How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window is a nuisance. It could also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows to enjoy benefits such as greater comfort, a higher the value of resales and lower utility bills.

It's a project you can do yourself for a fraction of the cost of hiring an expert. It requires the right tools and only an hour or two of your time.

Glass

If your single-pane windows are outdated damaged, cracked or deteriorating, replacing them with newer glass that is tempered or insulated will improve energy efficiency and reduce noise while also preserving the historical integrity of older homes. The process of replacing a window replacement companies pane is relatively easy and can be completed by homeowners with basic hand tools. In addition to a new pane, the following components are needed for the replacement process: latex glazing putty pliers, glazier's points and an electric heater to warm the old putty, if necessary. Wear safety goggles and gloves before you begin. Working with broken glass could result in serious injuries.

Take away any broken glass pieces that remain. This is best accomplished with the help of pliers though using a flathead screwdriver may be used in the pinch. After that, use a wood chisel or putty knife remove the remaining old putty from the frame and the sash. Be careful to not break the window sash. Work slowly and carefully. This can be done best on a ladder, not the ground. Also, have someone below the sash ensure it is held steady.

Once you have removed all of the old putty, you can prepare the window cost replacement frame to fit the new pane. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction by subtracting 1/8 inch from the measurements of width and height. Take these measurements to an hardware store or home center and get a piece of stock glass cut to size. Alternatively, you can cut the glass yourself if you have the appropriate tools.

After putting in the new pane After installing the new pane, apply a small amount of caulking around the edges to seal it against weather. Install a glazier’s point on both sides of the frame. This will help secure the pane. The points shouldn't be too tight that they cause friction between the frame and the sash However, they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty to the surface, knead thoroughly until it is smooth and free from lumps. Then, roll it into pencil-size strips. Place the first strip in the corner of the frame, working from one corner to the other so that it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

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

After taking off the old putty, glazier points and any remnants, clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife. If needed it is necessary to lightly sand the wood along the rabbet grooves to smooth rough spots. If you do sand your wood, make sure to protect it by using painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Note down the exact dimensions of the frame. These measurements can be brought to an hardware or home centers store and the new pane will be cut slightly smaller. This will ensure a snug fit, and allow for expansion and contraction.

Insert the new pane into the frame and push firmly with your hands. Then, use the tip of your chisel or the back of the putty knife to pierce the glazier's points as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's point should be aligned with the top edge of your pane and the shoulders should be just beneath that lip.

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 this to dry and cure completely.

Install the new window sash after the glazing compound has dried. First, you need to coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will stop the new putty from taking in the moisture and deteriorating and cracking with time. Apply the coat using a brush or the edge of your putty knife, and then employ the chisel or back end from the putty knife to gently hammer the new sash and glazier's tips into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches along the frame's perimeter.

Putty

A baseball hit, a rock thrown in error or a branch falling can result in a cracked or cracked window pane. Most windows can be replaced easily by simply putting in a fresh piece. The glass is held in place using small clips made of metal called a glazier's point, and putty, often called glazing compound. Before installing a Replacement Windows Panes pane, first remove the old one and clean up the area using an abrasive and an abrasive scraper that is a pull type or an abrasive wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while working. You'll require a heat gun in the event that the window sash replacement is glued into the frame.

If you're planning to install the original sash in the future, take care to remove any molding pieces that secure the old pane. Then sand the sash to ensure it's smooth and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is re-installed then, apply a new caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure that it won't leak or discolor over time.

Take out the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves in the sash, where the glass replacement for windows is. If they're hard to chisel out, try placing the hand tool, such as a heat gun to soften them up first. When using a heat tool, make sure to not damage the sash or its railings.

Create a bed for your new pane by removing the old putty and glazing points. Roll a rope made of glazing compound between your fingers and make it about 1/2 inch thick. Then, push it into the rabbets in which the glass will sit. It is essential that the glass rests against the putty in all places on both sides If you have to tap it, gently press the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked you can fill it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk prior to pressing it into the sash. Otherwise, you'll need to putty over the crack to form an impervious seal to keep water out. After the putty has dried, clean the oily film off the glass with an abrasive and allow it to dry completely before painting. If you paint before the putty is completely dry, it will not form a solid seal and could discolor or leak over time.

Paint

If you've had a broken window pane, you may be concerned about the expense of replacing it. However, replacing a single glass pane doesn't need to cost a fortune when you do it yourself. In fact even windows with double panes can be replaced at a fraction of the cost of a professional.

First, if you are working on a large-sized window, ensure that it is securely fastened to the frame. Using the proper tools and techniques you can complete this task easily and fast.

Once you're ready to begin with the removal of the old window pane by removing the metal glazing points that are connected to it. These are essentially small metal triangles that act as "nails" that hold the window in place in the wood frame. They are buried beneath a glaze putty or bead that sets to form an unbreakable wedge that holds the frame in place and hides the sharp edges.

After removing the old pane, clean the frame and the wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used and sand down the rabbet grooves that the glazing points were placed. These should be sanded down to the point of being bare, so that you can paint them the same shade as the rest of the frame. After sanding the wood you can apply a layer flax oil. This will help extend its life.

Then, take measurements of the dimensions of the window screen replacement's opening. You will need to take vertical and horizontal measurements of the entire opening, as well as the thickness of the old pane. To determine the exact dimensions of the new pane, subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass in times of seasonal changes. Bring these measurements to your local 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.