How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane could be a source of frustration. It could 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.

This is a project you could do yourself for a fraction of the cost of hiring a professional. You'll only require the right tools and a few minutes of your time.

Glass

Replace your old single-paned windows with tempered insulated glass to increase energy efficiency, cut down on noise, and maintain the historic integrity of your older home. The process of replacing a window pane is relatively simple and can be done by most homeowners who possess basic hand tools. In addition to a new pane, the following tools are required: latex glazing putty; glazier's points; pliers; and a heat gun for warming the old putty if required. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to starting. Working with broken glass could cause serious injuries.

Take out any broken glass pieces that remain. This is best done using a pair of pliers, though using a flathead screwdriver can also be used in the pinch. Then, use a wood chisel or putty knife take the remainder of the old putty from the frame and sash. Be careful not to break the window glass replacement sash. Work slowly and carefully. It is a good idea to do this on a stable ladder instead of the ground and to have someone standing below the sash to help hold it steady.

Make sure that the window frame is ready to receive the new pane after you have removed the old glue. Measure the width and height of the opening in the sash and subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). These measurements can be taken to a hardware or home center store to have an item cut from glass that is in stock to the correct size. You can also cut the glass yourself if you have the tools you need.

After installing the glass, apply a small amount of caulking around 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 sash and the frame, but they also shouldn't be too loose.

Before applying the putty on the surface, you must knead it thoroughly until it is soft and free of lumps. Roll it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be placed in the corner of the frame, working from one corner to the next so that it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular pieces of metal that allow glass to be secured to the frame without damaging the delicate surface. Learning how to use these little helpers is easy and can save you money on a professional installation or the cost of purchasing new glass.

After removing the old putty, glazier points, and any other remnants clean the frame thoroughly with an utility knife. If necessary it is necessary to lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves to smooth out rough spots. If you do sand the wood, ensure you protect it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

Measure the empty frame's dimensions and note down precise measurements. These measurements can be brought to the hardware or home center store and the new pane will be cut to a smaller size. This will ensure a snug fit and Window Seal Replacement will allow room for expansion and contraction.

Insert the new pane into the frame and press it down using your hands. Use the point of the chisel, or the back of the putty blade to smudge the glaziers' points as shown 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 lip of the rabbet groove.

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

Install the new window sash once the glazing compound has dried. First, saturate the wood with a thick coat of Linseed oil. This will prevent the newly-created putty drying out or cracking when it absorbs moisture. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or Window Seal Replacement even the tip of the blade. Then, use the chisel that is on the back of the tool or the back of the handle to gently smash the new sash or glazier's point into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown or a rock thrown by error or a branch falling can result in a cracked or cracked window pane. Fortunately, windows can be replaced by simply placing a new piece in place. The glass is held into position by a small metal clip, also known as 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 pull-type scraper or wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves when you work. If the window is glued to the frame, you'll need make use of a heat gun to soften the adhesive prior to prying it free.

If you plan to reinstall the original sash, gently remove the molding pieces that secure the old pane. Then you can sand the sash down to ensure it's smooth and ready for a new caulk. Once the sash is installed it is possible to apply a silicone caulk on the glass. This will ensure that it doesn't leak over time or discolor.

Remove the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash, where the glass is located. If they are hard to chisel, use a hand tool such as a heating gun over them to soften first. When using a heating tool, be careful to not scratch the sash's railings and sash.

Prepare a bed for your new pane after removing the old putty and glazing points. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, shaping it into a 1/2-inch thick. Press it into the rabbets, where the glass will be placed. It is essential that the glass sits on the putty in all places on each side, so if you need to, lightly tap the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked you can fill it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk prior to pressing it into the sash. If not, you'll have to putty over the crack to form an airtight seal and keep water out. After the putty has dried clean the oily film off the glass and let it dry completely before you paint. If you paint before the putty is completely dry, it will not form a solid seal and could discolor or leak in time.

Paint

If you've experienced a broken window pane, you might be worried about the cost of a new one. The truth is, replacing a single piece of glass doesn't have to be expensive when you do it on your own. Even a double-paned window seal replacement - www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk, can be replaced at a fraction of the cost it would cost an expert.

If you are working with a large glass window pane replacement first ensure it is securely attached to the frame. By using the correct tools and techniques to complete this task easily and quick.

When you are ready to start taking down the old window pane. Take out the metal glazing points that are attached to it. These are basically small metal triangles that act as "nails" which hold the window in in the wood frame. They are placed beneath a layer of glazing putty, which transforms into a solid molded wedge that holds the window firmly in place and conceals the edges.

After you have removed the old pane taken away Clean up the frame and wood. Scrape away any old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves, where the glazing points were. Sand them down to bare wooden surfaces, allowing you to paint the frames with the same shade. After sanding, apply a layer of flax oil to the wood's surface to help extend its lifespan.

Then, take measurements of the dimensions of the window opening. It is necessary to take vertical and horizontal measurements of the entire opening and also the thickness of the old pane. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure you have the exact size for the new pane. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. Take these dimensions to your local hardware or home improvement store and ask them to cut you 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, it can be painted with the same color as the frame to prevent water and air from leaking into the frame and causing fogging.