How to Replace Window Pane 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, higher resale value and lower utility costs.

It’s a project you can do yourself for only a fraction of the cost of hiring an expert. You’ll only require the appropriate tools and a few minutes of your time.

Glass

If your single pane windows are old broken, deteriorating or damaged replacing them with modern glass that is tempered or insulated can increase energy efficiency and reduce noise while preserving the historical integrity of older homes. Most homeowners with basic hand tools can repair the window pane. In addition to a replacement pane, the following tools are needed for the replacement glass for windows process: latex glazing putty Glazier’s points; pliers and an electric heater to warm the old putty, if needed. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to starting. Working with broken glass could result in serious injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. This is best done using pliers, however, a flathead screwdriver can also be effective in a pinch. Utilize a wood chisel or putty knives to remove any old putty remaining around the frame and replace Window Pane window sash. Be careful not to break the window sash. Be careful and slow. This can be done best on a ladder, not the ground. Also, you should have someone lower to keep it in place.

Prepare the window frame to receive the new pane when you have removed the old glue. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction, subtract 1/8 inch each from the measurements of width and height. Take 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 you have the tools you need.

After putting in the new glass Apply a small amount of caulking on the edges. This will make the glass weatherproof. Install a glazier’s pointing on both sides of the frame. This will help secure the pane. The points shouldn’t be too tight as to cause friction between the sash and frame, but they also shouldn’t be too loose.

Before applying the putty on the surface, you must knead it thoroughly until it is soft and free of lumps. Then you can roll it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip to the corner of the frame. Work from one corner to the next to ensure it’s even and smooth.

Glazier’s Points

The glazier’s points are small triangular pieces of metal that allow glass to be secured to the frame without damaging the delicate surface. It’s easy to learn how to use this hidden tool and you can save money on the expense of an installation by a professional.

After removing the old putty, glazier points, and any other residue, clean the frame thoroughly using an utility knife. Lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves if needed to smooth rough areas. If you sand wood protect it with painter’s tape to avoid accidental damage.

Measure the empty frame’s dimensions and replace Window pane record precise measurements. These dimensions can be taken to an hardware or home centers 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 press it down with your hands. Then use the point of your chisel or back of the putty knife to pierce the glazier’s points, as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier’s points should sit flush against the top edge of your pane and the shoulders raised should be just below that lip.

Apply a small amount of glazing compound over the edges of the new glass and into the rabbet grooves, to seal and protect them. Let it dry and cure fully.

After the glazing compound dries it’s time to put in the new window sash. The first step is to coat the wood with a heavy coat of linseed oil. This will stop the new putty from drying out and cracking when it absorbs moisture. Apply this coat using a brush or the tip of your putty knife, and then use the chisel, or the back end of 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 around the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown at you, an errant rock or falling branch could cause a window pane to break or crack. Most windows can be replaced easily by installing a new piece. The glass is held in position by a small metal clip, referred to as a glazier’s point and putty. This compound is also referred to as glazing compound. Before you install a new pane, first get rid of the old one and clean the area with a rag and an abrasive scraper that is a pull type or a wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while doing this work. You’ll require a heat gun if the window is glued into the frame.

If you’re planning to install your original sash, remove the molding that holds the old pane. Sand the sash until it’s flat and ready to receive new caulk. After the sash has been reinstalled then, you can apply a silicone caulk on the glass. This will ensure that it doesn’t get soiled or discolor over time.

Take out the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash where the glass is. If they’re hard to chisel, hold a hand tool like a heat gun over them for a few minutes to soften them. When using a heat tool, be sure to not damage the sash or its railings.

Create a bed for your new pane after removing the old putty and glazing points. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your fingers, and then make it about 1/2 inch thick. Press it into the rabbets, where the glass will be put. The glass should rest against the putty on both sides. If necessary gently tap your glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can use the silicone caulk or glass glue that is based on solvents to fill in the crack prior to pressing it in the sash. If not, you’ll have to putty over the crack to form an airtight seal and keep water out. After the putty has dried, clean the oily film off the glass with an abrasive and allow it to completely dry before painting. Paint after the putty is completely dry. It will not create a solid seal and may leak or discolor with time.

Paint

If you’ve had a broken window pane, you might be worried about the cost of a new one. The truth is, replacing a single pane glass doesn’t have to be costly when you do it on your own. In fact, even a double-pane window can be replaced at less than the cost of a professional.

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

When you’re ready to start, begin by removing the old window by prying out the metal glazing points that are connected to it. These are small metal triangles that act as “nails” that hold the window within the frame. They are placed under a bead or glazing glue that hardens to solid wedge which holds the wood frame securely in place and hides the sharp edges.

After you have the old pane removed Clean up the frame and wood. Scrape away any old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves, where the glazing points were. Sand them to bare wood surfaces, so that you can paint the frames the same color. After the sanding process, apply a coat of flax oil on the wood that is not sanded down to extend the life of the frame.

Then, you need to measure the width of the window’s opening. You will need to measure the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the entire opening as well as the thickness. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure that you get a precise size for the new pane. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass during seasonal change. Bring these measurements to the 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.