How to Replace Window Panes

A cracked window pane is a nuisance. This can be an opportunity to upgrade to energy-efficient windows replacement handles for windows glass (https://heavenarticle.com/author/hattin8-205133) or insulated ones, and reap advantages like improved comfort, increased resale value and reduced utility costs.

You can do it yourself for a less than what it would cost to employ an expert. It requires the right tools and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

If your single pane windows are old broken, deteriorating or damaged replacing them with more modern glass that is tempered or insulated will improve energy efficiency and reduce noise while preserving the original character of older homes. Most homeowners with basic hand tools can repair the window pane. In addition to a replacement window pane, the following tools are needed for the replacement process: latex glazing putty Glazier's points; pliers and a heat gun for warming the old putty, if needed. Wear safety goggles and gloves before you begin. Working with broken glass can cause serious injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. It is recommended to use pliers, but a flathead can work as well. Then, use a wood chisel or putty knife remove the rest of the old putty from around the frame and the sash. Be careful not to scratch the window sash. Take your time and work slowly. This can be done best on an elevated ladder, not on the ground. Also, you should have someone lower to ensure it is held steady.

Once you have removed all the old putty, it is time to prepare the window replacement panes frame to fit the new pane. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction by subtracting 1/8 inch from the measurements of width and height. Bring these measurements to a hardware store or home center, and have a piece of stock glass cut to size. You can also cut the glass yourself if have the appropriate tools.

After installing the new pane, run a small bead of caulking around the edges to seal it against weather. Install a glazier's pointing on both sides of the frame. This will help secure the pane. The points should not be so tight that they cause friction between the sash and frame but they should not be too loose.

Before applying the putty, knead it thoroughly until it is smooth and free of lumps. Then you can roll it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip 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 small triangular pieces of metal that help secure the glass to the frame without causing any damage to the fragile surface. Understanding how to use these little helpers is easy and can save you money on professional installation or the cost of new glass.

After getting rid of the old putty glazier points as well as any remaining residue Clean the frame thoroughly using an utility knife. If needed, lightly sand the wood in the grooves of the rabbet to smooth out rough spots. If you do sand your 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 a tight fit and will allow room for expansion and contraction.

Place the new window in the frame and push it into place firmly with your hand. Make use of the chisel's point, or the back of the putty knife 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. the shoulders of the points should be below the rabbet's lip. groove.

Apply a thin layer of glazing compound on the rabbet grooves as well as the edges of new glass. This will seal and protect the edges. Let it dry completely and cure.

After the glazing compound dries it's time to put in the new window double glazing replacement sash. The first step is to coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will stop the new putty from sucking in the moisture and drying out and cracking over time. Use a brush to apply this coat, or the tip of the 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 tip into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball that is thrown or a rock that is errant or a falling branch can cause a window to break or crack. Fortunately, the majority of windows can be easily replaced by simply placing a new piece of glass in its the right place. The glass is held in position by a small metal clip, called a glazier’s point and putty. This compound is also referred to as glazing compound. Before you install a new pane, first get rid of the old one and clean up the area using the help of a rag, an abrasive scraper that is a pull type or an abrasive wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves when you work. You'll need a heat gun when the window is fixed into 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, apply a new caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure it doesn't swell or fade as time passes.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets and the grooves in the sash, where the glass is. If they are hard to chisel, hold an instrument such as a heating gun over them for a few minutes to soften them. If you're using a heated gun, be cautious not to cause damage to the railings of the sash or the sash itself by placing the tool too close.

Once the old points of glazing and putty have been removed, make a bed for the new pane. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, shaping it into a 1/2-inch thick. Then, press it into the rabbets in which the glass will sit. The glass must be positioned against the putty on both sides. If needed gently 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 before pressing it into the sash. If the crack isn't sealed, you'll need to apply putty to keep the water out. After the putty has dried and the film is oily, wipe it off the glass with the help of a rag. Allow it to dry completely prior to painting. Paint after the putty has dried completely. It won't create a solid seal and could discolor or leak over time.

Paint

If you've had a broken window pane, you might be worried about the cost of replacing it. But the truth is that replacing a single glass pane doesn't require a huge amount of money if you do it yourself. In fact even replacements windows with double panes can be replaced for only a fraction of the cost of a professional.

If you are working with large glass windows first ensure it is securely attached to the frame. This can be done relatively easy and quick with the appropriate tools and techniques.

Once you're ready to begin, begin by removing the old window pane by removing the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles which function as "nails" that keep the window in place within the frame of wood. They are submerged beneath a layer of glazing putty that is then cured to form a solid, molded wedge that secures the window in place and hides the points.

After removal of the old pane clean the frame and wood. Scrape away any old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves, where the glazing points used to be. 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 prolong the life of the frame.

The next step is to determine the size of the window opening. You'll need to determine the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the entire opening, as well as the thickness. To determine the exact dimensions of the new pane subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass in times of seasonal change. You can bring these measurements to a hardware or home improvement store 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.