How to Replace Window Pane Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window is an inconvenience. It could be a chance to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones, and reap benefits such as improved comfort, increased resale values and reduced utility bills.

This is a project you could do yourself for a fraction of the cost of hiring an expert. It requires the right tools and only an hour or two of your time.

Glass

If your single pane windows are old broken, deteriorating or damaged, replacing them with newer insulated or tempered glass can increase energy efficiency and decrease noise while also preserving the historical integrity of older homes. The procedure of replacing the window pane is easy and can be completed by homeowners with basic hand tools. You'll also require an extra window pane, glazier's tips, pliers, and latex glazing putty. If necessary, you can make use of a heat gun to warm the old putty. Wear safety glasses and gloves before you begin. Working with broken glass could result in serious injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. It is recommended to use pliers, but a flathead can work as well. Use a wood chisel, or putty knives to remove any remaining old putty around the frame and the window sash. Be careful not to break the window sash. Work slowly and carefully. It is best to do this using a sturdy ladder instead of the ground and to place someone on the sash in order to help hold it in place.

Prepare the window frame to accept the new pane after you have removed the old putty. Take measurements of the width and height of the sash opening, subtracting 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 get a piece of stock glass cut to size. You can cut the glass yourself if you possess the appropriate tools.

After installing the new pane, run a small bead of caulking along the edge to seal it against weather. Then, you can install a glazier's pointing on each side of the frame to secure the pane in the right place. The points should not be tight enough to create friction between the frame and the sash, but they should also not be loose.

Before applying the putty to the surface, gently knead it until it is smooth and free from lumps. Then, roll it into pencil-size strips. Apply the first strip to the frame's corner. Work from one corner to the next, making sure it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are tiny triangular metal pieces which help to secure the glass into the window frame without damaging the delicate surface. Knowing how to use these hidden tiny pieces of help is simple and could save you money on professional installation or the cost of new glass.

After the old putty as well as the glazier's points have been removed Clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife to remove any remaining residue. Lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves if needed to smooth rough areas. If you decide to sand the wood, ensure you protect it by using painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Measure the empty frame's dimensions and record precise measurements. These measurements can be taken to an hardware or home centers store, and the new frame will be cut a bit smaller. This will ensure a secure fit and leave room for expansion and contraction.

Place the new window in the frame and press it into place firmly by using your hands. Make use of the point of the chisel or the back of the putty blade to smudge the glaziers' points as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's points should be in line with the top edge of your pane and the shoulders raised should be just beneath that lip.

Apply a thin bead of glazing compound over the edges of the new glass and into the rabbet grooves, to seal and protect them. Allow it to dry completely and cure.

Install the new window sash once the glazing compound has dried. First, coat the wood with a heavy coat of linseed oil. This will keep the new putty from sucking in the moisture and deteriorating and cracking with time. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or the tip of the putty blade. Then use the chisel on the back of the putty tool or the back of the handle to gently hammer the new sash or glazier's point into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches around the frame's perimeter.

Putty

A baseball that is thrown or a rock that is errant or a fallen branch can cause a window to crack or break. Luckily, most windows can be easily replaced by simply putting a brand new piece in place. The glass is held in the position with a tiny metal clip, referred to as a glazier's point and putty. This compound is also called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area with an abrasive, scraper that is a pull type or a wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses when you work. If the window is glued to the frame, you'll need to employ a heat gun in order to soften the adhesive before cutting it loose.

If you're planning to install the original sash in the future, take care to remove the molding pieces that are used to secure the old pane. Then, sand Replace window pane the sash to make sure it's flat and ready for a new caulk. After the sash has been re-installed then, apply a new caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure it doesn't swell or fade as time passes.

Remove the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves in the sash, where the glass is located. If they're difficult to cut, place an instrument such as a heatgun over them to allow them to soften before. When using a heat tool, be sure to avoid damaging the sash and its railings.

After the old glaze points and putty are removed, make a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your hands, forming it to be about 1/2-inch thick. Then, push it into the rabbets where the glass will rest. It is crucial that the glass sits on the putty on each side, so if you need to tap it, gently press the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can use the silicone caulk or replace Window Pane glass glue based on solvents to seal the crack before pressing it into the sash. If the crack isn't sealed, you will need to apply putty to keep the water out. After the putty has dried, wipe the oily film from the glass and allow it to dry completely before painting. If you paint before the putty is fully dry, it won't form an effective seal and could leak or discolor over time.

Paint

If you've had a broken window pane, then you may be worried about the cost of a new one. In reality, replacing a single pane glass doesn't have to be costly even if you do it your own. Even double-paned windows can be replaced for a fraction of the price it would cost a professional.

If you are working with large glass windows first, ensure that it is securely fixed to the frame. With the right tools and techniques to complete this task easily and quick.

When you are ready to begin with the removal of the window pane. Remove the metal glazing points attached to it. These are tiny triangles of metal which act as "nails" to hold the window within the frame. They are buried beneath a bead or glazing putty which hardens into a solid wedge that holds the wood frame securely in place and hides the points.

After taking off the old pane clean the frame and wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used and sand the rabbet grooves in which the glazing points were. Sand them down to clean wood surfaces, so that you can paint the frames with the same color. After sanding, apply a coat of flax oil to the bare wood to help extend its lifespan.

Then, you need to measure the size of the window's opening. You'll need to take horizontal and vertical measurements of the entire opening and also the thickness of the old pane. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure that you have the exact size for the new pane. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. You can bring these measurements to a hardware store or home improvement store and have the glass cut for you.

Now, it's time to bed the new window replacement cost 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.