How to
Replace window pane Window Panes
A cracked window pane can cause a lot of trouble. It could be a chance to upgrade to energy-efficient windows or insulated ones to enjoy benefits like increased comfort, increased resale value and reduced utility costs.
It's a project you can take on yourself for less than the cost of hiring a professional. You only need the right tools and a few hours of your time.
Glass
Replace your old single-paned windows using tempered or insulate glass to improve energy efficiency, cut down on noise, and protect the historical integrity of your older home. The procedure of replacing the window pane is simple and can be done by homeowners with basic hand tools. You will also need an extra window pane, glazier's tips pliers, and latex glaze putty. If necessary you may use a heating gun to warm the old putty. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to starting. Working with broken glass could cause serious injuries.
Remove any broken glass pieces that remain. This is best accomplished with pliers, but flathead screwdrivers can be used in the pinch. After that, use a wood chisel or putty knife take the remainder of the old putty from around the frame and the sash. Be careful and slow and be careful not to break the current window sash. This is best done on an elevated ladder, not on the ground. Also, have someone lower to ensure it is held steady.
After you've removed all the old putty, you can prepare the window frame for 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 an hardware store or home center and get a piece of stock glass cut to size. You can cut the glass yourself if you possess the right tools.
After putting in the new glass After installing the glass, apply a small amount of caulking to the edge. 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 shouldn't be too tight that they create friction between the sash and the frame but they shouldn't be loose.
Before applying the putty to the surface, knead thoroughly until it is soft and free from lumps. Then make it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip to the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to the other so that it is smooth and even.
Glazier's Points
The glazier's points are the tiny triangular pieces of steel that help secure glass into the frame of a window without damaging or scratching the delicate surface. Knowing how to use these hidden tiny helpers is simple and can save you money on professional installation or the cost of purchasing new glass.
After taking off the old putty, glazier points, and any other remnants, clean the frame thoroughly with an utility knife. If necessary, lightly sand the wood along the grooves of the rabbets to smooth rough spots. If you do sand the wood, make sure to protect it with painter's tack to avoid accidental damage.
Take the dimensions of the frame and record precise measurements. These measurements can be brought to a home center or hardware store and the new pane will be cut slightly smaller. This will ensure a snug fit and leave room for expansion and contraction.
Place the new window in the frame and press it in place using your hand. Use the point of the chisel, or the back of the putty blade to smudge the glazier's points as shown in Figure 11. The glazier's points should sit flush against the top edge of your pane and the shoulders should be just beneath that lip.
Apply a thin layer glazing compound to the rabbet grooves and edges of the glass. This will seal and
Replace Window Pane protect the edges. Allow this to dry and cure fully.
After the glazing compound dries and the glazing compound is dry, you can install the new window sash. The first step is to coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will stop the new putty from sucking up moisture and deteriorating and cracking over time. Use a brush to apply this coat, or the tip of the putty blade. Then use the chisel that is on the back of the putty tool or the back of the handle to gently smash the new sash or glazier's point into rabbet grooves. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches around the frame.
Putty
A baseball hit or a rock thrown by error, or a tree falling could result in a broken or cracked window. Fortunately, the majority of windows can be easily replaced by simply placing a new piece in the right place. The glass is held in place by a small metal clip, called the glazier's point, and putty. This compound is also known as glazing compound. Before installing a new pane, first take out the old one and clean the area using an abrasive and the pull-type paint scraper or an abrasive wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves when you work. You'll need a heat gun when the window is fixed to the frame.
If you are planning to replace the original sash in the future, take care to remove the molding pieces that are used to secure the old pane. Then, sand the sash to ensure it's smooth and ready to be re-caulked. Once the sash is installed then, apply a new caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure that it doesn't swell or fade as time passes.
Remove the glazing points from the rabbets, or the grooves in the sash where the glass is. If they're difficult to work out, you can try holding an instrument like a heat gun to soften them first. If you're using a heated gun, be cautious not to cause damage to the railings or sash by holding the tool too close.
After the old glazing 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. Then,
Replace Window Pane press it into the rabbets where the glass will be. It's important that the glass sits on the putty in all places on both sides So if you have to tap it, gently press the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.
If the new pane has a crack then you can seal it with a solvent-based glass glue or silicone caulk prior to pressing it into the sash. In other cases, you'll need to putty over the crack to create an airtight seal and keep water out. After the putty has dried, wipe the oily film from the glass and allow it to dry completely before you paint. If you paint before the putty has 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 piece of glass. In reality, replacing a single pane glass doesn't need to be costly if you do it on your own. Even a
double glazed window replacement-paned window could be replaced for a fraction of what it would cost a professional.
If you are working on a large window, ensure that it is securely fastened to the frame. This can be made relatively simple and quick with the appropriate tools and techniques.
When you are ready to begin taking down the old window pane. Pry out the metal glazing points that are attached to it. These are tiny triangles of metal which act as "nails" to hold the window in place. They are placed under a bead or glazing putty which hardens into an unbreakable wedge that holds the frame in place and conceals the edges.
After taking off the old pane clean the frame and the wood. Scrape off any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were. Sand them down to bare wooden surfaces so you can paint the frames the same shade. After the sanding process, apply a coat of flax oil to the wood's surface to prolong its life.
Next, measure the size of the window's opening. You will need to take vertical and horizontal measurements of the entire opening as well as the thickness of the old pane. To get the exact size of the new pane subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements.
