10 Easy Steps To Start Your Own Replace Window Pane Business

How to Replace window pane Window Panes

A cracked window pane is an issue. This can be an opportunity to upgrade to energy-efficient windows or insulated ones and enjoy benefits such as improved comfort, higher resale value and lower utility costs.

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

Glass

Replace your old single-paned windows with tempered or insulated glass to increase the efficiency of your energy, reduce noise, and preserve the original character of your old home. The procedure of replacing a window pane is relatively easy and can be accomplished by homeowners with basic hand tools. In addition to a replacement pane, the following items are needed such as latex glazing putty; pliers, glazier's points and the use of a heat gun to warm the old putty if required. Wear safety goggles and gloves before you begin. Working with broken glass can cause serious injuries.

Take away any broken glass pieces remaining. It is recommended to use pliers for this, but a flathead can work as well. Make use of a wood chisel or putty knife to get rid of any old putty remaining around the frame and the window sash. Be careful and slow making sure not to damage the old window sash. It is best to do this on a stable ladder rather than on the ground, and to have someone stand below the sash to help keep it steady.

Once you have removed all the old putty, prepare the window frame to accommodate the new pane. Take measurements of the width and height of the sash opening, subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). Take these measurements to an hardware store or home center and have a piece of stock glass cut to size. You can also cut the glass by yourself if you have the right tools.

After putting in the new pane After installing the new pane, apply a small amount of caulking around the edges to seal it against weather. Then install a glazier's point on each side of the frame to hold the pane in the right place. The points shouldn't be too tight that they cause friction between the sash and frame but they shouldn't be too loose.

Before applying the putty to the surface, you must knead it thoroughly until it becomes soft and free of lumps. Then you can roll it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip to the corner of the frame, working from one corner to another to ensure it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

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

After the old putty and the glazier's point are gone and the frame is thoroughly cleaned with a utility knife to remove any remaining traces. If needed you can lightly sand the wood along the rabbet grooves to smooth rough spots. If you decide to sand the wood, make sure to protect it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

Take the dimensions of the frame and record precise measurements. These dimensions can be taken to an hardware or home centers store, and the new frame will be cut a bit smaller. This will ensure that the pane fits perfectly and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and push it in place with your hand. Utilize the chisel's point, or the back of the putty blade to smudge the glaziers' points as shown in Figure 11. When you're done taping, they should be flush with the top edge of the pane and the shoulders that are raised of the points should be just below the lip of the rabbet 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 it to dry completely and cure.

Install the new window sash after the glazing compound has dried. First, coat the wood with a thick coat of Linseed oil. This will prevent the new putty from drying out or cracking when it absorbs moisture. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or even the tip of the blade. Then use the chisel that is on the back of the tool or the back of the putty handle to gently hit the new sash, Replace Window pane or glazier's point into rabbet grooves. Repeat this process every 10 inches around the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown or a rock thrown in error, or a tree falling could result in a broken or cracked window. Fortunately, windows can be repaired by simply placing a new piece of glass in its the proper place. The glass is held in place with tiny metal clips known as a glazier's point, and putty, also called glazing compound. Before installing a replacement pane, first get rid of the old one and clean the area using an abrasive and an abrasive scraper that is a pull type or an abrasive wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while working. If the window is glued to the frame, you'll have to employ a heat gun in order to soften the adhesive prior to prying it free.

If you are planning to replace window pane the original sash, remove any molding pieces that are used to secure the old pane. Sand the sash until it is flat and ready to receive new caulk. Once the sash is re-installed then, apply a new silicone caulk around the glass to ensure it will not leak or change color as time passes.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets, the grooves in the sash where the glass is. If they're difficult to chisel, use an instrument such as a heatgun over them to allow them to soften before. If you're using a heated gun, be careful not to damage the railings of the sash or the sash itself by placing the tool too closely.

Make the bed for your new pane after removing the old putty and glazing points. Roll a rope made of glazing compound between your fingers, and then make it about 1/2 inch thick. Press it into the rabbets where the glass will be put. It's important that the glass is positioned against the putty in all places on both sides, so if you need to do so, gently tap the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack, you can cover it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk prior to pressing it into the sash. If the crack isn't sealed, you will need to apply putty to keep the water out. Once the putty is dry, wipe the oily film off the glass and let it dry completely before painting. Paint before the putty is completely dry. It won't form a good seal and could leak or discolor with time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a damaged piece of glass. The truth is, replacing a single pane glass doesn't have to be costly when you do it on your own. Even double glazed replacement windows-paned windows can be replaced at a fraction of the cost it would cost an expert.

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

When you are ready to start, remove the old window pane. Pry out the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles that function as "nails" that keep the window in place in the wood frame. They are buried beneath a bead or glazing putty that sets to form an unbreakable wedge that holds the frame firmly in position and hides the sharp edges.

After removing the old pane, clean the frame and wood. Scrape away any old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were. Sand them down to clean wooden surfaces, allowing you to paint the frames the same color. After sanding, apply a layer of flax oil on the bare wood to prolong its life.

The next step is to determine the width of the window's opening. It is necessary to take vertical and horizontal measurements of the entire opening and also the thickness of the old pane. To determine 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 dimensions to your local hardware or home improvement store, and they will have 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.