How to replace window pane Window Panes

A damaged window pane can be a nuisance. It could be a chance to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones to enjoy benefits such as improved comfort, increased resale value and lower utility costs.

This is a project you could do yourself for a fraction of the cost of hiring a professional. It requires the right equipment and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

Replace your old single-paned windows with tempered insulated glass to increase energy efficiency, reduce noise, and preserve the historical integrity of your older home. The majority of homeowners with basic hand tools can repair a window pane. You will also require an extra window pane, glazier's suggestions, pliers, and latex glazing putty. If you need to you may make use of a heat gun to warm the old putty. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to beginning. Working with broken glass could cause serious injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. This is best accomplished with pliers, but a flathead screwdriver may be effective in a pinch. Make use of a wood chisel or putty knife to get rid of any remaining old putty around the frame and window sash. Be careful not to scratch the window sash. Take your time and work slowly. This is best done on a ladder, not on the ground. Also, you should have someone on the ground to keep it in place.

After you have removed all the old putty, you can 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 the width and height. Take these measurements to an hardware store or home center, and have a piece of stock glass cut to size. You can cut the glass yourself if you have the appropriate tools.

After putting the new pane in place, run a small bead of caulking around the edges to seal it against weather. Install a glazier's pointing on both sides of the frame. This will secure the pane. The points should not be tight enough to 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, roll it into pencil-size strips. Apply the first strip to the corner of the frame. Work from one corner to the next to ensure it's even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are tiny triangular metal pieces that allow glass to be secured to the frame without damaging the delicate surface. Understanding how to use these tiny helpers is simple and can save you money on a professional installation or the cost of buying new glass.

After taking off the old putty, glazier points, and any other residue Clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife. If needed, lightly sand the wood along the rabbet grooves to smooth rough spots. If you decide to sand the wood, make sure to protect it with painter's tack to avoid accidental damage.

Write down the dimensions of the frame. These dimensions can be taken to a home center or hardware store, and the new frame will be cut to a smaller size. This will ensure that the pane fits comfortably and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and replace Window pane push firmly with your hands. Utilize the chisel's point or the back of the putty blade to tap in the glaziers' points as shown in Figure 11. After you're done, the points should be level 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 glass that has been made and into the rabbet grooves, to seal and protect them. Allow it to dry completely and cure.

Install the new window sash when the glazing compound has dried. First, saturate the wood with a heavy coat of linseed oil. This will stop the new putty from soaking up moisture and deteriorating and cracking with time. Apply the coating using a brush 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 grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches around the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown or replace window pane a rock thrown by error, or a tree falling can cause a broken or cracked window pane. Fortunately, the majority of windows can be repaired by simply putting a brand new piece of glass in its place. The glass is held into position by a small metal clip, referred to as a glazier's point and putty. This compound is also referred to as glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area using a rag, a scraper that is a pull type or a wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while working. You'll need a heat gun if the window is glued into the frame.

If you are planning to reinstall your original sash, remove the molding that holds the old pane. Sand the sash until it is flat and ready to receive new caulk. Once the sash is installed then, apply a new silicone caulk to the glass to ensure that it doesn't swell or fade over time.

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets, the grooves in the sash, where the glass is. If they're difficult to chisel, hold an instrument such as a heating gun over them to soften first. If you're using a heat gun, be cautious not to damage the railings of the sash or the sash itself by using the tool too tightly.

Prepare a bed for your new pane after removing the old putty and glazing points. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your fingers and make it around 1/2 inch thick. Press it into the rabbets, where the glass will be placed. It is essential that the glass sits on the putty on both sides, so if you need to do so, gently tap the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack, you can cover it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk prior to pressing it into the sash. If the crack isn't sealed, you'll require putty to keep the water out. Once the putty is dry clean the oily film from the glass and allow it to dry completely before painting. Paint before the putty has completely dried. It won't form a good seal and may leak or discolor with time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a damaged piece of glass. It's true that replacing a single pane glass doesn't need to be expensive if you do it on your own. Even double glazed windows replacement-paned windows can be replaced at a fraction of the cost it costs an expert.

First, if you're working on a large window, make sure that it is securely attached to the frame. This job can be made relatively simple and fast with the appropriate tools and techniques.

When you are ready to start with the removal of the window pane. Pry out the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles that act as "nails" that hold the window in place in the wood frame. They are placed under a bead or glazing putty which hardens into solid wedge that holds the frame firmly in position and conceals the edges.

After you have removed the old pane taken away, clean up the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape away any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points used to be. These should be sanded to bare wood, to allow you to paint them the same shade as the rest of the frame. After the sanding process, apply a coat of flax oil to the wood that is not sanded down to help extend its lifespan.

Then, take measurements of the dimensions of the window's opening. You'll need to take vertical and horizontal measurements of the entire opening, and also 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 also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass in times of seasonal change. Take these dimensions to your local hardware or home improvement store, and they will have 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.