How to replace window Pane Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window can be a nuisance. This can be an opportunity to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones, and reap benefits like increased comfort, higher resale value and reduced utility bills.

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

Glass

If your single pane windows are old damaged, cracked or deteriorating replacing them with more modern glass that is tempered or insulated can increase energy efficiency and decrease noise while maintaining the historic integrity of older homes. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can repair windows with ease. You will also need an additional window glass replacement pane, glazier's tips, pliers, and latex glazing putty. If necessary you may make use of a heat gun to warm the old putty. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to starting. Working with broken glass could result in serious injuries.

Remove any broken glass pieces remaining. It is recommended to use pliers for this, but a flathead can work as well. Use a wood chisel, or putty knives, to take away any old putty that remains around the frame and the window sash. Be careful to not break the window sash. Be careful and slow. It is best to work on a sturdy ladder rather than the ground and to have someone stand below the sash in order to help hold it steady.

Make sure the window frame is ready to accept the new pane after you have removed the old putty. Measure the width and height of the opening in the sash and subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). These measurements can be sent to a hardware or home center store to have a piece cut of stock glass to the right size. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself if you have the tools you need.

After installing the new glass Apply a small amount of caulking around the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then, you can install a glazier's pointing on the frame's opposite side to secure the pane in the right place. The points shouldn't be so tight that they create friction between the frame and the sash However, they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty to the surface, knead thoroughly until it is soft and free of lumps. Then make it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be placed in the corner of the frame, working from one corner to the other to ensure it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

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

After the old putty as well as the glazier's point are gone Clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife to eliminate any remaining residue. If necessary, lightly sand the wood along grooves of the rabbets to smooth rough spots. If you do sand your wood, be sure to protect it with painter's tack to avoid accidental damage.

Write down the exact dimensions of the frame. Take these measurements to a hardware store or a home center and have the new pane cut slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a snug fit and leave room for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and push firmly with your hands. Make use of the chisel's point or the back of the putty blade to smudge the glazier's points, as shown in Figure 11. The glazier's point should be flush against the top edge of your pane, and the shoulders should be just beneath that lip.

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

Install the new replacement window glass sash once the glazing compound has dried. First, coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will keep the new putty from soaking up moisture and drying out and cracking with time. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or the tip of the blade. Then use the chisel on the back of the putty tool or the back of the handle to gently hammer the new sash or glazier's tip into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown at you, an errant rock or falling branch could cause a window pane to break or crack. The majority of windows can be replaced by putting in a new piece. The glass is held in place by tiny metal clips known as a glazier's point, and putty, which is often called glazing compound. Before installing a new pane, first remove the old one and clean up the area using the help of a rag, the pull-type paint scraper or a wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while doing this work. You'll need a heating gun if the window is glued into the frame.

If you are planning to replace the original sash, gently remove any pieces of molding that are used to secure the old pane. Sand the sash until it is flat and ready for new caulk. After the sash has been re-installed then, apply a new silicone caulk around the glass to ensure it doesn't swell or fade over time.

Remove the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash, where the glass is. If they're difficult to chisel, hold an instrument like a heat gun over them to soften first. If you're using a heating gun, be careful not to scratch the sash or its railings by using the tool too close.

Create a bed for your new pane after you have removed the old putty and glazing points. Roll a rope made of glazing compound between your fingers and make it around 1/2 inch thick. Then, push it into the rabbets where the glass will rest. 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 is cracked, you can cover it with a solvent-based glass 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 water out. After the putty is dry, clean the oily film off the glass with an abrasive and allow it to dry completely prior to painting. Paint after the putty is completely dry. It will not make a strong seal and could be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a broken piece of glass. However, replacing one glass pane does not need to cost a fortune if you do it yourself. In fact even windows with double panes can be replaced at a fraction of the cost of a professional.

If you're working with large glass windows, first make sure it is securely fixed to the frame. With the right tools and techniques to complete this task easily and replace window pane fast.

Once 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 small metal triangles that function as "nails" that hold the window in place. They are placed under a bead of glazing putty that transforms into a solid molded wedge that secures the window in place and hides the edges.

After you have removed the old pane removed, clean up the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape off any old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves in which the glazing points were. Sand them down to bare wooden surfaces, allowing you to paint the frames with the same shade. After sanding the wood then apply a layer of flax oil. This will help prolong the life of the frame.

Then, you need to 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 dimensions of the new pane subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. Bring these measurements to the 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.