How to Replace Window Pane Window Panes

A damaged replace window handle pane can be an issue. It can also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows and enjoy benefits such as greater comfort, a higher potential for resales, and less bills.

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

Glass

If your single-pane windows are old, deteriorating or broken replacing them with more modern insulated or tempered glass can increase energy efficiency and reduce noise while maintaining the historic integrity of older homes. The procedure of replacing the window pane is simple and can be done by anyone with basic hand tools. You will also need an additional window pane, glazier's tips pliers, and latex glazing putty. If needed, you can use a heatgun to warm the old putty. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to beginning. 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 used as well. Make use of a wood chisel or putty knives, to take away any remaining old putty around the frame and window sash. Be careful not to damage the window sash. Take your time and work slowly. This is best done on a ladder, not the ground. Also, you should have someone below the sash hold it steady.

Make sure that the window frame is ready to accommodate the new pane when you have removed the old putty. Find the width and the height of the sash opening, subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). These measurements can be sent to a hardware or home center store to get a piece cut of stock glass to the right size. You can cut the glass yourself if you possess the right tools.

After installing the glass After installing the glass, apply a small amount of caulking to the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Install a glazier's point on both sides of the frame. This will secure the pane. The points shouldn't be so tight that they cause friction between the frame and sash however they shouldn't be loose.

Before applying the putty on the surface, knead thoroughly until it becomes soft and free of lumps. Make it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip to the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to the next so that it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are tiny triangular pieces of steel that allow glass to be secured to the frame without causing any damage to the fragile surface. It's easy to learn how to use this hidden tool, and you'll be able to save money on the expense of a professional installation.

After 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. Lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves if needed to smooth rough areas. If you do sand your wood, ensure you protect it by using painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Write down the dimensions of the frame. Bring these measurements to an hardware store or home center and request that 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 press it in place using your hand. Then use the point of your chisel or the back of the putty knife to tap in the glazier's points as illustrated in Figure 11. After you're done, the points should be flush with the top edge of the pane, and the shoulders that are raised of the points should be just below the rabbet's rim groove.

Apply a thin layer of glazing compound over the edges of the new glass and in the rabbet grooves to seal and protect them. Allow this to dry and cure fully.

Install the new window sash after the glazing compound has dried. First, you need to coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will stop the new putty drying out or cracking due to the moisture it absorbs. Apply the coat using a brush or the tip of your putty knife, then employ the chisel or back end of the knife to gently hammer in the new sash and glazier's tips into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches along the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A baseball that is thrown or a rock that is errant or a falling branch can cause a window to crack or break. Luckily, most windows can be repaired by simply placing a new piece in the proper place. The glass is held into the position with a tiny metal clip, called a glazier’s point and putty. This compound is also called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area using a rag, a scraper that is a pull type or a wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while working. If the window is attached to the frame, you'll need employ a heat gun in order to soften the adhesive before taking it off.

If you are planning to install your original sash, you must remove the molding that supports the old pane. Sand the sash until it is flat and ready to receive new caulk. Once the sash is installed and sanded, apply a fresh silicone caulk to the glass to ensure that it doesn't swell or fade over time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets, the grooves in the sash that the glass is. If they're hard to chisel out, try holding an instrument like a heat gun to soften them before you do. When using a heated tool, be sure to avoid damaging the sash and its railings.

After the old glaze points and putty have been removed, prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, forming it into a 1/2-inch thick. Then, push it into the rabbets in which the glass will rest. It is essential that the glass rests against the putty on both sides If you have to do so, gently tap the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has cracked, you can apply a silicone caulk or glass glue that is based on solvents to fill in the crack before pressing it in the sash. If the crack isn't sealed, you will need to apply putty to keep the water out. After the putty is dry, clean the oily film off the glass using a rag and allow it to completely dry before painting. If you paint before the putty is fully dry, replace window pane it won't form an effective seal and could discolor or leak in time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a damaged piece of glass. However, replacing a single glass pane doesn't need to cost a fortune If you can do it yourself. Even double-paned windows can be replaced for a fraction of what it will cost for a professional.

If you are working on a large window, make sure that it is securely fastened to the frame. With the right tools and techniques to make this task relatively easy and speedy.

Once you're ready to begin taking off the old window by removing the glazing points of metal that are connected to it. These are small metal triangles that function as "nails" that hold the window in place. They are submerged under a bead of glazing putty that is then cured to form a solid, formed wedge that secures the window in place and conceals the points.

Once you have the old pane taken away, clean up the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape off any old paint, and sand the rabbet grooves in which the glazing points were placed. Sand them to bare wood surfaces, so that you can paint the frames the same shade. After the sanding process, apply a coat of flax oil on the bare wood to help extend its lifespan.

Then, take measurements of the dimensions of the window opening. It is necessary to measure the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the entire opening as well as the thickness. To determine the exact dimensions of the new pane subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass during seasonal changes. Take these dimensions to a 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, replace window pane it can be painted with the same color as the frame to prevent water and air from leaking into the frame and causing fogging.