How to Replace Window Panes

A cracked window pane is an inconvenience. It can also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows and enjoy benefits such as improved comfort, increased the value of resales and lower utility costs.

You can do it yourself for 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 insulate glass to improve energy efficiency, cut down on noise, and preserve the original character of your old home. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can repair the window sash replacement pane. You will also need an additional window pane, glazier’s tips pliers, and latex glazing putty. If needed you may use a heating gun to warm the old putty. Wear safety goggles and gloves before you begin. Working with broken glass could cause serious injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. This can be done with the help of pliers though using a flathead screwdriver can also work in a pinch. Make use of a wood chisel or putty knives, to take away any remaining old putty around the frame and the window sash. Be careful and slow making sure not to damage the old window sash. It is best to do this using a sturdy ladder instead of the ground and to have someone stand below the sash window replacement handles for upvc windows (get redirected here) to help hold it steady.

After you’ve removed all the old putty, it is time to 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 width and height. Bring these measurements to a hardware store or home center, and find a piece glass cut to size. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself if have the appropriate tools.

After installing the glass, apply some caulking to 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 the right place. The points shouldn’t be so tight that they cause friction between the sash and frame however they shouldn’t be loose.

Before applying the putty to the surface, knead thoroughly until it becomes soft and free of lumps. Make it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be placed in the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to another to ensure it is even and smooth.

Glazier’s Points

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

After taking off the old putty, glazier points as well as any remaining leftovers clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife. If needed, lightly sand the wood along the grooves of the rabbet to smooth out rough spots. If you sand wood protect it with painter’s tape to prevent accidental damage.

Measure the empty frame’s dimensions and write down accurate measurements. These measurements can be taken to a home center or hardware store, and the new frame will be cut slightly smaller. This will ensure a snug fit and will allow room for expansion and contraction.

Insert the new pane into the frame and press it down with 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. After you’re done, the points should be flush with the top edge of the pane, and the raised shoulders of the points should be below the rabbet’s rim groove.

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

Install the new window sash once the glazing compound has dried. The first step is to coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will prevent the new putty from taking up moisture and drying out and cracking over time. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or the point of the blade. Then use the chisel on the back of the tool or the back of the putty handle to gently smash the new sash or glazier’s point into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches around the frame’s perimeter.

Putty

A baseball thrown or a rock thrown by error, or a fallen tree can result in a cracked or cracked window. The majority of windows can be replaced easily by putting in a new piece. The glass is held into the position with a tiny metal clip, referred to as a glazier’s point and putty. This compound is also called glazing compound. Before installing a new pane, first remove the old one and clean up the area with the help of a rag, an abrasive scraper that is a pull type or the wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while you do this work. You’ll require a heat gun if the window is glued to the frame.

If you plan to reinstall the original sash, gently remove the molding pieces that secure the old pane. Sand the sash until it’s flat and ready for new caulk. After the sash has been installed, you can apply a silicone caulk on the glass. This will ensure that it won’t be leaking or fade over time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash where the glass is. If they’re hard to cut, place the hand tool, such as a heatgun over them to soften first. When using a heated tool, be careful to not scratch the sash and its railings.

Once the old glazing points and putty have been removed prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope made of glazing compound between your fingers, Sash Window Replacement and make it around 1/2 inch thick. Place it into the rabbets, where the glass will be placed. It’s important that the glass is positioned against the putty in all places on both sides So if you have to do so, gently tap the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack you can fill it with a solvent-based glass glue or silicone caulk prior to pressing it into the sash. Otherwise, you’ll need to apply putty over the crack to create an impervious seal to keep water out. Once the putty is dry, wipe the oily film off the glass and allow it to dry completely before you paint. If you paint before the putty has completely dry, it won’t create a solid seal and could discolor or leak over time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a broken piece of glass. However, replacing a single glass pane doesn’t have to break the bank If you can do it yourself. In fact even windows with double panes can be replaced for only a fraction of the cost of an expert.

First, if you’re working on a large window, make sure that it is securely fixed to the frame. This task is relatively easy and quick with the proper tools and techniques.

If you’re ready to begin with the removal of the old window pane by prying out the metal glazing points that are connected to it. These are tiny metal triangles that function as “nails” to hold the window within the frame. They are placed beneath a layer of glazing putty, which transforms into a solid moulded wedge which holds the window in place and hides the edges.

After you have the old pane removed, clean up the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape off any old paint and sand the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were. These should be sanded to bare wood so that you can paint them the same color as the rest the frame. After sanding the wood you can apply a layer flax oil. This will help to extend its life.

Next, measure the width of the window opening. It is necessary to measure the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the entire opening as well as the thickness. To get the exact size of the new pane subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass during seasons of change. You can bring these measurements to a hardware store or home improvement shop and 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.