you are working on a large-sized window, make sure that it is securely fixed to the frame. By using the correct tools and techniques to accomplish this task fairly easily and fast.

If you're ready to begin with the removal of the old window pane by prying out the glazing points of metal that are connected to it. These are tiny triangles of metal that function as "nails" that hold the window within the frame. They are submerged beneath a bead or glazing putty that hardens to an unbreakable wedge that holds the wood frame securely in place and hides the sharp edges.

After removing the old pane, clean the frame and the wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used and sand the rabbet grooves in which the glazing points were. Sand them to bare wooden surfaces, allowing you to paint the frames the same shade. After sanding the wood you can apply a layer flax oil. This will help extend its life.

Next, measure the dimensions of the window opening. It is necessary to take horizontal and vertical measurements of the entire opening, and also the thickness of the old pane. To get the exact size of the new pane, subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. Take these measurements to your local hardware or home improvement store and ask them to cut you a piece 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.