How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window can cause a lot of trouble. This can be an opportunity to upgrade to energy-efficient windows or insulated ones, and reap benefits such as improved comfort, increased resale values and reduced utility bills.

This is a project you could take on yourself for less than the cost of hiring a professional. It requires the right tools and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

Replace your old single-paned windows with tempered insulated glass to increase the efficiency of your energy, reduce noise, and protect the original character of your old home. The process of replacing Repair My Windows And Doors is easy and can be accomplished by anyone with basic hand tools. You will also need an extra window pane, glazier's suggestions, pliers, and latex glazing putty. If necessary, you can make use of a heat gun to warm the old putty. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to beginning. Working with broken glass could cause serious injuries.

Take out any broken glass pieces that remain. It is recommended to use pliers, but a flathead can be used equally. Then, use a wood chisel or putty knife take the remainder of the old putty around the frame and sash. Be careful not to scratch the window sash. Take your time and work slowly. It is best to do this using a sturdy ladder rather than the ground, and to have someone standing below the sash to help hold it in place.

Make sure the window frame is ready to receive the new pane once you have removed the old glue. Take measurements of the width and height of the opening in the sash, subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). Take these measurements to the nearest hardware store or home center and have 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. Then, you can install a glazier's pointing on the frame's opposite side to secure the pane into place. The points shouldn't be tight enough to create friction between the frame and sash However, they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty on the surface, gently knead it until it is soft and free from lumps. Roll it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip to the corner of the frame. Work from one corner to another, making sure it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular pieces which help to secure glass into the frame of a window without scratching or damaging the fragile surface. It's easy to understand how to use this nefarious tool, and you'll be able to save money on the cost of an installation by a professional.

After removing the old putty, glazier points and any leftovers, clean the frame thoroughly with an utility knife. Lightly sand the frame in the rabbet grooves to smooth rough areas. If you do sand the wood, ensure you protect it by using painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Note down the dimensions of the frame. These dimensions can be taken to an hardware or home centers store, and the new pane will be cut to a smaller size. This will ensure a snug fit and leave room for expansion and contraction.

Insert the new pane into the frame and push firmly with your hands. Utilize the point of the chisel, or the edge of the putty blade to tap the glazier's points as shown in Figure 11. The glazier's points should sit aligned with the top edge of the pane and the shoulders should be just below the lip.

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

After the glazing compound dries and the glazing compound is dry, you can install the new window sash. First, you need to coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will keep the new putty from soaking up moisture and drying out and cracking with time. Apply this coat using a brush or the tip of your putty knife, then use the chisel or the back end of the putty knife to gently hammer the new sash and glazier's points into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process every 10 inches around the frame's perimeter.

Putty

A hurled baseball or Repair My Windows And Doors an unintentional rock, or a fallen branch can cause a window to crack or break. Fortunately, the majority of windows can be easily replaced by simply putting a new piece in the right place. The glass is held in place using a small metal clip called a glazier's point and putty, also called glazing compound. Before installing a new pane, first get rid of the old one and clean up the area using the help of a rag, the pull-type paint scraper or a wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while doing this work. If the window is attached to the frame, you'll need to use a heat gun to soften the adhesive prior to taking it off.

If you plan to reinstall the original sash, gently remove the molding pieces that hold the old pane in place. Then sand the sash to ensure it's smooth and ready for a new caulk. After the sash has been installed it is possible to apply a silicone caulk to the glass. This will ensure that it won't leak over time or discolor.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets, or the grooves in the sash, where the glass sits. If they're hard to cut, place an instrument such as a heatgun over them to allow them to soften before. If you're using a heating gun, be careful not to damage the sash or its railings by using the tool too closely.

Once the old points of glazing and putty have been removed, prepare 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 in which the glass will be. It is essential that the glass sits on the putty on both sides So if you have to do so, gently tap the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked then you can seal it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk prior to pressing it into the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you will need to use putty to keep water from getting in. Once the putty is dry remove the oily film off the glass and allow it to dry completely before you paint. Paint before the putty has dried completely. It won't form a good seal and could leak or discolor with time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a broken piece of glass. However, replacing one glass pane does not require a huge amount of money if you do it yourself. Even a replacement double glazed window-paned window could be replaced at a fraction of the cost it costs an expert.

If you are working with large glass windows, first make sure it is securely attached to the frame. Using the proper tools and techniques, you can complete this task easily and quick.

When you're ready to start, begin by removing the old window by removing the glazing points of metal that are attached to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles that act as "nails" that hold the window screen replacement in place in the wood frame. They are buried beneath a glaze putty or bead that hardens to an unbreakable wedge that holds the wood frame firmly in position and hides the points.

Once you have the old pane removed, clean up the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used and sand down the rabbet grooves in which the glazing points were placed. These should be sanded to bare wood, to allow you to paint them the same color as the rest of the frame. After sanding the wood then apply a layer of flax oil. This will help to extend its life.

Then, take measurements of the dimensions of the window's opening. You will need to measure the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the entire opening, as well as the thickness. To determine 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 changes. You can take 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.