How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane can be an issue. This could be an opportunity to upgrade your windows seal replacement to energy efficient or insulated ones and enjoy benefits such as improved comfort, higher resale value and lower utility costs.

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

Glass

Replace your single-paned windows using tempered or insulate glass to improve the efficiency of your energy, reduce noise, and protect the historical integrity of your home's older. The process of replacing the window pane is simple and can be done by most homeowners who possess basic hand tools. In addition to a new pane, the following items are needed such as latex glazing putty; glazier's points; pliers; and a heat gun for warming the old putty if required. Before starting, wear gloves and safety glasses as working with broken glass can cause injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken window replacement pieces of glass. This can be done with a pair of pliers, however, flathead screwdrivers can be used in the pinch. Then, use a wooden chisel or putty knife remove the remaining old putty from the frame and the sash. Be careful not to break the window sash. Work slowly and carefully. It is best to work using a sturdy ladder rather than the ground, and to place someone on the sash to help hold it in place.

After you have removed all the old putty, you can prepare the window frame to fit the new pane. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction by subtracting 1/8 inch from the measurements of the width and height. Bring these measurements to the nearest hardware store or home center and find a piece glass cut to size. You can cut the glass yourself if you have the right tools.

After installing the new glass, apply some caulking on the edges. This will make the glass weatherproof. Install a glazier's point on both sides of the frame. This will ensure the pane. The points shouldn't be tight enough to create friction between the frame and sash However, they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty on the surface, knead thoroughly until it becomes soft and free from lumps. Make it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be glued 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 that help secure the glass into the window sash replacement frame without damaging the delicate surface. Learning how to use these tiny pieces of help is simple and could save you money on a professional installation or the cost of purchasing new glass.

Once the old putty and the glazier's points have been removed, thoroughly clean the frame with a utility knife to get rid of any remaining traces. Lightly sand the frame in the rabbet grooves, if necessary, to smooth rough areas. If you sand wood protect it with painter's tape to protect it from damage caused by accidental sanding.

Take measurements of the empty frame and write down accurate measurements. Bring these measurements to an hardware store or home center and have the new pane made slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure that the pane fits snugly and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and press it down using your hands. Use the chisel's point, or the edge of the putty blade to smudge the glazier's points, as illustrated in Figure 11. When you're done, they should be level with the top edge of the pane and the shoulders that are raised of the points should be below the rabbet's lip. groove.

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 this to dry and cure completely.

Once the glazing compound has dried and the glazing compound is dry, you can install the new window sash. First, coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will stop the new putty from drying out or cracking when it absorbs moisture. Apply the coat using a brush or the edge of your putty knife, then use the chisel, or the back end of the putty knife to gently press the new sash and glazier's points into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process every 10 inches around the frame's perimeter.

Putty

A baseball thrown, a rock thrown in error or a branch falling can cause a broken or cracked window pane. Most windows can be replaced easily by putting in a new piece. The glass is held in place with small clips made of metal called a glazier's point, and putty, also called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area with a rag, a scraper that is a pull type or a wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while doing this work. If the window is attached to the frame, you'll have to employ a heat gun in order to soften the adhesive prior to cutting it loose.

If you're planning to install the original sash, remove the molding pieces that are used to secure the old pane. Sand the sash until it is flat and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is re-installed then, apply a new caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure that it doesn't swell or fade in time.

Take out the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash, which is where the glass is. If they're hard to chisel, use a hand tool like a heat gun over them to allow them to soften before. If you're using a heat gun, be cautious not to scratch the railings of the sash or the sash itself by using the tool too close.

Once the old glaze points and putty have been removed, make a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your hands, and form it to be around 1/2-inch thick. Then, press it into the rabbets, where the glass will sit. It's important that the glass rests against the putty in all places on both sides So if you have to, lightly tap the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has cracked, you can use a silicone caulk or glass glue based on solvents to cover the crack prior to pressing it in the sash. Otherwise, you'll need to apply putty on the crack to create a tight seal and keep water out. After the putty has dried clean the oily film off the glass and allow it to dry completely before you paint. Paint before the putty has dried completely. It won't create a solid seal and may leak or discolor with time.

Paint

If you've suffered a break in a window pane, then you may be worried about the cost of replacing it. However, replacing one glass pane does not need to cost a fortune when you do it yourself. Even double-paned windows can be replaced for a fraction of what it will cost for a professional.

If you're working with a large glass window first ensure it is securely attached to the frame. This job is relatively easy and fast with the right tools and techniques.

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 small metal triangles that function as "nails" that hold the upvc window lock replacement - Check This Out - in the frame. They are placed under a bead or glazing putty that hardens to solid wedge which holds the wood frame securely in place and conceals the edges.

After taking off the old pane clean the frame and the wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were placed. They should be sanded to bare wood so that you can paint them the same color as the rest the frame. After sanding the wood you can apply a layer flax oil. This will help to prolong the life of the frame.

The next step is to measure the dimensions of the window 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. Take these measurements to the 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.