How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane can be an issue. This can be an opportunity to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones to enjoy benefits like increased comfort, increased resale value and reduced utility bills.

You can do it yourself for only a fraction of the cost it would cost to hire an expert. It requires the right equipment and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

Replace your old single-paned windows with tempered insulated glass to increase energy efficiency, reduce noise, and protect the historic integrity of your home's older. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can repair the window pane. You will also need a replacement window pane, glazier's tips, pliers, and latex glaze putty. If needed you can use a heating gun to warm the old putty. Wear safety glasses and gloves prior to starting. Working with broken glass could result in serious injuries.

Take out any broken glass pieces that remain. This is best accomplished with a pair of pliers, however, a flathead screwdriver may be effective in the pinch. Utilize a wood chisel or putty knives, to take away any old putty remaining around the frame and window sash. Be careful to not scratch the window sash. Take your time and work slowly. This is best done on an elevated ladder, not on the ground. Also, have someone below the sash hold it steady.

Once you have removed all the old putty, prepare the window frame for the new pane. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction by subtracting 1/8 inch from the measurements of width and height. These measurements can be taken to a home center or hardware store to get cut a piece of stock glass to the right size. You can cut the glass yourself if you possess the right tools.

After installing the new glass After installing the glass, apply caulking around the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then, place a glazier's tip on the frame's opposite side to hold the pane in its place. The points shouldn't be so tight as to cause friction between the frame and sash however they should not be too loose.

Before applying the putty knead it thoroughly until it is smooth and free of lumps. Make it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip to the corner of the frame. Work from corner to corner to ensure it's even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

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

After removing the old putty, glazier points, and any other residue, clean the frame thoroughly with an utility knife. If needed, lightly sand the wood along the grooves of the rabbets to smooth out rough areas. If you sand wood cover it with painter's tape to protect it from damage caused by accidental sanding.

Note down the dimensions of the frame. Take these dimensions to a hardware store or home center and request that the new pane made slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a secure fit, and allow for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane in the frame and press it into the frame by using your hands. Utilize the chisel's point, or the back of the putty knife to tap in the glazier's points as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's points should be flush against the top edge of your pane, and the shoulders raised should be just below the lip.

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

When the glazing compound is dry it's time to put in the new window sash. The first step is to coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will keep 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 putty blade. Then, use the chisel on the back of the tool or the back of the handle to gently hit the new sash, or glazier's point into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown at you, an errant rock or a fallen branch can cause a window to crack or break. Luckily, most windows can be repaired by simply putting a new piece of glass in its place. The glass is held in place with small clips made of metal called a glazier's point, and putty, often called glazing compound. Before installing a replacement pane, first remove the old one and clean up the area using a rag and the pull-type paint scraper or a wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves while working. You'll require a heat gun in the event that the window is glued to the frame.

If you are planning to replace the original sash, take off the molding that holds the old pane. Then you can sand the sash down to ensure it's level and ready for new caulk. After the sash has been re-installed, apply a new silicone caulk to the glass to ensure that it won't leak or discolor as time passes.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets and the grooves in the sash that the glass is. If they are hard to chisel, hold a hand tool such as a heating gun over them to allow them to soften before. When using a heating tool, make sure to not damage the sash's railings and sash.

Once the old glaze points and putty have been removed make a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope with glazing compound between your fingers, and make it about 1/2 inch thick. Then, push it into the rabbets in which the glass will be. The glass must be positioned against the putty on both sides. If necessary, lightly tap your glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can cover it with a solvent-based glass glue or silicone caulk prior pressing it into the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you will need to use putty to keep water from getting in. After the putty is dry, clean the oily film off the glass using an abrasive and allow it to dry completely before painting. Paint before the putty is completely dry. It won't form a good seal and may be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

If you've suffered a break in a window pane, you might be worried about the cost of a new one. It's true that replacing a single piece of glass doesn't have to be expensive when you do it on your own. Even a double glazed windows replacement-paned window can be replaced at a fraction of the cost it will cost for a professional.

First, if you're working on a large window, make sure that it is securely attached to the frame. This task is relatively easy and fast with the appropriate tools and techniques.

When you are ready to start taking down the old window glass replacement near me pane. Take out the metal glazing points attached to it. These are small metal triangles that act as "nails" to hold the window in place. They are buried beneath a glaze putty or bead that sets to form an unbreakable wedge that holds the frame firmly in position and hides the points.

Once you have the old pane removed, clean up the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape off any old paint and sand the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were placed. These should be sanded to bare wood, so that you can paint them the same color as the rest the frame. After sanding the wood, glaze apply a layer of flax oil. This will help to extend its life.

Then, take measurements of the dimensions of the window opening. You'll need to determine the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the entire opening, as well as the thickness. To determine the exact size of the new pane subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements. 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.