How to Replace Window Panes

A cracked window sash replacement pane is an issue. It can also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows and benefit from more comfort, higher resale value and reduced utility costs.

You can do it yourself at only a fraction of the cost it would cost to employ an expert. You only need the right tools and a few hours of your time.

Glass

Replace your single-paned windows using tempered or insulated glass to increase the efficiency of your energy, reduce noise, and preserve the historical integrity of your old home. Most homeowners with basic hand tools can repair windows with ease. Alongside a replacement pane, the following tools are required such as latex glazing putty; glazier's points; pliers; and the use of a heat gun to warm the old putty if required. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to starting. Working with broken glass could result in serious injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. It is best to use pliers for this however a flathead could be used equally. Then, use a wood chisel, or putty knife, to remove the remaining old putty around the frame and sash. Be careful and slow and be careful not to damage the old window sash. It is recommended to do this on a sturdy ladder rather than the ground and to place someone on the sash to help keep it steady.

After you have removed all of the old putty, prepare the window Double Glazing replacement frame to accommodate 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 hardware or home center store to get an item cut from glass that is in stock to the correct size. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself if you have the appropriate tools.

After installing the new glass, apply some caulking on the edges. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then install a glazier's point on the frame's opposite side to hold the pane in the right place. The points should not be so tight that they create friction between the frame and sash window replacement but they shouldn't be loose.

Before applying the putty make sure to knead it until it's soft and free of lumps. Then, roll it into pencil-size strips. The first strip should be placed in the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to the next so that it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

The glazier’s points are small triangular metal pieces that help secure the glass into the window frame without damaging the delicate surface. It's easy to understand how to use this secret tool, and you'll be able to save money on the cost of an installation by a professional.

After removing the old putty, glazier points, and any other residue clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife. If necessary you can lightly sand the wood along grooves of the rabbet to smooth rough areas. If you do sand your wood, ensure you protect it by using painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

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

Place the new pane in the frame and push it in place with your hand. Then, use the tip of your chisel or the back end of the putty knife to make a tap on the glazier's points as shown in Figure 11. When you're done taping, they should be flush with the top edge of the pane and the raised shoulders of the points should be below the rabbet's rim groove.

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

When the glazing compound is dry it's time to put in the new window sash. First, coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will stop the new putty from soaking in the moisture and deteriorating and cracking over time. Apply this coat using a brush or the tip of your putty knife, and then use the chisel, or the back end from the putty knife to gently press the new sash and glazier's tips into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches around the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown or a rock thrown in error, or a tree falling can result in a cracked or cracked window pane. The majority of windows can be replaced easily by simply putting in a fresh piece. The glass is held in place with a small metal clip called a glazier's point and putty, often called glazing compound. Before you install a new pane, first take out the old one and clean up the area with the help of a rag, a pull-type paint scraper or a wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while working. You'll need a heating gun if the window replacement companies is glued into the frame.

If you are planning to replace the original sash, take off the mold that holds the old pane. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready to receive new caulk. Once the sash is installed, apply a new caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure that it won't leak or discolor over time.

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets, the grooves in the sash where the glass is. If they're hard to chisel, use the hand tool, like a heat gun over them to allow them to soften before. When using a heat tool, make sure to not damage the sash or its railings.

After the old glazing points and putty have been removed, prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope made of glazing compound between your fingers and then make it about 1/2 inch thick. Then, push it into the rabbets in which the glass will sit. 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 has cracked, you can apply a silicone caulk or glass glue based on solvents to seal the crack prior to pressing it into the sash. Otherwise, you'll need to apply putty on the crack to create an impervious seal to keep water out. After the putty is dry, clean the oily film off the glass with a rag and allow it to dry completely before painting. If you paint before the putty is completely dry, it won't create a strong seal and may be leaking or discoloring in time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a broken pane of glass. It's true that replacing a single pane of glass doesn't need to be expensive even if you do it your own. In fact, even a double glazed replacement windows-pane window can be replaced at only a fraction of the cost of a professional.

First, if you are working on a large-sized window, make sure that it is securely fastened to the frame. This job can be made relatively simple and fast using the appropriate tools and techniques.

When you are ready to start with the removal of the window pane. Remove the metal glazing points attached to it. These are essentially small metal triangles that function as "nails" which hold the window in place within the frame of wood. They are placed under a bead or glazing putty which hardens into an unbreakable wedge that holds the wood frame in place and hides the sharp edges.

After you have removed the old pane removed Clean up the frame and wood. Scrape off any old paint and sand the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were. They should be sanded to the point of being bare, so that you can paint them the same color as the rest of the frame. After the sanding process, apply a coat of flax oil on the wood's surface to prolong its life.

Then, you need to measure the width of the window's opening. You'll need to determine the vertical and horizontal 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. Take these dimensions to the hardware or home improvement store, and they will have a piece 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.