Five Essential Qualities Customers Are Searching For In Every Replace Window Pane

How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window can be a nuisance. This can be an opportunity to upgrade to energy-efficient windows or insulated ones and enjoy benefits like increased comfort, increased resale values and lower utility costs.

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

Glass

If your single-pane windows are outdated, deteriorating or broken replacing them with modern glass that is tempered or insulated will increase energy efficiency and reduce noise while also preserving the historic integrity of older homes. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can replace window pane (in the know) windows with ease. You will also need an additional window pane, glazier's tips, pliers, and latex glaze putty. If needed you may use a heatgun to warm the old putty. Wear safety glasses and gloves prior to starting. Working with broken glass can cause serious injuries.

Take away any broken glass pieces remaining. It is recommended to use pliers, but a flathead can be useful equally. Make use of a wood chisel or putty knives to remove any remaining old putty around the frame and window sash. Take your time and work slowly making sure not to damage the old window sash. This is best done on an elevated ladder, not on the ground. Also, ensure that someone on the ground to hold it steady.

Make sure that the window frame is ready to accommodate the new pane after you have removed the old putty. Measure the width and height of the opening in the sash and subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). Bring these measurements to the nearest hardware store or home center and find a piece glass replacement windows cut to size. You can also cut the glass yourself, if you have the right tools.

After installing the new pane after installing the new pane, put a tiny amount of caulking around the edge to ensure it is weatherproof. Then, you can install a glazier's pointing on the frame's opposite side to hold the pane in the right place. The points shouldn't be so tight that they create friction between the sash and frame, but they also shouldn't be loose.

Before applying the putty, work it in a gentle manner until it is soft and free of lumps. Make it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be glued to the corner of the frame. Work from one corner to the next and ensure that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are the tiny triangular pieces of steel that allow glass to be secured into a window frame without damaging or scratching the delicate surface. It's simple to learn how to use this nefarious tool, and you'll save money on the cost of an expert installation.

After taking off the old putty, glazier points and any residue clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife. If needed you can lightly sand the wood in the grooves of the rabbets to smooth rough spots. If you sand wood, protect it with painter’s tape to prevent accidental damage.

Note down the exact dimensions of the frame. Take these measurements to an hardware store or home center, and have the new pane made slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure that the pane fits comfortably and allows for expansion and contraction.

Insert the new pane into the frame and push it in using your hands. Use the chisel's point, or the back of the putty knife to smudge the glaziers' points as shown in Figure 11. After you're done, the points should be flush with the top edge of the pane, and the shoulders of the points should be below the lip of the rabbet groove.

Apply a thin layer of glazing compound on the edges of the glass that has been made and into the rabbet grooves to seal and protect them. Let it dry and cure fully.

After the glazing compound dries and the glazing compound is dry, you can install the new window sash. First, coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will stop the new putty drying out or cracking when it absorbs moisture. Use a brush to apply this coat, or even the tip of the blade. Then use the chisel on the back of the tool or the back of the handle to gently hit the new sash, replace Window pane or glazier's point into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches around the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown at you or a rock that is errant or a falling branch can cause a window pane to crack or break. Fortunately, windows can be repaired by simply placing a new piece of glass in its the right place. The glass is held into place by a small metal clip, also known as a glazier’s point and putty. This compound is also referred to as glazing compound. Before installing a new pane, first take out the old one and clean up the area with a rag and the pull-type paint scraper or the wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while doing this work. If the window is glued to the frame, you'll have to use a heat gun to soften the adhesive prior to prying it free.

If you are planning to replace the original sash, gently remove any pieces of molding that are used to secure the old pane. Then you can sand the sash down to ensure it's smooth and ready to be re-caulked. Once the sash is reinstalled then, you can apply a silicone caulk to 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 located. If they're difficult to chisel, hold the hand tool, like a heat gun over them for a few minutes to soften them. When using a heated tool, be sure to avoid damaging the sash's railings and sash.

Make the bed for your new pane after you have removed the old putty and glazing points. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, shaping it into a 1/2-inch thick. Place it into the rabbets, where the glass will be put. It is crucial that the glass rests against the putty in all places on both sides If you have to do so, gently tap the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can cover it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk prior pressing it into the sash. Otherwise, you'll need to apply putty over the crack to create a tight seal and keep water out. After the putty is dry, clean the oily film off the glass with the help of a rag. Allow it to dry completely before painting. Paint before the putty has completely dried. It won't create a solid seal and may be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a broken pane of glass. The truth is, replacing a single pane of glass doesn't have to be expensive when you do it on your own. In fact windows with double panes can be replaced for only a fraction of the cost of a professional.

First, if you are working on a large window sash replacement, make sure it is securely fixed to the frame. This task can be done relatively easy and fast with the proper tools and techniques.

Once you're ready to begin, begin by removing the old window pane by removing the metal glazing points that are attached to it. These are basically small metal triangles which function as "nails" that keep the window in in the wood frame. They are submerged beneath a layer of glazing putty, which transforms into a solid molded wedge which holds the window in place and hides the edges.

After removal of the old pane clean the frame and wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used, and sand the rabbet grooves that the glazing points were. These should be sanded down to the point of being bare, to allow you to paint them the same shade as the rest of the frame. After sanding the wood you can apply a layer flax oil. This will help extend its life.

Then, take measurements of the dimensions of the window 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 have the exact size for the new pane. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass in times of seasonal change. Take these measurements to the hardware or home improvement store and ask them to cut you 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.