How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window can be a source of frustration. This can be an opportunity to upgrade to energy-efficient windows or insulated ones to enjoy benefits such as improved comfort, higher resale value and lower utility costs.

This is a project you could do yourself for less than the cost of hiring an expert. It requires the right tools and only an hour or two of your time.

Glass

Replace your old single-paned windows with tempered or insulate glass to improve energy efficiency, cut down on noise, and protect the original character of your old home. The process of replacing a window pane is relatively easy and can be accomplished by anyone with basic hand tools. You will also need an extra window pane, glazier's suggestions, pliers, and latex glazing putty. If you need to you can make use of a heat gun to warm the old putty. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to beginning. Working with broken glass could result in serious injuries.

Take away any broken glass pieces that remain. This is best done using pliers, though using flathead screwdrivers can be effective in the pinch. Make use of a wood chisel or putty knives, to take away any old putty remaining around the frame and window sash. Be careful and slow making sure not to break the current window sash. This can be done best on a ladder, not the ground. Also, ensure that someone lower to ensure it is held steady.

Make sure the window frame is ready to accommodate the new pane after you have removed the old putty. Measure the width and height of the opening for the sash by subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). These measurements can be sent to a home center or hardware store to have cut a piece of glass stock to the proper size. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself if have the right tools.

After putting the new pane in place After installing the new pane, apply a small amount 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 should not be so tight that they create friction between the frame and sash but they should not be too loose.

Before applying the putty make sure to knead it until it's soft and free of lumps. Cut it into pencil-sized pieces. Apply the first strip to the frame's corner. Work from one corner to another, making sure it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are tiny triangular pieces of steel that allow glass to be secured into the window frame without causing damage to the delicate surface. It's easy to understand how to use this nefarious tool, and you'll be able to save money on the expense of an installation by a professional.

After removing the old putty, glazier points and any residue, clean the frame thoroughly with an utility knife. If needed it is necessary to lightly sand the wood along grooves of the rabbets to smooth out rough spots. If you sand wood, cover it with painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Take measurements of the empty frame and note down precise measurements. Take these measurements to a hardware store or a 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 in the frame and push it in with your hands. Then use the point of your chisel, or the back of the putty knife to make a tap on the glazier's points as shown in Figure 11. After you're done, the points should be level with the top edge of the pane and the raised shoulders of the points should be just below the lip of the rabbet groove.

Apply a small amount of glazing compound over the edges of the new glass and into the rabbet grooves to seal and protect them. Allow it to dry completely and cure.

When the glazing compound is dry it's time to put in the new window sash replacement sash. First, coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will prevent the new putty from taking up the moisture and drying out and cracking over time. Use a brush to apply this coat, or the point of the blade. Then use the chisel on the back of the putty tool or the back of the putty handle to gently smash 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 hit or a rock thrown in error, or a fallen tree could result in a broken or cracked window pane. Most windows can be replaced by installing a new piece. The glass is held in place by tiny metal clips known as a glazier's point and putty, also called glazing compound. Before installing a new pane, first take out the old one and clean the area with a rag and a pull-type paint scraper or a wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while working. If the window is attached to the frame, you'll need to use a heat gun to soften the adhesive before taking it off.

If you're planning to install your original sash, you must remove the mold that holds the old pane. Then, sand the sash to make sure it's flat and ready for a new caulk. After the sash has been put back in place it is possible to apply a silicone caulk over the glass. This will ensure that it won't be leaking or fade over time.

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets, or the grooves in the sash, where the glass sits. If they're hard to cut, place a hand tool such as a heating gun over them to soften first. When using a heat tool, be sure to avoid damaging the sash and its railings.

Prepare a bed for your new pane after you have removed the old putty and glazing points. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, forming it to be about 1/2-inch thick. Press it into the rabbets where the glass will be placed. It's important that the glass sits on the putty on both sides If you have to do so, gently tap the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane is damaged, you can use the silicone caulk or glass glue that is based on solvents to cover the crack before pressing it into the sash. If not, you'll have to apply putty over the crack to create a tight seal and keep water out. Once the putty is dry, wipe the oily film off of the glass and allow it to dry completely before you paint. Paint before the putty is completely dry. It won't create a solid seal and could be leaking or www.Repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk discoloring over time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a broken pane of glass. It's true that replacing a single piece of glass doesn't need to be costly even if you do it your own. In fact windows with double panes can be replaced at a fraction of the cost of an expert.

If you're working with large glass windows first ensure it is securely fixed to the frame. This task is relatively easy and quick with the appropriate tools and techniques.

When you're ready to start taking off the old window pane by prying out the metal glazing points that are attached to it. These are tiny triangles of metal that act as "nails" that hold the window within the frame. They are submerged beneath a bead or glazing glue that hardens to a solid wedge which holds the wood frame firmly in position and conceals the edges.

Once you have the old pane taken away Clean up the frame and wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used and gwwa.yodev.net sand the rabbet grooves that the glazing points were placed. These should be sanded to the point of being bare, so that you can paint them the same shade as the rest of the frame. After sanding the wood, apply a layer of flax oil. This will help to extend its life.

The next step is to determine the size of the window's opening. It is necessary to measure the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the entire opening, as well as the thickness. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure that you have the exact size for the new pane. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass during seasonal change. Take these dimensions to your local hardware or home improvement store and 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.