How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window replacement cost can cause a lot of trouble. It could be a chance to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones to enjoy benefits such as improved comfort, increased resale values and lower utility costs.

You can do it yourself at less than what it would cost to employ an expert. You only need the right tools and a few minutes of your time.

Glass

replace Window pane your single-paned windows using tempered or insulation glass to improve energy efficiency, cut down on noise, and protect the original character of your older home. Most homeowners with basic hand tools can replace the window pane. You'll also require an additional window pane, glazier's suggestions, pliers, and latex glaze putty. If necessary you can use a heating gun to warm the old putty. Before starting, put on gloves and safety glasses as working with broken glass could cause injuries.

Take away any broken glass pieces remaining. It is recommended to use pliers however, a flathead may work equally. Then, use a wooden chisel or putty knife to remove the remaining old putty from around the frame and sash. Be careful not to damage the window sash. Take your time and work slowly. This is best done on an elevated ladder, not on the ground. Also, have someone lower to hold it steady.

Make sure the window frame is ready to receive the new pane after you have removed the old glue. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction and contraction, subtract 1/8 inch from the measurements of the width and height. These measurements can be taken to an hardware or home centers store to have a piece cut of stock glass to the right size. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself if have the appropriate tools.

After installing the glass, apply some caulking on the edges. 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 too tight that they cause friction between the sash and frame however they shouldn't be loose.

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

Glazier's Points

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

After taking off the old putty, glazier points, and any other remnants, clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife. Lightly sand the wood into the rabbet grooves if needed to smooth out rough areas. If you do sand the wood, be sure to protect it with painter's tack to avoid accidental damage.

Take the dimensions of the frame and write down accurate measurements. These measurements can be taken to an hardware or home centers store, and the new frame will be cut a bit smaller. This will ensure a tight fit and leave room for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and press it down with your hands. Use the chisel's point, or the back of the putty knife to smudge the glazier's points, as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's point should be in line with the top edge of your pane, and the raised shoulders should be just below the lip.

Apply a small amount of glazing compound on the edges of the new glass and into the rabbet grooves to seal and protect them. Let it dry and cure completely.

Install the new window sash after the glazing compound has dried. The first step is to coat the wood with a heavy coat of linseed oil. This will prevent the newly-created putty drying out or 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 hit the new sash, or glazier's tip into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.

Putty

A baseball hit or a rock thrown by error, or a fallen tree can result in a cracked or cracked window. Luckily, most windows can be replaced by simply placing a new piece of glass in its the right place. The glass is held into position by a small metal clip, referred to as the glazier's point, and putty. This compound is also called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area using an abrasive, pull-type scraper or wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves while working. You'll need a heating gun if the window is glued to the frame.

If you're planning to reinstall your original sash, remove the molding that holds the old pane. Then sand the sash to make sure it's flat and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is installed then, apply a new silicone caulk around the glass to ensure that it will not leak or change color as time passes.

Take out the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash, where the glass is located. If they're difficult to work out, try holding a hand tool like a heat gun over them to soften them before you do. If you're using a heated gun, be cautious not to scratch the railings or sash by placing the tool too closely.

Once the old glaze points and putty have been removed prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your hands, shaping it to be around 1/2-inch thick. Then, you can press it into the rabbets in which the glass will rest. The glass should rest against the putty on both sides. If you need to you want to tap your glass lightly into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked then you can seal 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 airtight seal and keep water out. When the putty dries then clean the oily film off the glass with the help of a rag. Allow it to dry completely before painting. If you paint before the putty is fully dry, it will not form a solid seal and replace window pane could leak or discolor in time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a broken pane of glass. But the truth is that replacing one glass pane does not have to break the bank when you do it yourself. Even a replacement double glazed window-paned window can be replaced for a fraction of the price it would cost a professional.

If you are working with large glass windows first, ensure that it is securely fixed to the frame. By using the correct tools and techniques, you can make this task relatively easy and speedy.

When you're ready to start, begin by removing the old window pane by removing the metal glazing points that are attached to it. These are essentially small metal triangles that function as "nails" that keep the window in in the wood frame. They are placed under a bead of glazing putty, which is then cured to form a solid, replace window pane formed wedge that secures the window in place and hides the edges.

After removing the old pane, clean the frame and wood. Scrape off any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves, where the glazing points used to be. Sand them down to clean wood surfaces, so that you can paint the frames with the same shade. After sanding, apply a coat of flax oil to the bare wood to prolong its life.

Then, you need to measure the width of the window opening. You'll need to determine the horizontal and vertical 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 allow for seasonal changes in the glass. Take these measurements to the hardware or home improvement store, and they will 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.