How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane can be an issue. This could be an opportunity to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones to enjoy benefits such as improved comfort, increased resale value and reduced utility bills.

It's a project you can do yourself for only a fraction of the cost of hiring a professional. You'll need only the right tools and a few minutes of your time.

Glass

If your single pane windows are old, deteriorating or broken replacing them with more modern insulated or tempered glass can improve energy efficiency and reduce noise while also preserving the historic integrity of older homes. The process of replacing the window pane is simple and can be done by anyone with basic hand tools. You'll also require a Replacement glass for a window window pane, glazier's tips, pliers, and latex glaze putty. If necessary you can use a heating gun to warm the old putty. Before beginning, wear gloves and safety glasses as working with broken glass may cause injuries.

Take out any broken glass pieces remaining. It is best to use pliers for this however, a flathead may be used equally. Then, use a wooden chisel, or putty knife, to take the remainder of the old putty around the frame and the sash. Be careful to not scratch the window sash. Take your time and work slowly. This can be done best on a ladder, not the ground. Also, you should have someone on the ground to keep it in place.

Make sure that the window frame is ready to accommodate the new pane once you have removed the old putty. Find the width and the height of the sash opening and subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). These measurements can be taken to an hardware or home centers store to have a piece cut of glass stock to the proper size. You can also cut the glass by yourself if you possess the right tools.

After installing the new glass After installing the glass, apply some caulking to the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then install a glazier's point on each side of the frame to secure the pane in the right place. The points shouldn't be too tight that they create friction between the frame and the sash However, they should not be 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 corner of the frame. Work from corner to corner to ensure it's even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular pieces of steel which help to secure the glass into the window frame without damaging the delicate surface. It's simple to learn how to use this hidden tool, and you'll save money on the expense of an installation by a professional.

After getting rid of the old putty glazier points, and any other residue, clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife. Lightly sand the frame in the rabbet grooves if needed to smooth out rough areas. If you sand wood, protect it with painter’s tape to avoid accidental damage.

Take the dimensions of the frame and note down precise measurements. These dimensions can be taken to a home center or hardware store, and the new pane will be cut a bit smaller. This will ensure that the pane fits perfectly and allows for expansion and contraction.

Insert the new pane into the frame and push firmly using your hands. Use the chisel's point, or the edge of the putty blade to smudge the glaziers' points as shown in Figure 11. When you're done, they should be level with the top edge of the pane. the shoulders of the points should be below the rabbet's rim groove.

Apply a thin layer glazing compound on the rabbet grooves and edges of the new glass. This will seal and protect the edges. Allow this to dry and cure fully.

When the glazing compound is dry, you're ready to install the new window sash. The first step is to coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will prevent the new putty from sucking up the moisture and deteriorating and cracking with time. Apply this coat using a brush or the tip of your putty knife, and then use the chisel or the back end of the putty knife to gently hammer in the new sash and glazier's point into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches around the frame's perimeter.

Putty

A baseball thrown at you or a rock that is errant or a falling branch can cause a window to crack or break. Luckily, most windows can be replaced by simply putting a new piece of glass in its the proper place. The glass is held into the position with a tiny metal clip, called a glazier's point and putty. This compound is also known as glazing compound. Before you install a new pane, first remove the old one and clean up the area with the help of a rag, the pull-type paint scraper or a wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while you do this work. If the replacement window panels is glued to the frame, you'll have to employ a heat gun in order to soften the adhesive prior to prying it free.

If you are planning to install the original sash, take off the molding that supports the old pane. Sand the sash until it is flat and ready to receive new caulk. After the sash has been re-installed then, apply a new caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure it won't leak or discolor as time passes.

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets and the grooves in the sash that the glass sits. If they're difficult to work out, you can try holding the hand tool, such as a heat gun over them to soften them before you do. If you're using a heated gun, be careful not to cause damage to the railings of the sash or the sash itself by placing the tool too close.

Make a bed for your new pane by removing the old glaze and putty. Roll a rope with glazing compound between your fingers, and make it around 1/2 inch thick. Then, push it into the rabbets, where the glass will rest. It is crucial that the glass sits on the putty in all places on both sides, so if you need to tap it, gently press the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has cracked, you can apply the silicone caulk or glass glue based on solvents to cover the crack before pressing it into the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you'll require putty to keep water out. When the putty dries and the film is oily, wipe it off the glass using an abrasive and allow it to dry completely prior to painting. Paint after the putty has dried completely. It won't form a good seal and could discolor or leak over time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a broken piece of glass. In reality, replacing a single pane glass doesn't need to be expensive when you do it on your own. Even a double glazing windows replacement-paned window could be replaced at a fraction of the cost it costs an expert.

If you are working with large glass windows, first make sure it is securely attached to the frame. This job is relatively easy and fast using the right tools and techniques.

When you're ready to start, begin by removing the old window sash replacement by removing the glazing points of metal that are connected to it. These are tiny metal triangles that function as "nails" that hold the window in the frame. They are placed beneath a layer of glazing putty, which hardens into a solid, formed wedge which holds the window in place and conceals the points.

Once you have the old pane removed clean the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape off any old paint and sand the rabbet grooves that the glazing points were. These should be sanded to bare wood to allow you to paint them the same color as the rest the frame. After sanding, apply a layer of flax oil on the wood's surface to extend the life of the frame.

The next step is to determine the width of the window's opening. You will need to measure the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the entire opening, as well as the thickness. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure you get a precise size for the new pane. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass in times of seasonal change. Take these measurements to your local hardware or home improvement store and ask them to cut you cut the glass 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.