How to Replace Window Panes

A cracked window pane can cause a lot of trouble. It could also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows to enjoy benefits such as more comfort, higher potential for resales, and less bills.

This is a project you could do yourself for a fraction of the cost of hiring an expert. You'll need only the proper tools and a few minutes of your time.

Glass

replace Window pane your old single-paned windows with tempered or insulation glass to improve energy efficiency, reduce noise, and preserve the historical integrity of your home's older. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can repair the window pane. In addition to a upvc replacement window handles pane, the following items are required for the replacement glass for windows process: latex glazing putty pliers, glazier's points and a heat gun for warming the old putty if required. Wear safety glasses and gloves prior to beginning. Working with broken glass could cause serious injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. It is best to use pliers however, a flathead may be used as well. Use a wood chisel, or Replace Window Pane putty knives to remove any old putty remaining around the frame and the window sash. Take your time and work slowly making sure not to damage the old window sash. 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 putty. Measure the width and height of the opening for the sash and subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). Bring these measurements to a hardware store or home center and find a piece glass cut to size. You can also cut the glass by yourself if you possess the right tools.

After putting in the new glass Apply caulking on the edges. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then install a glazier's point on each side of the frame to secure the pane in place. The points shouldn't be so tight that they cause friction between the sash and the frame but they shouldn't be too loose.

Before applying the putty knead it thoroughly until it is smooth and free of lumps. Then make it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip to the frame's corner. Work from corner to corner, making sure it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier’s points are small triangular metal pieces which help to secure the glass into the window frame without causing any damage to the fragile surface. Knowing how to use these hidden little helpers is easy and can save you money on professional installation or the cost of buying new glass.

After removing the old putty, glazier points as well as any remaining residue clean the frame thoroughly with an utility knife. If necessary you can lightly sand the wood along the grooves of the rabbet to smooth rough spots. If you sand wood protect it with painter's tape to protect it from damage caused by accidental sanding.

Note down the exact dimensions of the frame. Bring these measurements to a hardware store or home center, and have the new pane made slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a tight fit and leave room for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane in the frame and push it in place with your hand. Then use the point of your chisel or the back end of the putty knife to pierce the glazier's points, as illustrated in Figure 11. When you're done taping, they should be in line with the top edge of the pane, and the shoulders of the points should be below the lip of the rabbet groove.

Apply a small amount of glazing compound on the edges of the new glass and in the rabbet grooves, to seal and protect them. Allow it to 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 thick coat of linseed oil. This will stop the new putty drying out or cracking as it absorbs moisture. Apply this coat with a brush or the tip of your knife, then use the chisel or the back end from the putty knife to gently hammer in the new sash and glazier's points into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown or a rock thrown by error or a branch falling can cause a broken or cracked window pane. The majority of windows can be replaced easily by simply putting in a fresh piece. The glass is held in position by a small metal clip, referred to as a glazier’s point and putty. This compound is also referred to as glazing compound. Before you install a new pane, first take out the old one and clean the area with an abrasive and an abrasive scraper that is a pull type or an abrasive wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and Replace Window pane gloves while doing this work. You'll need a heat gun if the window is glued to the frame.

If you're planning to replace your original sash, you must remove the molding that holds the old pane. Sand the sash until it is flat and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is installed, apply a new caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure it will not leak or change color over time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash, where the glass is located. If they are hard to chisel, hold a hand tool such as a heatgun over them for a few minutes to soften them. When using a heated tool, be sure to avoid damaging the sash's railings and sash.

After the old glaze points and putty have been removed, make a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope 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 should rest against the putty on both sides. If necessary, lightly tap your glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked then you can seal it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk before pressing it into the sash. If not, you'll have to putty over the crack to form an airtight seal and keep water out. Once the putty is dry remove the oily film from the glass and let it dry completely before painting. Paint before the putty is completely dry. It will not make a strong seal and could leak or discolor with time.

Paint

If you've had a broken window pane, you might be concerned about the expense of replacing it. But the truth is that replacing one glass pane does not need to cost a fortune If you can do it yourself. Even a double-paned window could be replaced for a fraction of the price it costs an expert.

If you are working with large glass windows, first make sure it is securely attached to the frame. This task can be done relatively easy and quick with the right tools and techniques.

When you're ready to start, begin by removing the old window by prying out the metal glazing points that are connected to it. These are small metal triangles that act as "nails", holding the window in the frame. They are submerged beneath a glaze putty or bead which hardens into solid wedge that holds the wood frame securely in place and hides the sharp edges.

After removing the old pane, clean the frame and wood. Scrape off any old paint, and sand the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were. These should be sanded down to bare wood, to allow you to paint them the same color as the rest the frame. After sanding the wood then apply a layer of flax oil. This will help to prolong the life of the frame.

Next, measure the width of the window's opening. It is necessary to take horizontal and vertical measurements of the entire opening as well as the thickness of the old pane. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure that you have the exact size for the new pane. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. You can bring these measurements to a hardware or home improvement shop and get 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.