The Hidden Secrets Of Replace Window Pane

How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window can be a source of frustration. It can also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows and reap benefits like improved comfort, increased resale value and reduced utility bills.

You can do it yourself for less than what it would cost to hire an expert. It requires the right equipment and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

Replace your old single-paned windows with tempered or insulate glass to improve the efficiency of your energy, reduce noise, and protect the historic integrity of your older home. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can replace windows with ease. In addition to a new pane, the following tools are needed: latex glazing putty; glazier's points; pliers; and an electric heater to warm the old putty, if necessary. Before starting, wear protective gloves and goggles since working with broken glass may cause injuries.

Take out any broken glass pieces that remain. This is best accomplished with the help of pliers however, a flathead screwdriver can also be used in the pinch. Then, use a wooden chisel or putty knife to remove the remaining old putty from the frame and sash. Be careful to not damage the window sash. Be careful and slow. It is a good idea to do this using a sturdy ladder instead of the ground, and to have someone stand below the sash to help hold it in place.

Prepare the window frame to receive the new pane once you have removed the old putty. Measure the width and height of the opening in the sash, 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 cut the glass yourself if you have the appropriate tools.

After putting the new pane in place After installing the new pane, apply a small amount of caulking along the edge to ensure it is weatherproof. Install a glazier's point on both sides of the frame. This will secure the pane. The points should not be too tight that they cause friction between the frame and sash, but they should also not be loose.

Before applying the putty knead it thoroughly until it's soft and free of lumps. Make it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be placed to the corner of the frame, working from one corner to the other so that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's facets are small triangular pieces of metal which help to secure glass into the frame of a window without scratching or damaging the fragile surface. Knowing how to use these tiny helpers is simple and could save you money on professional installation or the cost of buying new glass.

After removing the old putty, glazier points, and any other remnants Clean the frame thoroughly with an utility knife. Lightly sand the wood into the rabbet grooves if needed to smooth rough areas. If you sand wood, cover it with painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Note down the dimensions of the frame. Take these dimensions to a hardware store or a home center and have the new pane cut smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a tight fit, and allow for expansion and contraction.

Place the new window in the frame and push it into place firmly by using your hands. Then use the point of your chisel or the back end of the putty knife to tap in the glazier's points as shown in Figure 11. The glazier's points should be in line with the top edge of your pane and the shoulders should be just below the lip.

Apply a thin bead of glazing compound over the edges of the glass that has been made and into the rabbet grooves, to seal and protect them. Allow it to dry and cure completely.

Once the glazing compound has dried, you're ready to install the new window sash. First, saturate the wood with a thick coat of Linseed oil. This will stop the new putty from soaking up moisture and drying out and cracking over time. Use a brush to apply this coat, or the point of the putty 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 grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.

Putty

A baseball hit or a rock thrown in error, or a fallen tree can result in a cracked or cracked window. Most replacement windows prices can be replaced easily by putting in a new piece. The glass is held in place by a small metal clip, also known as a glazier's point and putty. This compound is also called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area with the rag, a scraper that is a pull type or a wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves while working. You'll need a heat gun in the event that the window is glued to the frame.

If you are planning to install the original sash, take off the molding that supports the old pane. Then you can sand the sash down to make sure it's flat and ready to be re-caulked. After the sash has been reinstalled, local you can apply a silicone caulk over the glass. This will ensure that it won'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 the hand tool, such as a heatgun over them for a few minutes to soften them. If you're using a heated gun, be careful not to cause damage to the railings of the sash or the sash itself by placing the tool too closely.

After the old glaze points and putty have been removed make a bed for the new pane. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, forming it to be about 1/2-inch thick. Then, press it into the rabbets in which the glass will be. It is essential that the glass is positioned against the putty in all places on each side So if you have to tap it, gently press the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack then you can seal it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk prior to pressing it into the sash. In other cases, you'll need to putty over the crack to form an impervious seal to keep water out. When the putty dries, clean the oily film off the glass with the help of a rag. Allow it to dry completely before painting. Paint before the putty is completely dry. It will not create a solid seal and may be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a broken piece of glass. However, replacing one glass pane does not have to break the bank when you do it yourself. In fact, even a double-pane window can be replaced at a fraction of the cost of an expert.

First, if you're working on a large-sized window, ensure that it is securely fixed to the frame. With the right tools and techniques to make this task relatively easy and speedy.

Once you're ready to begin with the removal of the old window pane by removing the glazing points of metal that are attached to it. These are basically small metal triangles which function as "nails" that keep the window in place in the wood frame. They are submerged beneath a bead or glazing glue that hardens to an unbreakable wedge that holds the frame in place and hides the sharp edges.

After you have removed the old pane taken away, clean up the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape off any old paint, and sand the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were placed. 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 then apply a layer of flax oil. This will help prolong the life of the frame.

Next, measure the dimensions of the window opening. You'll need to take horizontal and vertical measurements of the entire opening and also the thickness of the old pane. 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 seasons of change. Bring these measurements to your local hardware or home improvement store and ask them to cut you a piece 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.