How to Replace Window Panes

A cracked window pane is an inconvenience. It could also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows, and enjoy benefits such as improved comfort, increased potential for resales, and less bills.

You can do it yourself at less than what it would cost to employ 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 more modern glass that is tempered or insulated will improve energy efficiency and reduce noise while also preserving the historical integrity of older homes. The process of replacing the window pane is simple and can be done by homeowners with basic hand tools. You'll also require an additional window pane, glazier's tips pliers, and latex glaze putty. If necessary you can make use of a heat gun to warm the old putty. Before starting, put on gloves and safety glasses as working with broken glass can cause injuries.

Take away any broken glass pieces remaining. This is best accomplished with the help of pliers but a flathead screwdriver can also work in a pinch. Use a wood chisel, or putty knife to get rid of any old putty that remains around the frame and window sash. Work slowly and carefully making sure not to damage the old window sash. It is best to do this on a stable ladder rather than the ground and to place someone on the sash to help keep it steady.

Prepare the window frame to receive the new pane after you have removed the old glue. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction by subtracting 1/8 inch from the measurements of the width and height. Take these measurements to the nearest hardware store or home center and get a piece of stock glass cut to size. Alternatively, you can cut the glass yourself if you have the tools you need.

After installing the new glass, apply some caulking to the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then, place a glazier's tip on the frame's opposite side to secure the pane in the right place. The points shouldn't be too tight that they create 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 is smooth and free of lumps. Cut it into pencil-sized pieces. The first strip should be glued to the corner of the frame. Work from corner to corner to ensure it's even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's facets are small triangular pieces which help to secure glass into frames for windows without damaging or scratching the delicate surface. Learning how to use these hidden little helpers is easy and can save you money on professional installation or the cost of purchasing new glass.

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

Take the dimensions of the frame and write down accurate measurements. These dimensions 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 perfectly and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and push it into the frame using your hand. Utilize the chisel's point or the back of the putty knife to tap in the glazier's points as illustrated in Figure 11. When you're done taping, they should be level with the top edge of the pane and the shoulders that are raised of the points should be just below the rabbet's lip. groove.

Apply a thin layer of glazing compound to the rabbet grooves as well as the edges of the new glass. This will seal and protect the edges. 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 prevent the new putty from soaking in the moisture and deteriorating and cracking over time. Use a brush to apply this coat, or even the tip of the blade. Then use the chisel on the back of the tool or the back of the putty handle to gently hammer the new sash or glazier's tip into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown, a rock thrown in error, or a tree falling can cause a broken or cracked window replacement companies pane. The majority of windows can be repaired easily by simply putting in a fresh piece. The glass is held into the position with a tiny metal clip, also known as the glazier's point, and nearest putty. This compound is also called glazing compound. Before installing a replacement window glass near me pane, first take out the old one and clean the area using a rag and a pull-type paint scraper or an abrasive wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while doing this work. If the window is attached to the frame, you'll need employ a heat gun in order to soften the adhesive prior to taking it off.

If you plan to reinstall the original sash, remove any pieces of molding that hold the old pane in place. Then, sand the sash to make sure it's flat and ready for a new caulk. Once the sash is installed, apply a new caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure it won't leak or discolor over time.

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets, or the grooves in the sash where the glass is. If they are hard to chisel, hold the hand tool, such as a heatgun over them for nearest a few minutes to soften them. When using a heated tool, be sure to not damage the sash or its railings.

After the old points of glazing and putty have been removed, make a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your fingers and make it about 1/2 inch thick. Press it into the rabbets, where the glass will be put. It is essential that the glass is positioned against the putty on each side, so if you need to, lightly tap the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack, you can cover it with a solvent-based glass glue or silicone caulk prior to pressing it into the sash. If the crack isn't sealed, you'll need to use putty to keep the water out. When the putty dries, clean the oily film off the glass with a rag and allow it to dry completely before painting. If you paint before the putty has completely dry, it will not form a solid seal and could discolor or leak over time.

Paint

If you've experienced a broken window pane, you might be worried about the expense of replacing it. But the truth is that replacing a single glass pane doesn't have to break the bank when you do it yourself. Even a double-paned window can be replaced at a fraction of the cost it will cost a professional.

First, if you're working on a large window, make sure that it is securely attached to the frame. By using the correct tools and techniques to complete this task easily and speedy.

If you're ready to begin, begin by removing the old window pane by prying out the metal glazing points that are connected to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles that act as "nails" that keep the window in within the frame of wood. They are submerged under a bead of glazing putty that transforms into a solid formed wedge which holds the window in place and conceals the window's points.

After taking off the old pane clean the frame and wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used and sand down the rabbet grooves that the glazing points were placed. Sand them down to clean wood surfaces, so that you can paint the frames the same color. After sanding, apply a coat of flax oil on the wood that is not sanded down to prolong its life.

Then, take measurements of the dimensions of the window's opening. You will need to measure the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the entire opening, as well as the thickness. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure you get the exact measurement for the new pane. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. Bring these measurements to your local hardware or home improvement store 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.