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How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane can be a nuisance. It could also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows replacement to benefit from more comfort, higher potential for resales, and less bills.

It's a task you can tackle yourself at 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 old single-paned windows using tempered or insulation glass to improve energy efficiency, cut down on noise, and protect the historical integrity of your older home. The procedure of replacing the window pane is easy and can be completed by most homeowners who possess basic hand tools. In addition to a new pane, the following items are required such as latex glazing putty; glazier's points; pliers; and an electric heater to warm the old putty if required. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to beginning. Working with broken glass could result in serious injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. This is best accomplished with the help of pliers though using a flathead screwdriver can also be used in a pinch. Make use of a wood chisel or putty knives, to take away any old putty remaining around the frame and Replacement Double Glazing Windows the window sash. Be careful to not scratch the window sash. Be careful and slow. This can be done best on a ladder, not on the ground. Also, you should have someone below the sash hold it steady.

Make sure the window frame is ready to accept the new pane once you have removed the old glue. Find the width and the height of the opening in the sash, 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. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself, if you have the right tools.

After installing the new pane After installing the new pane, apply a small amount of caulking along the edge to make it weatherproof. Install a glazier's point on both sides of the frame. This will secure the pane. The points shouldn't be too tight that they create friction between the sash and frame however they shouldn't be too loose.

Before applying the putty on the surface, gently knead it until it becomes soft and free from lumps. Then, roll it into pencil-size strips. The first strip should be glued to the frame's corner. Work from corner to corner and ensure that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are tiny triangular pieces of metal that help secure the glass to the frame without causing damage to the delicate surface. It's easy to understand how to use this nefarious tool and you can save money on the cost of an installation by a professional.

After the old putty and glazier's points are removed, thoroughly clean the frame with a knife to eliminate any remaining traces. If necessary, lightly sand the wood along rabbet grooves to smooth rough areas. If you do sand your wood, make sure to protect it with painter's tack to avoid accidental damage.

Note down the exact dimensions of the frame. These measurements can be taken to the hardware or home center store, and the new pane will be cut a bit smaller. This will ensure a secure fit, and allow for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and push it into place firmly with your hand. Use the point of the chisel or the edge of the putty blade to smudge the glaziers' points as shown in Figure 11. The glazier's points should sit aligned with the top edge of your pane and the shoulders raised should be just beneath that lip.

Apply a thin bead of glazing compound over the edges of the new glass and into the rabbet grooves to seal and protect them. Let it dry and cure fully.

Install the new window sash once the glazing compound has dried. First, saturate the wood with a heavy coat of linseed oil. This will prevent the newly-created putty from drying out or cracking as it absorbs moisture. Apply this coat using a brush or the edge of your putty knife, then employ the chisel or back end of the putty knife to gently hammer the new sash and glazier's points into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process every 10 inches around the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A baseball hit, a rock thrown in error, or a tree falling can cause a broken or cracked window pane. Most windows can be replaced by simply putting in a fresh piece. The glass is held into position by a small metal clip, also known as a glazier's point and putty. This compound is also referred to as glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area using a rag, a scraper that is a pull type or a wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while working. You'll need a heat gun if the window is glued to the frame.

If you are planning to reinstall the original sash, take off the mold that holds the old pane. Then, sand the sash to make sure it's flat and ready to be re-caulked. Once the sash is installed, you can apply a silicone caulk to the glass. This will ensure that it won't be leaking or fade over time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets, or the grooves in the sash, where the glass sits. If they are hard to cut, place a hand tool such as a heating gun over them for a few minutes to soften them. If you're using a heat gun, make sure not to cause damage to the sash or its railings by placing the tool too close.

Prepare the bed for your new pane after removing the old glaze points and putty. Roll a rope made of glazing compound between your fingers and make it around 1/2 inch thick. Then, you can press it into the rabbets, where the glass will sit. The glass must be positioned against the putty on both sides. If necessary you want to tap your glass lightly into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack you can fill it with a solvent-based glass glue or silicone caulk prior to pressing it into the sash. If the crack isn't sealed, you'll require putty to keep the water out. After the putty has dried clean the oily film off of the glass and let it dry completely before you paint. Paint after the putty has dried completely. It won't make a strong seal and could be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a damaged piece of glass. It's true that replacing a single pane of glass doesn't have to be costly even if you do it your own. Even replacement Double glazing Windows-paned windows can be replaced at a fraction of the cost it will cost a professional.

If you are working on a large window, make sure it is securely attached to the frame. This job can be made relatively simple and quick with the right tools and techniques.

When you are ready to begin, remove the old window pane. Remove the metal glazing points attached to it. These are basically small metal triangles which function as "nails" that keep the window replacement companies in place in the wood frame. They are placed under a glaze putty or bead that hardens to a solid wedge which holds the wood frame firmly in position and hides the sharp edges.

Once you have the old pane taken away Clean up the frame and 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 shade as the rest of the frame. After sanding the wood, apply a layer of flax oil. This will help extend its life.

Next, measure the width 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 size of the new pane, subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass during seasonal change. You can take these measurements to a hardware store or home improvement shop 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.