How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane can be a nuisance. It can also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows and enjoy benefits such as greater comfort, a higher resale value and reduced utility bills.

It’s a task you can tackle yourself at a fraction of the cost of hiring a professional. It requires the right tools and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

replace window pane your old single-paned windows with tempered insulation glass to improve the efficiency of your energy, reduce noise, and preserve the historic integrity of your home’s older. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can replace a window pane. Alongside a replacement double glazing windows pane, the following components are needed: latex glazing putty; glazier’s points; pliers; and an electric heater to warm the old putty, if necessary. Before beginning, wear gloves and safety glasses as working with broken glass may cause injuries.

Take out any broken glass pieces remaining. This is best accomplished with pliers, but a flathead screwdriver can also be effective in the pinch. Then, use a wood chisel or putty knife to take the remainder of the old putty around the frame and sash. Be careful to not scratch the window sash. Work slowly and carefully. This is best done on a ladder, not on the ground. Also, ensure that someone on the ground to ensure it is held steady.

Make sure that the window frame is ready to receive the new pane when you have removed the old putty. Measure the width and height of the opening in the sash by subtracting 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 that is in stock to the correct size. You can also cut the glass by yourself if you have the appropriate tools.

After putting in the new glass After installing the glass, apply a small amount of caulking on the edges. This will make the glass weatherproof. Install a glazier’s point on both sides of the frame. This will ensure the pane. The points should not be so tight as to cause friction between the sash and the frame but they shouldn’t be loose.

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

Glazier’s Points

The glazier’s points are small triangular pieces of metal that allow glass to be secured into the frame of a window without damaging or scratching the delicate surface. Knowing how to use these hidden little helpers is easy and could save you money on a professional installation or the cost of buying new glass.

After the old putty and the glazier’s point are gone, thoroughly clean the frame with a utility knife to remove any remaining residue. Lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves if needed to smooth out rough areas. If you do sand your wood, make sure to protect it with painter’s tape to avoid accidental damage.

Take the dimensions of the frame and record precise measurements. These measurements can be taken to a home center or hardware store, and the new frame will be cut to a smaller size. This will ensure a tight fit and leave room for expansion and contraction.

Insert the new pane into the frame and push it in with your hands. Use the chisel’s point or the back of the putty knife to smudge the glazier’s points, as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier’s points should be in line with the top edge of your pane, and the shoulders raised should be just below the lip.

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

Install the new window sash when the glazing compound has dried. The first step is to coat the wood with a heavy coat of Linseed oil. This will stop the new putty from taking up moisture and drying out and cracking with time. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or the tip of the blade. Then, use the chisel on the back of the tool or the back of the putty handle to gently hit the new sash, or glazier’s tip into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process every 10 inches around the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A baseball hit, a rock thrown in error or a branch falling could result in a broken or cracked window pane. The majority of windows can be replaced by simply putting in a fresh piece. The glass is held into place by a small metal clip, called the 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 when working. If the window is secured to the frame, you’ll have to use a heat gun to soften the adhesive before prying it free.

If you plan to reinstall the original sash, gently remove the molding pieces that are used to secure the old pane. Then sand the sash to ensure it’s smooth and ready for a new caulk. Once the sash is put back in place, you can apply a silicone caulk to the glass. This will ensure that it won’t leak over time or discolor.

Remove the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash where the glass is located. If they’re difficult to cut, place an instrument such as a heatgun over them for a few minutes to soften them. If you’re using a heat gun, be careful not to cause damage to the railings or sash by holding the tool too closely.

Once the old points of glazing and putty are removed, prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your fingers, and make it about 1/2 inch thick. Press it into the rabbets where the glass will be placed. The glass should rest against the putty on both sides. If necessary, lightly tap your glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can apply the silicone caulk or glass glue that is based on solvents to fill in the crack before pressing it in the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you will require putty to keep the water out. After the putty has dried, wipe the oily film off the glass and let it dry completely before painting. If you paint before the putty is fully dry, it won’t form an effective seal and could discolor or leak in time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a broken piece of glass. The truth is, replacing a single pane glass doesn’t have to be costly even if you do it your own. Even a double-paned window could be replaced for a fraction of the price it costs a professional.

First, if you are working on a large-sized window, make sure it is securely fastened to the frame. This can be made relatively simple and fast using the appropriate tools and techniques.

When you are ready to begin, remove the old window pane. Take out the metal glazing points attached to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles that act as “nails” that hold the window in within the frame of wood. They are submerged under a bead of glazing putty that is then cured to form a solid, formed wedge that secures the window in place and hides the edges.

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

The next step is to determine the size of the window’s opening. You’ll need to determine the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the entire opening, as well as the thickness. 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 during seasonal change. You can bring these measurements to a hardware or home improvement shop and Replace Window Pane 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.