How to Replace Window Panes

A cracked window pane is an inconvenience. This could be an opportunity to upgrade to energy-efficient windows or insulated ones and enjoy benefits like increased comfort, increased resale values and reduced utility costs.

You can do it yourself for a a fraction of what it would cost to hire an expert. You'll need only the proper tools and a few minutes of your time.

Glass

Replace your old single-paned windows with tempered or insulate glass to improve energy efficiency, cut down on noise, and preserve the historic integrity of your home's older. The procedure of replacing the window pane is easy and can be completed by homeowners with basic hand tools. In addition to a replacement windows pane, the following items are required such as latex glazing putty; pliers, glazier's points and the use of a heat gun to warm the old putty, if necessary. Wear safety glasses and gloves prior to beginning. Working with broken glass can cause serious injuries.

Take away any broken glass pieces that remain. It is best to use pliers for this, but a flathead can be used as well. Use 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 damage the window sash. Take your time and Sash work slowly. It is best to work using a sturdy ladder instead of the ground, and to have someone stand below the sash in order to help hold it in place.

Make sure that the window frame is ready to accommodate the new pane after you have removed the old putty. Find the width and the height of the opening for the sash and subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). Bring these measurements to an hardware store or home center, and get a piece of stock glass cut to size. You can also cut the glass by yourself if you have the right tools.

After putting in the new pane after installing the new pane, put a tiny amount of caulking along the edge to ensure it is weatherproof. Then, you can install a glazier's pointing on the frame's opposite side to secure the pane in place. The points shouldn't be so tight that they cause friction between the frame and sash However, they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty, work it in a gentle manner until it is smooth and free of lumps. Then you can roll it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be placed to the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to the other to ensure 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 scratching or damaging the fragile surface. Understanding how to use these hidden tiny pieces of help is simple and can save you money on a professional installation or the cost of purchasing new glass.

After getting rid of the old putty glazier points, and any other leftovers, clean the frame thoroughly with an utility knife. If necessary, lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves to smooth out rough areas. If you sand wood protect it with painter’s tape to protect it from damage caused by accidental sanding.

Measure the empty frame's dimensions and write down accurate measurements. These measurements can be brought to a home center or hardware store and the new pane will be cut a bit smaller. This will ensure that the pane fits snugly and allows for expansion and contraction.

Insert the new pane into the frame and press it down with your hands. Then use the point of your chisel or back end of the putty knife to tap in the glazier's facets, as illustrated in Figure 11. When you're done, they should be in line with the top edge of the pane, and the shoulders of the points should be below the rabbet's lip. groove.

Apply a thin layer glazing compound to the rabbet grooves as well as the edges of the glass. This will seal and protect the edges. Allow this to dry and cure fully.

After the glazing compound dries, you're ready to install the new window sash. The first step is to coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will prevent the newly-created putty from drying out or cracking when it absorbs moisture. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or even the tip of the putty 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 the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.

Putty

A hurled baseball, an errant rock or falling branch could cause a window to break or crack. Most windows can be replaced easily by installing a new piece. The glass is held into position by a small metal clip, also known as a glazier's point and putty. This compound is also called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area using an abrasive, scraper that is a pull type or a wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves when working. If the window is secured to the frame, you'll need to employ a heat gun in order to soften the adhesive before prying it free.

If you are planning to install your original sash, you must remove the molding that supports the old pane. Then you can sand the sash down to ensure it's level and ready for a new caulk. After the sash has been re-installed, apply a new silicone caulk to the glass to ensure that it will not leak or change color as time passes.

Remove the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash where the glass is. If they are hard to chisel, hold an instrument like a heat gun over them to allow them to soften before. If you're using a heated gun, be cautious not to cause damage to the railings or sash by using the tool too close.

After the old glaze points and putty have been removed prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, and form it to be about 1/2-inch thick. Then, press it into the rabbets where the glass will sit. The glass must be positioned against the putty on both sides. If necessary gently tap your glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has cracked, you can apply the silicone caulk or glass glue made from solvents to fill in the crack before pressing it in the sash. If not, you'll have to putty over the crack to create an impervious seal to keep water out. After the putty has dried, clean the oily film off the glass using a rag and allow it to completely dry before painting. If you paint before the putty has completely dry, it won't create a strong seal and may discolor or leak over time.

Paint

If you've had a broken window pane, you might be worried about the cost of a new one. The truth is, replacing a single pane of glass doesn't have to be expensive when you do it on your own. Even a double-paned window could be replaced at a fraction of the cost it would cost an expert.

If you are working with large glass windows first, ensure that it is securely attached to the frame. This job can be done relatively easy and fast with the appropriate tools and techniques.

When you are ready to begin with the removal of the window pane. Take out the metal glazing points attached to it. These are essentially small metal triangles that act as "nails" that hold the window in within the frame of wood. They are submerged under a bead of glazing putty, which transforms into a solid molded wedge that holds the window firmly in place and conceals the edges.

After removing the old pane, clean the frame and the wood. Scrape away any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves, where the glazing points were. These should be sanded to bare wood, to allow you to paint them the same color as the rest of the frame. After sanding the wood, apply a layer of flax oil. This will help prolong the life of the frame.

Next, measure the dimensions of the window's opening. You'll need to take vertical and horizontal measurements of the entire opening, as well as the thickness of the old pane. 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 in times of seasonal change. You can bring these measurements to a hardware store or home improvement shop and have 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.