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How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane could be a source of frustration. This can be an opportunity to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones to enjoy benefits such as improved comfort, increased resale value and reduced utility bills.

It's a project you can take on yourself for less than the cost of hiring an expert. You'll need only the right tools and a few hours of your time.

Glass

If your single-pane windows are old damaged, cracked or deteriorating replacing them with more modern insulated or tempered glass can increase energy efficiency and reduce noise while preserving the historic integrity of older homes. The replacement Windows panes of the window pane is simple and can be done by homeowners with basic hand tools. You will also require a replacement double glazing window window pane, glazier's suggestions, pliers, and latex glazing putty. If you need to you can use a heatgun to warm the old putty. Wear safety goggles and gloves before you begin. Working with broken glass can cause serious injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. This can be done with pliers, but flathead screwdrivers can be effective in the pinch. Utilize a wood chisel or putty knives, to take away any remaining old putty around the frame and the window sash. Be careful to not scratch the window sash. Take your time and work slowly. This should be done on an elevated ladder, not on the ground. Also, have someone lower to hold it steady.

Make sure that the window frame is ready to accept the new pane when you have removed the old putty. Take measurements of the width and height of the opening in the sash and subtract 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 glass that is in stock to the correct size. You can cut the glass yourself if you possess the appropriate tools.

After installing the new glass After installing the glass, apply caulking on the edges. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then install a glazier's point on each side of the frame to secure the pane in the right place. The points should not be so tight that they cause friction between the frame and sash, but they should also not be loose.

Before applying the putty to the surface, you must knead it thoroughly until it is soft and free of lumps. Then, roll it into pencil-size strips. Apply the first strip to the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to another so that it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are tiny triangular pieces of steel that help secure glass into frames for windows seal replacement without scratching or damaging the delicate surface. Understanding how to use these little helpers is easy and can save you money on professional installation or the cost of purchasing new glass.

After the old putty and the glazier's points have been removed and the frame is thoroughly cleaned with a knife to remove any remaining traces. Lightly sand the wood into the rabbet grooves if needed to smooth out rough areas. If you do sand your wood, be sure to protect it with painter's tack to avoid accidental damage.

Write 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 to a smaller size. This will ensure that the pane fits perfectly and allows for expansion and contraction.

Insert the new pane into the frame and push it in using your hands. Utilize the chisel's point, or the edge of the putty blade to smudge the glazier's points, as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's points should sit in line with the top edge of your pane, and the shoulders should be just beneath that lip.

Apply a thin layer of glazing compound on the rabbet grooves and the edges of new glass. This will protect and seal the edges. Allow it to dry completely and cure.

Install the new window sash when the glazing compound has dried. The first step is to coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will prevent the new putty from sucking up moisture and drying out and cracking over time. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or even the tip of the blade. Then use the chisel that is on the back of the putty tool or the back of the handle to gently hit the new sash, or glazier's point into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown, a rock thrown in error, or a fallen tree can cause a broken or cracked window pane. Fortunately, the majority of windows can be easily replaced by simply putting a new piece of glass in its the right 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 using the rag, a scraper that is a pull type or a wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while working. If the window is glued to the frame, you'll need to use a heat gun to soften the adhesive before prying it free.

If you're planning to replace your original sash, remove the mold that holds the old pane. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready for new caulk. After the sash has been re-installed then, apply a new caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure that it will not leak or change color in time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets, the grooves in the sash that the glass sits. If they are hard to cut, place the hand tool, such as a heating gun over them for a few minutes to soften them. When using a heating tool, be careful to not damage the sash's railings and sash.

Prepare the bed for your new pane after you have removed the old glaze and putty. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, forming it into a 1/2-inch thick. Press it into the rabbets where the glass will be placed. The glass must rest against the putty on both sides. If needed gently tap your glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack then you can seal it with a solvent-based glass glue or silicone caulk before 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 remove the oily film from the glass and let it dry completely before painting. If you paint before the putty is completely dry, it won't create a solid seal and could be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

If you've experienced a broken window pane, you may be worried about the cost of a new one. But the truth is that replacing a single glass pane doesn't need to cost a fortune if you do it yourself. In fact, even a double-pane window can be replaced for less than the cost of a professional.

If you are working on a large window, make sure that it is securely fixed to the frame. This can be done relatively easy and quick with the appropriate tools and techniques.

When you are ready to begin with the removal of the window pane. Remove the metal glazing points that are attached to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles that act as "nails" that keep the window in place in the wood frame. They are submerged beneath a layer of glazing putty that is then cured to form a solid, formed wedge that secures the window in place and hides the window's points.

After taking off the old pane clean the frame and the wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used and sand down the rabbet grooves in which the glazing points were. These should be sanded down to the point of being bare, to allow you to paint them the same color as the rest the frame. After sanding, apply a layer of flax oil on the bare wood to prolong its life.

Next, measure the size of the window opening. It is necessary 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 allow for seasonal changes in the glass. You can bring these measurements to a hardware 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.