How to Replace Window Panes

A cracked window pane is an inconvenience. It could be a chance to upgrade to energy-efficient windows or insulated ones to enjoy benefits such as improved comfort, higher resale value and reduced utility costs.

This is a project you could do yourself for a fraction of the cost of hiring a professional. You'll need only the proper tools and a few minutes 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 maintain the historic integrity of your old home. The majority of homeowners with basic hand tools can repair the window pane. You will also need a replacement double glazed windows 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. Before starting, wear gloves and safety glasses as working with broken glass can cause injuries.

Take out any broken glass pieces that remain. This can be done with the help of pliers but a flathead screwdriver can also be used in the pinch. Then, use a wooden chisel, or putty knife, to remove the remaining old putty around the frame and sash. Take your time and work slowly making sure not to damage the old window sash. This can be done best on an elevated ladder, not on the ground. Also, you should have someone on the ground to ensure it is held steady.

After you've removed all the old putty, it is time to prepare the window frame for the new pane. Measure the width and height of the opening for the sash by 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 have a piece cut of glass that is in stock to the correct size. You can also cut the glass by yourself if you have the appropriate tools.

After putting in the new pane After installing the new pane, apply a small amount of caulking around the edges to seal it against weather. Then install a glazier's point on each side of the frame to hold the pane in place. The points shouldn't be too tight that they cause friction between the frame and the sash, but they should also not be loose.

Before applying the putty make sure to knead it until it's soft and free of lumps. Then you can roll it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be glued to the corner of the frame. Work from corner to corner, making sure it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular pieces of metal that help secure the glass to the frame without damaging the delicate surface. It's easy to learn how to use this hidden tool, and you'll save money on the expense of a professional installation.

After the old putty as well as the glazier's points have been removed, thoroughly clean the frame with a utility knife to get rid of any remaining residue. Lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves to smooth out rough areas. If you decide to sand wood, cover it with painter's tape to protect it from damage caused by accidental sanding.

Note down the exact dimensions of the frame. These measurements can be taken to a home center or hardware store, and the new frame will be cut slightly smaller. This will ensure that the pane fits comfortably and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane in the frame and push it in using your hands. Make use of the chisel's point, or the back of the putty knife to tap in the glaziers' points as shown in Figure 11. After you're done, the points should be level with the top edge of the pane. the raised shoulders of the points should be just below the rabbet's lip. groove.

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

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

Putty

A baseball thrown or a rock thrown in error, or a fallen tree could result in a broken or cracked window pane. The majority of windows can be replaced by simply putting in a fresh piece. The glass is held into place by a small metal clip, also known as a glazier’s point and putty. This compound is also called glazing compound. Before installing a new pane, first take out the old one and clean the area using the help of a rag, a pull-type paint scraper or an abrasive wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while working. You'll need a heating gun when the window is fixed into the frame.

If you plan to reinstall the original sash, gently remove any pieces of molding that secure the old pane. Then sand the sash to ensure it's level and ready for a new caulk. After the sash has been installed, you can apply a silicone caulk on the glass. This will ensure that it won't get soiled or discolor over time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets, the grooves in the sash, where the glass sits. If they're hard to chisel out, try placing an instrument like a heat gun to soften them up first. When using a heating tool, be sure to avoid damaging the sash's railings and sash.

Create the bed for your new pane after removing the old glaze and putty. Roll a rope with glazing compound between your fingers, and make it around 1/2 inch thick. Then, push it into the rabbets, where the glass will rest. It is crucial that the glass rests against the putty on each side, so if you need to, lightly tap the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is damaged, you can use the silicone caulk or glass glue made from solvents to seal the crack prior to pressing it in the sash. If not, you'll have to apply putty on the crack to form a tight seal and keep water out. When the putty dries and the film is oily, wipe it off the glass with the help of a rag. Allow it to completely dry before painting. Paint after the putty has dried completely. It won't form a good seal and could be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

If you've suffered a break in a window pane, you might be worried about the expense of replacing it. However, replacing one glass pane does not require a huge amount of money if you do it yourself. In fact even Windows Glass Replacement with double glazed windows replacement panes can be replaced for only a fraction of the cost of a professional.

If you are working on a large window, ensure that it is securely fastened to the frame. Using the proper tools and techniques, you can accomplish this task fairly easily and speedy.

When you are ready to begin taking down the old window pane. Take out the metal glazing points that are attached to it. These are basically small metal triangles that function as "nails" which hold the window in within the frame of wood. They are submerged beneath a layer of glazing putty that transforms into a solid formed wedge that holds the window firmly in place and hides the window's points.

After you have the old pane removed, clean up the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape off any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were. Sand them to bare wooden surfaces, allowing you to paint the frames the same shade. After sanding the wood then apply a layer of flax oil. This will help extend its life.

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 size of the new pane, subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. You can bring these measurements to a hardware store or home improvement shop and get 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.