How to Replace Window Pane Window Panes

A cracked window pane can be a source of frustration. It can also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows, and reap benefits like more comfort, higher resale value and reduced utility bills.

You can do it yourself at a fraction of what it would cost to hire an expert. It requires the right tools and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

Replace your single-paned windows with tempered or insulated glass to increase energy efficiency, cut down on noise, and protect the historical integrity of your old home. The replacement window glass near me of the window pane is simple and can be done by anyone with basic hand tools. You’ll also require an extra window pane, glazier’s suggestions, replace window pane pliers, and latex glazing putty. If you need to, you can use a heatgun to warm the old putty. Before starting, put on protective gloves and goggles since working with broken glass may cause injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. This is best done using pliers, though using a flathead screwdriver may be effective in a pinch. Then, use a wood chisel, or putty knife, to remove the rest of the old putty around the frame and sash. Be careful to not break the window sash. Be careful and slow. This is best done on an elevated ladder, not on the ground. Also, have someone below the sash hold it steady.

Prepare the window frame to accept the new pane when you have removed the old putty. Find the width and the height of the sash opening, subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). Bring these measurements to a hardware store or home center, and get a piece of stock glass cut to size. You can also cut the glass yourself if have the right tools.

After installing the glass, apply some caulking around the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then, you can install a glazier’s pointing on each side of the frame to hold the pane in its place. The points shouldn’t be too tight that they create friction between the frame and sash However, they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty to the surface, you must knead it thoroughly until it becomes soft and free from lumps. Roll it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be placed in the corner of the frame, working from one corner to the next so that it is smooth and even.

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. Understanding how to use these little helpers is easy and could save you money on professional installation or the cost of new glass.

Once the old putty and glazier’s points are removed Clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife to eliminate any remaining residue. Lightly sand the wood into the rabbet grooves, if necessary, to smooth rough areas. If you sand wood protect it with painter’s tape to avoid accidental damage.

Write down the exact dimensions of the frame. These measurements can be brought to the hardware or home center store and the new pane will be cut slightly 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. Then use the point of your chisel or back of the putty knife to make a tap on the glazier’s facets, as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier’s points should be aligned with the top edge of the pane and the raised shoulders should be just below that lip.

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

Install the new window sash after the glazing compound has dried. First, coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will prevent the newly-created putty drying out or cracking when it absorbs moisture. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or the tip of the putty blade. Then use the chisel that is on the back of the tool or the back of the handle to gently smash the new sash or glazier’s point into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball that is thrown or a rock that is errant or falling branch could cause a window to crack or break. Fortunately, the majority of windows can be replaced by simply placing a new piece in the right place. The glass is held into the position with a tiny metal clip, called a glazier’s point and putty. This compound is also referred to as glazing compound. Before installing a replacement pane, first get rid of the old one and clean the area with the help of a rag, a pull-type paint scraper or the wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while doing this work. If the window is secured to the frame, you’ll need to employ a heat gun in order to soften the adhesive before taking it off.

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

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets, the grooves in the sash that the glass is. If they are hard to chisel, hold a hand tool such as a heating gun over them to allow them to soften before. If you’re using a heated gun, be careful not to cause damage to the railings or sash by holding the tool too closely.

Create the bed for your new pane after you have removed the old glaze points and putty. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your fingers, and make it about 1/2 inch thick. Then, you can press it into the rabbets, where the glass will be. It’s important that the glass rests against the putty on both sides, so if you need to tap it, gently press the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane has cracked, you can use a silicone caulk or glass glue made from solvents to cover the crack before pressing it in the sash. In other cases, you’ll need to putty over the crack to create a tight seal and keep water out. After the putty has dried remove the oily film off of the glass and let it dry completely before you paint. Paint before the putty is completely dry. It won’t form a good seal and may leak or discolor with time.

Paint

If you’ve suffered a break in a window pane, you might be worried about the expense of replacing it. It’s true that replacing a single piece of glass doesn’t have to be costly if you do it on your own. Even a double-paned window can be replaced for a fraction of what it would cost for a professional.

First, if you’re working on a large window, make sure that it is securely fixed to the frame. With the right tools and techniques to complete this task easily and quick.

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

After taking off the old pane clean the frame and the wood. Scrape off any old paint, and sand the rabbet grooves in which the glazing points were. They should be sanded to the point of being bare, so that you can paint them the same shade as the rest of the frame. After sanding, apply a layer of flax oil on the bare wood to help extend its lifespan.

The next step is to determine the width of the window’s opening. You will need to measure the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the entire opening, as well as the thickness. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure you have the exact size for the new pane. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. Take 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 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.