The Secret Secrets Of Replace Window Pane

How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane could cause a lot of trouble. It could be a chance to upgrade to energy-efficient windows or insulated ones and enjoy benefits such as improved comfort, increased resale value and lower utility costs.

You can do it yourself for only a fraction of the cost it would cost to hire an expert. You only need the right tools and a few minutes of your time.

Glass

Replace your old single-paned windows with tempered insulation glass to improve energy efficiency, reduce noise, and maintain the original character of your older home. Most homeowners with basic hand tools can replace windows with ease. You will also need a replacement double glazed window window pane, glazier's tips pliers, and latex glazing putty. If necessary you may make use of a heat gun to warm the old putty. Before starting, wear gloves and safety glasses as working with broken glass can cause injuries.

Remove any broken glass pieces that remain. It is best to use pliers for this however, a flathead may work equally. After that, use a wood chisel or putty knife remove the remaining old putty from the frame and the sash. Be careful and slow, taking care not to break the existing window sash. It is recommended to do this on a sturdy ladder instead of the ground and to place someone on the sash in order to help hold it in place.

Once you've removed all the old putty, you can prepare the window frame to fit the new pane. Find the width and the height of the opening in the sash by 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 cut the glass yourself if you possess the appropriate tools.

After installing the new pane after installing the new pane, put a tiny amount of caulking around the edge to ensure it is weatherproof. Install a glazier’s point on both sides of the frame. This will help secure the pane. The points should not be so tight that they create friction between the sash and the frame but they shouldn't be loose.

Before applying the putty on the surface, knead thoroughly until it is smooth and free from lumps. Cut it into pencil-sized pieces. Apply the first strip to the frame's corner. Work from one corner to another and ensure that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are the small triangular pieces of metal that help secure glass into the frame of a window without damaging or scratching the delicate surface. Understanding how to use these little helpers is easy and can save you money on a professional installation or the cost of new glass.

After the old putty and the glazier's point are gone, thoroughly clean the frame with a knife to remove any remaining traces. Lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves, if necessary, to smooth rough areas. If you decide to sand the wood, be sure to protect it with painter's tack to avoid accidental damage.

Measure the empty frame's dimensions and write down accurate measurements. Take these dimensions to an hardware store or home center, and have the new pane cut smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure that the pane fits comfortably and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new window 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 blade to smudge the glaziers' points as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's points should sit aligned with the top edge of your pane, and the 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. Let it dry and cure fully.

Install the new window sash when the glazing compound has dried. First, saturate the wood with a thick coat of linseed oil. This will stop the new putty from drying out and cracking when it absorbs moisture. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or the tip of the blade. Then use the chisel on the back of the tool or the back of the putty handle to gently smash the new sash or glazier's point into grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches around the frame's perimeter.

Putty

A baseball that is thrown or an unintentional rock, or a fallen branch can cause a window to crack or break. Most windows can be replaced easily by installing a new piece. The glass is held into place by a small metal clip, also known as a glazier's point and putty. This compound is also known as glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area using an abrasive, pull-type scraper or wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and sash gloves while working. You'll need a heating gun in the event that the window is glued to the frame.

If you are planning to replace the original sash, remove any molding pieces that are used to secure the old pane. Then sand the sash to ensure it's smooth and ready to be re-caulked. Once the sash is re-installed and sanded, apply a fresh silicone caulk to the glass to ensure that it won't leak or discolor as time passes.

Remove the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves in the sash, where the glass is located. If they're difficult to work out, try placing a hand tool like a heat gun to soften them up first. If you're using a heating gun, be cautious not to damage the railings of the sash or the sash itself by placing the tool too close.

Once the old glaze points and putty have been removed make a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope made of glazing compound between your fingers, and make it about 1/2 inch thick. Then, push it into the rabbets in which the glass will be. The glass must rest against the putty on both sides. If you need to, lightly tap your glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack you can fill it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk prior to pressing it into the sash. Otherwise, you'll need to apply putty on the crack to form an impervious seal to keep water out. When the putty dries then clean the oily film off the glass using a rag and allow it to dry completely before painting. Paint before the putty has completely dried. It will not create a solid seal and could discolor or leak over time.

Paint

If you've experienced a broken window pane, you may be concerned about the expense of a new one. The truth is, replacing a single piece of glass doesn't need to be expensive when you do it on your own. Even a double-paned window could be replaced at a fraction of the cost it will cost a professional.

If you're working with a large glass window first ensure it is securely fixed to the frame. With the right tools and techniques you can accomplish this task fairly easily and quick.

When you are ready to start, remove the old window pane. Remove the metal glazing points attached to it. These are essentially small metal triangles that act as "nails" which hold the window in place within the frame of wood. They are submerged beneath a layer of glazing putty, which hardens into a solid, formed wedge that secures the window in place and conceals the window's points.

After removal of the old pane clean the frame and the wood. Scrape away any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were. Sand them to bare wooden surfaces so you can paint the frames with the same shade. After sanding the wood you can apply a layer flax oil. This will help to prolong the life of the frame.

Next, measure the width of the window's opening. You'll need to determine the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the entire opening as well as the thickness. To get 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. Take these dimensions to your local hardware or home improvement store and ask them to cut you cut the glass 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.