How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane can be an issue. This could be an opportunity to upgrade to energy-efficient windows or insulated ones, and reap 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 employ an expert. It requires the right tools and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

Replace your old single-paned windows with tempered insulate glass to improve energy efficiency, cut down on noise, and protect the historical integrity of your old home. The procedure of replacing windows is simple and can be done by anyone with basic hand tools. In addition to a Windowpane Replacement pane, the following components are required for the replacement process: latex glazing putty pliers, glazier's points and an electric heater to warm the old putty if required. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to starting. Working with broken glass could result in serious injuries.

Take out any broken glass pieces remaining. This is best done using a pair of pliers, however, flathead screwdrivers can be used in the pinch. Then, use a wood chisel, or putty knife, to take the remainder of the old putty around the frame and the sash. Be careful not to scratch the window sash. Be careful and slow. This can be done best on a ladder, not on the ground. Also, you should have someone below the sash keep it in place.

Once you have removed all the old putty, it is time to prepare the window frame to accommodate the new pane. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction by subtracting 1/8 inch from the measurements of width and height. These measurements can be sent to an hardware or home centers store to get cut a piece of stock glass to the right size. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself, if you have the right tools.

After installing the glass Apply caulking to the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Install a glazier's point on both sides of the frame. This will secure the pane. The points shouldn't be too tight that they create friction between the frame and sash, but they also should not be too loose.

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

Glazier's Points

The glazier's facets are tiny triangular pieces of steel that help secure glass into a window frame without scratching or damaging the delicate surface. It's simple to learn how to use this nefarious tool, and you'll save money on the expense of a professional installation.

After removing the old putty, glazier points as well as any remaining remnants clean the frame thoroughly with an utility knife. Lightly sand the frame in the rabbet grooves, if necessary, to smooth out rough areas. If you decide to sand the wood, be sure to protect it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

Take measurements of the empty frame and write down accurate measurements. Take these measurements to a hardware store or home center and have the new pane cut smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a secure fit and will allow room for expansion and contraction.

Insert the new pane into the frame and press it down with your hands. Make use of the point of the chisel or the back of the putty blade to smudge the glazier's points as illustrated in Figure 11. When you're done, they should be flush with the top edge of the pane and the shoulders of the points should be below the rabbet's lip. groove.

Apply a thin bead of glazing compound on the edges of the new glass and in the rabbet grooves to seal and protect them. Let it dry and cure completely.

Install the new window sash when the glazing compound has dried. First, coat the wood with a thick coat of linseed oil. This will stop the new putty from taking up moisture and deteriorating and cracking with time. Use a brush to apply this coat, or even the tip of the blade. Then use the chisel on the back of the tool or the back of the putty handle to gently hammer the new sash or glazier's tip into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown or a rock thrown in error or a branch falling can result in a cracked or cracked window. Luckily, most replacements windows can be replaced by simply putting a new piece in the right place. The glass is held in the position with a tiny metal clip, called a glazier's point and putty. This compound is also referred to as glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area with the rag, a pull-type scraper or wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while you do this work. If the window is secured to the frame, you'll need make use of a heat gun to soften the adhesive prior to cutting it loose.

If you're planning to install the original sash, gently remove any pieces of molding that are used to secure the old pane. Then sand the sash to make sure it's flat and ready to be re-caulked. Once the sash is re-installed then, apply a new silicone caulk around the glass to ensure it won't leak or discolor over time.

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets and the grooves in the sash that the glass is. If they're difficult to work out, try placing an instrument like a heat gun to soften them before you do. When using a heated tool, be sure to not scratch the sash or its railings.

After the old points of glazing and putty have been removed, prepare 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, where the glass will rest. The glass should 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 glass glue or silicone caulk prior pressing it into the sash. Otherwise, you'll need to apply putty on the crack to form an impervious seal to keep water out. After the putty has dried clean the oily film off the glass and let it dry completely before painting. Paint before the putty has completely dried. It will not create a solid seal and may be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a broken pane of glass. In reality, replacing a single pane glass doesn't need to be expensive when you do it on your own. In fact windows with double panes can be replaced for a fraction of the cost of a professional.

If you are working with large glass replacements windows first, ensure that it is securely fixed to the frame. With the right tools and techniques you can make this task relatively easy and fast.

If you're ready to begin with the removal of the old window pane by removing the metal glazing points that are attached to it. These are tiny triangles of metal which act as "nails" to hold the window in place. They are buried beneath a layer of glazing putty that transforms into a solid molded wedge which holds the window replacement cost in place and hides the points.

After you have removed the old pane taken away, clean up the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape off any old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves that the glazing points were placed. Sand them down to clean wooden surfaces so you can paint the frames with the same color. After the sanding process, apply a coat of flax oil on the wood's surface to prolong its life.

The next step is to measure the dimensions of the window opening. You'll need 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 you get a precise size for the new pane. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. Bring these measurements to the hardware or home improvement store and ask them to cut you the glass cut for you.

Now, it's time to bed the new window screen replacement 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.