How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window glass replacement can cause a lot of trouble. It could also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows to enjoy benefits such as more comfort, higher resale value and reduced utility costs.

You can do it yourself for only a fraction of the cost it would cost to employ an expert. You only need the right tools and a few minutes of your time.

Glass

Replace your old single-paned windows using tempered or insulate glass to improve the efficiency of your energy, reduce noise, and preserve the historical integrity of your old home. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can replace windows with ease. Alongside a replacement pane, the following tools are required such as latex glazing putty; Glazier's points; pliers and an electric heater to warm the old putty if required. Wear safety glasses and gloves before you begin. Working with broken glass could cause serious injuries.

Remove any broken glass pieces that remain. It is best to use pliers however a flathead could be useful as well. After that, use a wood chisel or putty knife to take the remainder of the old putty around the frame and the sash. Be careful to not scratch the window sash. Be careful and slow. This should be done on a ladder, not the ground. Also, ensure that someone lower to keep it in place.

After you have removed all the old putty, you can prepare the window frame to accommodate the new pane. Measure the width and height of the sash opening, subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). These measurements can be taken 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 yourself if have the appropriate tools.

After installing the new glass replacement for windows near me Apply a small amount of caulking around the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Install a glazier’s point on both sides of the frame. This will help secure the pane. The points shouldn't be so tight that they cause friction between the frame and the sash however they should not be loose.

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

Glazier's Points

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

Once the old putty and the glazier's points have been removed and the frame is thoroughly cleaned with a knife to remove any remaining traces. If necessary, lightly sand the wood along the grooves of the rabbets to smooth rough areas. If you decide to sand wood, protect it with painter’s tape to avoid accidental damage.

Write down the exact dimensions of the frame. 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 push firmly using your hands. Then, use the tip of your chisel or the back of the putty knife to make a tap on the glazier's points as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's points should sit aligned with the top edge of your pane and the shoulders raised should be just beneath that lip.

Apply a thin bead of glazing compound on the edges of the new glass and into the rabbet grooves to seal and protect them. Allow it to dry completely and cure.

When the glazing compound is dry it's time to put in the new window sash. First, you need to coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will prevent the new putty from taking up moisture and drying out and cracking with time. Apply this coat with a brush or the tip of your knife, then use the chisel or the back end from the putty knife to gently hammer the new sash and glazier's tips into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball hit or a rock thrown by error, or a tree falling could result in a broken or cracked window. Fortunately, the majority of windows can be easily replaced by simply putting a brand new piece in the right place. The glass is held into position by a small metal clip, referred to as the glazier's point, and putty. This compound is also called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area with an abrasive, pull-type scraper, or a wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses when you work. You'll need a heating gun when the window is fixed to the frame.

If you plan to reinstall the original sash, remove any molding pieces that hold the old pane in place. Then, sand the sash to ensure it's level and ready to be re-caulked. Once the sash is put back in place it is possible to apply a silicone caulk over the glass. This will ensure that it won't get soiled or discolor over time.

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets, or the grooves in the sash where the glass sits. If they are hard to chisel, use a hand tool like a heat gun over them for a few minutes to soften them. When using a heating tool, be careful to not damage the sash or its railings.

Once the old glaze points and putty are removed, make a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your hands, forming it to be around 1/2-inch thick. Then, press it into the rabbets where the glass will be. 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 based on solvents to cover the crack before pressing it into the sash. If not, you'll have to putty over the crack to create a tight seal and keep water out. Once the putty is dry, wipe the oily film from the Glass Windows Replacement and allow it to dry completely before you paint. Paint after the putty is completely dry. It won't form a good seal and could leak or discolor with time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a broken piece of glass. But the truth is that replacing a single glass pane doesn't have to break the bank when you do it yourself. Even a double-paned window can be replaced for a fraction of the price it will cost for a professional.

If you are working with a large glass window, first make sure it is securely fixed to the frame. This task can be made relatively simple and quick with the proper tools and techniques.

Once you're ready to begin, begin by removing the old window by removing the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. These are tiny triangles of metal that function as "nails" to hold the window in place. They are placed under a bead of glazing putty that transforms into a solid moulded wedge that secures the window in place and hides the window's points.

After taking off 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. Sand them down to clean wooden surfaces so you can paint the frames the same shade. After sanding the wood you can apply a layer flax oil. This will help prolong the life of the frame.

Then, you need to measure the size 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 get the exact measurement for the new pane. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. You can take these measurements to a hardware store or home improvement store 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.