How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window can cause a lot of trouble. This could be an opportunity to upgrade to energy-efficient windows or insulated ones, and reap advantages like improved comfort, increased resale values and reduced utility costs.

You can do it yourself for a fraction of what it would cost to employ an expert. You’ll only require the appropriate tools and a few minutes of your time.

Glass

If your single-pane windows are old, deteriorating or broken replacing them with modern glass that is tempered or insulated will increase energy efficiency and decrease noise while maintaining the historic integrity of older homes. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can Replace Window Pane a window pane. In addition to a new pane, the following items are needed for the replacement process: latex glazing putty glazier’s points; pliers; and an electric heater to warm the old putty, if necessary. Wear safety goggles and gloves before you begin. Working with broken glass can cause serious injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. It is recommended to use pliers for this however, a flathead may be useful as well. Utilize a wood chisel or Replacement Window Glass putty knives to remove any old putty that remains around the frame and window sash. Be careful to not damage the window sash. Take your time and work slowly. It is best to work on a sturdy ladder rather than the ground, and to have someone standing below the sash in order to help hold it steady.

Prepare the window frame to accept the new pane after you have removed the old putty. Find the width and the height of the sash opening by subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). These measurements can be sent to a home center or hardware store to get an item cut from glass that is in stock to the correct size. You can also cut the glass by yourself if you have the right tools.

After putting in the new glass Apply a small amount of caulking around the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then install a glazier’s point on the frame’s opposite side to hold the pane in its place. The points shouldn’t be too tight that they cause friction between the frame and sash however they shouldn’t be too loose.

Before applying the putty to the surface, gently knead it until it becomes soft and free of lumps. Then make it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be glued to the frame’s corner. Work from one corner to another to ensure it’s even and smooth.

Glazier’s Points

The glazier’s points are small triangular metal pieces that allow glass to be secured into the window frame without causing damage to the delicate surface. It’s simple to learn how to use this nefarious tool, and you’ll be able to save money on the cost of an installation by a professional.

Once the old putty and the glazier’s points have been removed, thoroughly clean the frame with a knife to get rid of any remaining traces. If necessary, lightly sand the wood in the grooves of the rabbet to smooth out rough areas. If you decide to sand wood, protect it with painter’s tape to avoid accidental damage.

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

Place the new pane in the frame and press it in place by using your hands. Then, you can use the point of your chisel, or the back end of the putty knife to pierce the glazier’s points as shown in Figure 11. When you’re done, they should be flush with the top edge of the pane, and the shoulders of the points should be below the rabbet’s rim groove.

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

Install the new window sash after the glazing compound has dried. First, saturate the wood with a heavy coat of linseed oil. This will stop the new putty drying out or cracking when it absorbs moisture. Apply this coat with a brush or the tip of your putty knife, then use the chisel or the back end of the putty knife to gently hammer in the new sash and glazier’s tips into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process every 10 inches around the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown at you or an unintentional rock, or a fallen branch can cause a window pane to break or crack. Luckily, most windows can be easily replaced by simply putting a brand new piece in the right place. The glass is held in place by a small metal clip called the glazier’s pointed and putty, also called 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 require a heat gun when the window is fixed into the frame.

If you are planning to reinstall the original sash, take off the molding that supports the old pane. Sand the sash until it is flat and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is re-installed and sanded, apply a fresh silicone caulk around the glass to ensure it doesn’t swell or replace window pane fade as time passes.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets and the grooves in the sash, where the glass is. If they’re hard to cut, place an instrument such as a heating gun over them to allow them to soften before. When using a heating tool, be sure to not damage the sash or its railings.

Prepare a bed for your new pane after removing the old putty and glazing points. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, forming it to be about 1/2-inch thick. Press it into the rabbets, where the glass will be placed. It’s important that the glass is positioned against the putty on each side So if you have to, lightly tap the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack then you can seal it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk before pressing it into the sash. If not, you’ll have to apply putty over the crack to create an impervious seal to keep water out. After the putty has dried then clean the oily film off the glass using a rag and allow it to dry completely prior to painting. If you paint before the putty is completely dry, it won’t form an effective seal and could be leaking or discoloring in time.

Paint

If you’ve experienced a broken window pane, you might be worried about the cost of a new one. But the truth is that replacing a single glass pane doesn’t need to cost a fortune if you do it yourself. Even a double-paned window can be replaced for a fraction of what it would cost an expert.

First, if you are working on a large window, ensure that it is securely fixed to the frame. With the right tools and replace window Pane techniques, you can make this task relatively easy and quick.

When you are ready to start, remove the old window pane. Pry out the metal glazing points attached to it. These are tiny triangles of metal that function as “nails”, holding the window in place. They are submerged beneath a layer of glazing putty that is then cured to form a solid, formed wedge which holds the window in place and hides the window’s points.

After removal of the old pane clean the frame and the wood. Scrape away any old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were. These should be sanded down to the point of being bare, so that you can paint them the same color as the rest the frame. After sanding the wood, apply a layer of flax oil. This will help to prolong the life of the frame.

Then, you need to measure the size of the window 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 have the exact size for the new pane. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass during seasonal change. Bring these measurements to your local hardware or home improvement store and 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.