How to Replace Window Panes

A cracked window glass replacement pane can cause a lot of trouble. It can also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows and enjoy benefits such as more comfort, higher the value of resales and lower utility bills.

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

Glass

If your single-pane windows are outdated, deteriorating or broken, Replacement Windows Near Me replacing them with newer insulated or tempered glass can increase energy efficiency and reduce noise while maintaining the original character of older homes. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can repair windows with ease. In addition to a replacement pane, the following items are required for the replacement Windows Near me (125.141.133.9) process: latex glazing putty glazier's points; pliers; and the use of a heat gun to warm the old putty if required. Wear safety glasses and gloves prior to starting. Working with broken glass could result in serious injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. It is best to use pliers for this however, a flathead may be useful equally. Use a wood chisel, or putty knife to get rid of any old putty remaining around the frame and window sash. Be careful and slow making sure not to break the existing window sash. It is recommended to do this on a stable ladder rather than the ground, and to place someone on the sash in order to help hold it in place.

Make sure the window frame is ready to accommodate the new pane when you have removed the old putty. 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). These measurements can be taken to a home center or hardware store to have cut a piece of glass that is in stock to the correct size. You can also cut the glass yourself if have the right tools.

After putting in the new glass, apply caulking to the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then, you can install a glazier's pointing on each side of the frame to hold the pane in the right place. The points should not be too tight that they create friction between the frame and sash however they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty work it in a gentle manner until it is soft and free of lumps. Then, roll it into pencil-size strips. Apply the first strip to the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to the next so that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

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

After the old putty and glazier's points are removed, thoroughly clean the frame with a knife to eliminate any remaining traces. If necessary, lightly sand the wood along grooves of the rabbet to smooth rough spots. If you do sand the wood, make sure to protect it by using painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Take the dimensions of the frame and record precise measurements. Take these measurements to a hardware store or a home center, and have the new pane made slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a secure fit and leave room for expansion and contraction.

Insert the new pane into 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 point should be flush against the top edge of your pane and the shoulders raised should be just below that lip.

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

Install the new window sash when the glazing compound has dried. The first step is to coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will keep the new putty from taking up moisture and drying out and cracking with time. Apply the coat using a brush or the edge of your putty knife, then use the chisel, or the back end from the putty knife to gently hammer in the new sash and glazier's points into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches around the frame's perimeter.

Putty

A baseball thrown at you or an unintentional rock, or a falling branch can cause a window pane to crack or break. The majority of windows can be replaced easily by installing 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 referred to as glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area using the rag, a scraper that is a pull type or a wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves when working. You'll require a heat gun when the window is fixed to the frame.

If you are planning to reinstall your original sash, you must remove the molding that holds the old pane. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is installed and sanded, apply a fresh silicone caulk around the glass to ensure it doesn't swell or fade as time passes.

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets and the grooves in the sash that the glass is. If they're difficult to chisel, use a hand tool such as a heating gun over them to soften first. When using a heating tool, be sure to not scratch the sash's railings and sash.

Make a bed for your new pane after removing the old glaze and putty. Roll a rope 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. The glass should rest against the putty on both sides. If you need to you want to tap your glass lightly into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can cover it with a solvent-based glass glue or silicone caulk prior pressing it into the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you'll require putty to keep water from getting in. Once the putty is dry remove the oily film off of the glass and allow it to dry completely before painting. If you paint before the putty is completely dry, it will not form a strong seal and may be leaking or discoloring in time.

Paint

If you've suffered a break in a window pane, you might be concerned about the expense of a new one. But the truth is that replacing one glass pane does not need to cost a fortune when you do it yourself. Even a double-paned window could be replaced for a fraction of the price it would cost a professional.

If you are working with a large glass window first, ensure that it is securely fixed to the frame. By using the correct tools and techniques you can make this task relatively easy and speedy.

When you are ready to begin, remove the old window pane. Remove the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles that function as "nails" which hold the window in in the wood frame. They are buried beneath a bead or glazing putty which hardens into a solid wedge which holds the wood frame securely in place and conceals the edges.

After removing the old pane, clean the frame and wood. Scrape off any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were. These should be sanded to bare wood, so that you can paint them the same color as the rest of the frame. After the sanding process, apply a coat of flax oil to the wood that is not sanded down to extend the life of the frame.

The next step is to measure the dimensions of the window opening. You'll need to determine the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the entire opening, as well as the thickness. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure you have the exact size for the new pane. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass in times of seasonal changes. Bring these measurements to a hardware or home improvement store, and they will 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.