How to Replace Window Pane Window Panes
A cracked window pane is a nuisance. It can also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows and benefit from more comfort, higher potential for resales, and less bills.
You can do it yourself for a less than what it would cost to hire an expert. You’ll only require the appropriate tools and a few hours of your time.
Glass
If your single-pane windows are old, deteriorating or broken replacing them with modern glass that is tempered or insulated will improve energy efficiency and reduce noise while also preserving the historic integrity of older homes. The replacement of a window pane is relatively easy and can be completed by most homeowners who possess basic hand tools. In addition to a replacement pane, the following tools are needed for the replacement process: latex glazing putty pliers, glazier’s points and the use of a heat gun to warm the old putty, if needed. Before beginning, wear protective gloves and goggles since working with broken glass can cause injuries.
Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. This can be done with pliers, though using a flathead screwdriver can also be used in a pinch. Then, use a wood chisel or putty knife to remove the remaining old putty from around the frame and sash. Be careful to not scratch the window sash. Work slowly and carefully. It is a good idea to do this on a stable ladder instead of the ground and to have someone standing below the sash to help keep it steady.
Prepare the window frame to accept the new pane after you have removed the old putty. Find the width and the height of the opening for the sash, subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). These measurements can be taken to an hardware or home centers store to get an item cut from stock glass to the right size. You can also cut the glass by yourself if you have the right tools.
After installing the new glass After installing the 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 shouldn’t be too tight that they create friction between the frame and the sash However, they should not be loose.
Before applying the putty, Replace window Pane make sure to knead it until it’s soft and free of lumps. Roll it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be placed in the corner of the frame, working from one corner to the other so that it is smooth and even.
Glazier’s Points
The glazier’s points are tiny triangular metal pieces that help secure the glass to the frame without causing damage to the delicate surface. It’s easy to learn how to use this secret tool, and you’ll save money on the expense of an installation by a professional.
After the old putty as well as the glazier’s point are gone, thoroughly clean the frame using a utility knife to remove any remaining residue. If needed, lightly sand the wood along grooves of the rabbets to smooth rough spots. If you sand wood protect it with painter’s tape to prevent accidental damage.
Note down the exact dimensions of the frame. Take these dimensions to a hardware store or home center, and have the new pane cut slightly smaller than the frame’s opening. This will ensure a tight fit and leave room for expansion and contraction.
Place the new pane in the frame and press it down using your hands. Utilize the point of the chisel, or the edge of the putty blade to tap the glazier’s points as shown in Figure 11. After you’re done, the points should be in line with the top edge of the pane, and the raised shoulders of the points should be below the rabbet’s lip. groove.
Apply a thin layer of glazing compound to the rabbet grooves as well as the edges of the glass. This will seal and protect the edges. Let it dry and cure fully.
When the glazing compound is dry, you’re ready to install the new window sash. First, coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will prevent the new putty from taking up the moisture and drying out and cracking over time. Apply the coat using a brush or the edge of your putty knife, and then use the chisel, or the back end of the knife to gently press the new sash and glazier’s points into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches around the frame.
Putty
A baseball that is thrown or an unintentional rock, or a falling branch can cause a window pane to break or crack. Most windows can be replaced easily by installing a new piece. The glass is held in position by a small metal clip, also known as a glazier’s point and putty. This compound is also referred to as glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area with an abrasive, scraper that is a pull type or a wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while doing this work. You’ll need a heat gun when the window is fixed into the frame.
If you’re planning to replace the original sash, take off the molding that supports the old pane. Sand the sash until it’s flat and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is installed then, you can apply a silicone caulk over the glass. This will ensure that it doesn’t be leaking or fade over time.
Remove the glazing points from the rabbets and the grooves in the sash that the glass is. If they’re hard to cut, place an instrument such as a heating gun over them to allow them to soften before. If you’re using a heated gun, make sure not to damage the railings of the sash or the sash itself by holding the tool too close.
Once the old points of glazing and putty are removed, make a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your fingers and make it around 1/2 inch thick. Then, press it into the rabbets where the glass will rest. 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 damaged, you can use a silicone caulk or glass glue made from solvents to seal the crack before pressing it into the sash. In other cases, you’ll need to putty over the crack to form a tight seal and keep water out. When the putty dries then clean the oily film off the glass with a rag 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 leak or discolor over time.
Paint
If you’ve suffered a break in a window handle replacement pane, then you may be concerned about the expense of a new one. The truth is, replacing a single pane glass doesn’t have to be expensive if you do it on your own. In fact windows with double glazed window replacement panes can be replaced at a fraction of the cost of an expert.
If you are working on a large window, make sure that it is securely fixed to the frame. This can be made relatively simple and quick with the proper tools and techniques.
When you are ready to begin taking down the old window pane. Remove the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. These are basically small metal triangles which function as “nails” which hold the window in place in the wood frame. They are placed under a bead or glazing putty that hardens to solid wedge which holds the wood frame firmly in position and conceals the edges.
After taking off the old pane clean the frame and the wood. Scrape away any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points used to be. Sand them down to clean wooden surfaces, allowing you to paint the frames the same color. After sanding the wood, apply a layer of flax oil. This will help to prolong the life of the frame.
Then, you need to measure the size of the window’s opening. You’ll need to take vertical and horizontal measurements of the entire opening, and also the thickness of the old pane. To determine the exact size of the new pane subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass in times of seasonal changes. Take these dimensions to the hardware or home improvement store and ask them to cut you 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.