How to Replace Window Panes
A damaged window pane can be an issue. This could be an opportunity to upgrade to energy-efficient windows or insulated ones and enjoy benefits such as improved comfort, increased resale value and reduced utility costs.
This is a project you could take on yourself for a fraction of the cost of hiring a professional. You'll only require the right tools and a few hours of your time.
Glass
Replace your single-paned windows with tempered insulation glass to improve the efficiency of your energy, reduce noise, and preserve the original character of your older home. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can replace windows with ease. Alongside a
replacement sash windows pane, the following items are required such as latex glazing putty; pliers, glazier's points and a heat gun for warming the old putty, if necessary. Wear safety glasses and gloves before you begin. Working with broken glass can cause serious injuries.
Remove any broken glass pieces remaining. It is recommended to use pliers for this however, a flathead may be useful equally. Use a wood chisel, or putty knife to get rid of any old putty remaining around the frame and the window sash. Take your time and work slowly, taking care not to damage the old window sash. This is best done on a ladder, not the ground. Also, have someone lower to ensure it is held steady.
Make sure that the window frame is ready to accommodate the new pane after you have removed the old glue. Measure the width and height of the opening for the sash and subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). These measurements can be taken to a home center or hardware store to have a piece cut of stock glass to the right size. You can cut the
replacement glass for windows yourself if you possess the right tools.
After installing the new pane after installing the new pane, put a tiny amount of caulking around the edge to make it weatherproof. Install a glazier's pointing on both sides of the frame. This will secure the pane. The points should not be so tight that they cause friction between the frame and sash however they shouldn't be loose.
Before applying the putty, work it in a gentle manner until it's soft and free of lumps. Then, roll it into pencil-size strips. Apply the first strip 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 small triangular metal pieces that help secure the glass into the window frame without causing any damage to the fragile surface. Learning how to use these tiny helpers is simple and could save you money on professional installation or the cost of purchasing new glass.
Once the old putty and glazier's points are removed, thoroughly clean the frame using a utility knife to eliminate any remaining traces. Lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves to smooth rough areas. If you do sand your wood, ensure you protect it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.
Take measurements of the empty frame and note down precise measurements. These measurements can be brought to the hardware or home center store, and the new pane will be cut a bit smaller. This will ensure that the pane fits perfectly and allows for expansion and contraction.
Insert the new pane into the frame and push firmly with your hands. Then, use the tip of your chisel or the back of the putty knife to tap in the glazier's points, as illustrated in Figure 11. When you're done taping, they should be level with the top edge of the pane. the raised shoulders of the points should be below the rabbet's rim groove.
Apply a thin layer of glazing compound to the rabbet grooves and edges of the glass. This will protect and seal the edges. Let it dry and cure fully.
Once the glazing compound has dried 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 sucking up moisture and drying out and cracking with time. Use a brush to apply this coat, or the point of the blade. Then use the chisel that is on the back of the putty tool or the back of the putty handle to gently hit the new sash, or glazier's tip into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.
Putty
A baseball thrown or a rock thrown by error, or a fallen tree can result in a cracked or cracked window pane. Fortunately, windows can be replaced by simply putting a brand new piece of glass in its the proper place. The glass is held in place using a small metal clip called a glazier's point and putty, which is often called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area with a rag, a pull-type scraper or wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves when working. You'll need a heat gun if the window is glued to the frame.
If you are planning to replace the original sash, gently remove any molding pieces that secure the old pane. Sand the sash until it is flat and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is
installed then, you can apply a silicone caulk on the glass. This will ensure that it doesn't get soiled or discolor over time.
Remove the glazing points from the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash where the glass is. If they're hard to chisel, use the hand tool, such as a heating gun over them for a few minutes to soften them. When using a heat tool, make sure to not scratch the sash and its railings.
After the old glaze points and putty are removed, make a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your hands, forming it to be around 1/2-inch thick. Press it into the rabbets, where the glass will be put. The glass must rest against the putty on both sides. If necessary you want to tap your glass lightly into the rabbet using your thumb.
If the new pane is cracked, 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 the crack is not sealed, you will need to apply putty to keep water out. After the putty is dry, clean the oily film off the glass using a rag and allow it to completely dry before painting. Paint before the putty is completely dry. It will not create a solid seal and may discolor or leak over time.
Paint
You may be concerned about replacing a damaged piece of glass. It's true that replacing a single pane 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 only a fraction of the cost of a professional.
If you are working with a large glass window first, ensure that it is securely fixed to the frame. Using the proper tools and techniques you can make this task relatively easy and fast.
When you're ready to start with the removal of the old window by prying out the metal glazing points that are attached to it. These are tiny metal triangles which act as "nails", holding the window in place. They are placed under a bead or glazing glue which hardens into an unbreakable wedge which holds the wood frame securely in place and conceals the edges.
Once you have the old pane removed,
Installed clean up the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape off any old paint, and sand the rabbet grooves that the glazing points were placed. Sand them down to bare wooden surfaces, allowing you to paint the frames the same color. After sanding, apply a coat of flax oil to the wood's surface to help extend its lifespan.
Then, take measurements of the dimensions of the window opening. You will need to take vertical and horizontal measurements of the entire opening and also the thickness of the old pane. 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.