How to Replace Window Panes
A damaged or cracked window can be a source of frustration. It could also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows, and enjoy benefits such as more comfort, higher the value of resales and lower utility bills.
It’s a project you can take on yourself for a fraction of the cost of hiring a professional. It requires the right equipment and an hour or two of your time.
Glass
If your single pane windows are old damaged, cracked or deteriorating replacing them with modern insulated or tempered glass can increase energy efficiency and reduce noise while maintaining the historical integrity of older homes. Most homeowners with basic hand tools can replace windows with ease. You will also need an extra window pane, glazier’s tips pliers, and latex glazing putty. If necessary, you can make use of a heat gun to warm the old putty. Before starting, wear gloves and safety goggles as working with broken glass could cause injuries.
Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. This can be done with the help of pliers however, a flathead screwdriver may be used in a pinch. Make use of a wood chisel or putty knives, to take away any old putty that remains around the frame and the window sash. Be careful not to break the window sash. Be careful and slow. This should be done on a ladder, not on the ground. Also, have someone on the ground to ensure it is held steady.
Once you have removed all the old putty, it is time to prepare the window frame to accommodate the new pane. Take measurements of the width and height of the sash opening, subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). These measurements can be taken to a hardware or home center store to have cut a piece of glass that is in stock to the correct size. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself if have the right tools.
After installing the new pane After installing the new pane, apply a small amount of caulking along the edge to make it weatherproof. Install a glazier’s pointing on both sides of the frame. This will ensure the pane. The points shouldn’t be tight enough to cause friction between the frame and sash However, they should not be loose.
Before applying the putty on the surface, knead thoroughly until it is soft and free of lumps. Then 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 tiny triangular pieces of metal that help secure the glass into the window frame without causing any damage to the fragile surface. Understanding how to use these hidden tiny helpers is simple and could save you money on professional installation or the cost of new glass.
After getting rid of the old putty glazier points as well as any remaining leftovers clean the frame thoroughly using an utility knife. If necessary you can lightly sand the wood along rabbet grooves to smooth rough areas. If you sand wood protect it with painter’s tape to protect it from damage caused by accidental sanding.
Note down the exact dimensions of the frame. These measurements can be taken to a home center or hardware store, and the new pane will be cut slightly smaller. This will ensure that the pane fits comfortably and allows for expansion and contraction.
Place the new window in the frame and push it in place with your hand. Use the chisel’s point, or the back of the putty knife to tap in the glazier’s points, as shown in Figure 11. The glazier’s points should be aligned with the top edge of the pane and the shoulders should be just below that lip.
Apply a small amount of glazing compound on the edges of the glass that has been made and into the rabbet grooves to seal and protect them. Let it dry and cure fully.
When the glazing compound is dry it’s time to put in the new window sash. First, coat the wood with a thick coat of linseed oil. This will keep the new putty from taking up moisture and drying out and cracking over time. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or the tip of the blade. Then use the chisel that is on the back of the tool or the back of the handle to gently hit the new sash, or glazier’s point into grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches around the perimeter of the frame.
Putty
A baseball that is thrown, an errant rock or a fallen branch can cause a window pane to crack or break. Fortunately, the majority of windows can be repaired by simply putting a brand new piece in place. The glass is held in place using a small metal clip called the glazier’s pointed and putty, often called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area using a rag, a pull-type scraper, or a wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves when you work. You’ll need a heating gun if the window is glued into the frame.
If you are planning to replace Window Pane the original sash, gently remove any molding pieces that secure the old pane. Sand the sash until it’s flat and ready for new caulk. After the sash has been installed then, you can apply a silicone caulk over the glass. This will ensure that it won’t be leaking or fade over time.
Take out the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash, where the glass is located. If they are hard to chisel, use an instrument such as a heating gun over them for a few minutes to soften them. If you’re using a heat gun, be cautious not to damage the railings of the sash or the sash itself by using the tool too closely.
Create a bed for your new pane after removing the old glaze and putty. Roll a rope with glazing compound between your fingers, and make it about 1/2 inch thick. Then, push it into the rabbets where the glass will sit. It is essential that the glass sits on the putty in all places on both sides If you have to tap it, gently press the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.
If the new pane has cracked, you can use a silicone caulk or glass glue that is based on solvents to fill in the crack before pressing it in the sash. If the crack isn’t sealed, you will need to apply putty to keep water from getting in. After the putty is dry then clean the oily film off the glass using an abrasive and allow it to completely dry before painting. If you paint before the putty is fully dry, it will not form an effective seal and could be leaking or discoloring in time.
Paint
If you’ve suffered a break in a window pane, you may be concerned about the expense of replacing it. However, replacing one glass pane does not need to cost a fortune when you do it yourself. In fact even windows with double panes can be replaced at only a fraction of the cost of an expert.
If you are working with a large glass window first ensure it is securely attached to the frame. By using the correct tools and techniques, you can complete this task easily and quick.
When you are ready to begin taking down the old window pane. Take out the metal glazing points that are attached to it. These are small metal triangles that function as “nails”, holding the window handles replacement in place. They are buried beneath a bead or glazing glue that sets to form a solid wedge that holds the wood frame firmly in position and hides the points.
After taking off the old pane clean the frame and wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used and sand the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were placed. These should be sanded down to bare wood, 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 prolong the life of the frame.
Next, measure the dimensions of the window opening. It is necessary to take horizontal and vertical measurements of the entire opening and also the thickness of the old pane. To determine the exact dimensions of the new pane subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements. This will also allow for Replace window Pane expansion and contraction of the glass in times of seasonal changes. You can take these measurements to a hardware or home improvement shop and get 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.