How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane could be a nuisance. It can also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows, and benefit from improved comfort, increased resale value and reduced utility costs.

It's a project you can take on yourself for a fraction of the cost of hiring a professional. You'll only require the appropriate tools and a few hours 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 increase energy efficiency and reduce noise while also preserving the historic integrity of older homes. The majority of homeowners with basic hand tools can replace windows with ease. In addition to a new pane, the following items are required: latex glazing putty; Glazier's points; pliers and an electric heater to warm the old putty, if necessary. Wear safety goggles and gloves before you begin. Working with broken glass could cause serious injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. It is recommended to use pliers for this however, a flathead may be used as well. Then, use a wood chisel, or putty knife, to take the remainder of the old putty from the frame and the sash. Be careful to not damage the window sash. Work slowly and carefully. This can be done best on a ladder, not on the ground. Also, you should have someone on the ground to hold it steady.

Once you've removed all the old putty, you can prepare the window frame for the new pane. Find the width and the height of the opening in the sash by subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). Take these measurements to an hardware store or home center, and have a piece of stock glass cut to size. You can also cut the glass yourself if have the tools you need.

After installing the new pane, run a small bead of caulking around the edge to seal it against weather. Install a glazier’s point on both sides of the frame. This will help secure the pane. The points shouldn't be so tight that they create friction between the frame and sash however they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty on the surface, knead thoroughly until it is soft and free replacement of window glass lumps. Then you can roll it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be placed in 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 facets are small triangular pieces that allow glass to be secured into frames for windows without scratching or damaging the fragile surface. Understanding how to use these hidden little helpers is easy and could save you money on professional installation or the cost of buying new glass.

After taking off the old putty, glazier points as well as any remaining leftovers, clean the frame thoroughly with an utility knife. If necessary you can lightly sand the wood along the grooves of the rabbet to smooth out rough areas. If you decide to sand wood, protect it with painter’s tape to protect it from damage caused by accidental sanding.

Measure the empty frame's dimensions and record precise measurements. These dimensions can be taken to the hardware or home center store and the new pane will be cut slightly smaller. This will ensure that the pane fits perfectly and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane in the frame and push firmly with your hands. Use the point of the chisel, or the back of the putty knife to tap the glaziers' points as illustrated in Figure 11. When you're done, they should be flush with the top edge of the pane. the shoulders of the points should be below the lip of the rabbet groove.

Apply a thin layer of glazing compound on the edges of the glass that has been made and into 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 a heavy coat of Linseed oil. This will prevent the newly-created putty from drying out and cracking due to the moisture it absorbs. Apply this coat with a brush or the edge of your putty knife, and then use the chisel, or the back end of the knife to gently press the new sash and glazier's point into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches around the frame's perimeter.

Putty

A baseball thrown, a rock thrown in error or a branch falling could result in a broken or cracked replacement window near me pane. Luckily, most windows can be easily replaced by simply placing a new piece of glass in its the right place. The glass is held in position by a small metal clip, referred to as a glazier's point and putty. This compound is also referred to as glazing compound. Before you install a new pane, first get rid of the old one and clean up the area using the help of a rag, a pull-type paint scraper or a wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves while doing this work. You'll require a heat gun when the window replacements near me is fixed to the frame.

If you're planning to reinstall your original sash, remove the molding that holds the old pane. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready to receive new caulk. After the sash has been put back in place then, you can apply a silicone caulk to the glass. This will ensure that it doesn't leak over time or discolor.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash where the glass is. If they're difficult to work out, try placing an instrument like a heat gun over them to soften them first. When using a heated tool, make sure to not damage the sash and its railings.

After the old glaze points and putty are removed, make a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope made of glazing compound between your fingers and make it about 1/2 inch thick. Press it into the rabbets, where the glass will be placed. It is crucial that the Glass Replacement For window sits on the putty on each side, so if you need to do so, gently tap the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane has cracked, you can use a silicone caulk or a glass glue based on solvents to fill in the crack before pressing it into the sash. In other cases, you'll need to apply putty over the crack to create an airtight seal and keep water out. After the putty has dried and the film is oily, wipe it off the glass using the help of a rag. Allow it to dry completely before painting. Paint after the putty has completely dried. It will not create a solid seal and may leak or discolor with time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a broken pane of glass. The truth is, replacing a single pane of glass doesn't have to be costly if you do it on your own. In fact, even a double-pane window can be replaced for only a fraction of the cost of an expert.

First, if you are working on a large window, make sure it is securely fastened to the frame. This job is relatively easy and fast with the right tools and techniques.

When you are ready to begin, remove the old window pane. Pry out the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. These are tiny metal triangles which act as "nails" that hold the window in place. They are buried under a bead of glazing putty, which is then cured to form a solid, formed wedge that secures the window replacements near me in place and conceals the window's points.

After removal of the old pane clean the frame and the wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used and sand down the rabbet grooves in which the glazing points were. Sand them down to clean wooden surfaces so you can paint the frames the same shade. After sanding the wood you can apply a layer flax oil. This will help prolong the life of the frame.

The next step is to determine the width of the window opening. You will 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 get the exact measurement for the new pane. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. Take these measurements to the hardware or home improvement store, and they will have 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.