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How to Replace Window Panes

A cracked window pane can cause a lot of trouble. This can be an opportunity to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones to enjoy advantages like improved comfort, higher resale value and reduced utility bills.

You can do it yourself for less than what it would cost to hire an expert. 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 more modern glass that is tempered or insulated can improve energy efficiency and reduce noise while preserving the original character of older homes. Most homeowners with basic hand tools can repair a window pane. You will also need an additional 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 glasses as working with broken glass can cause injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. It is best to use pliers for this, but a flathead can work as well. After that, use a wood chisel or putty knife remove the rest of the old putty around the frame and sash. Take your time and work slowly and be careful not to damage the old window sash. It is recommended to do this on a stable ladder rather than the ground and to have someone stand below the sash to help keep it steady.

Once you've removed all the old putty, you can prepare the window frame to fit the new pane. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction by subtracting 1/8 inch from the measurements of the width and height. Bring these measurements to the nearest 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 appropriate tools.

After putting in the new pane After installing the new pane, apply a small amount of caulking around the edges to ensure it is weatherproof. Install a glazier's point on both sides of the frame. This will secure the pane. The points should not be so tight that they create friction between the frame and the sash, but they should also not be loose.

Before putting the putty on, work it in a gentle manner until it is soft and free of lumps. Then, roll it into pencil-size strips. Apply the first strip to the corner replacement of window glass the frame. Work from one corner to the next to ensure it's even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier’s points are small triangular pieces of steel that allow glass to be secured into the window frame without damaging the delicate surface. Learning how to use these tiny helpers is simple and can save you money on professional installation or the cost of new glass windows replacement.

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 necessary, lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves to smooth rough areas. If you sand wood cover it with painter's tape to protect it from damage caused by accidental sanding.

Write down the dimensions of the frame. Bring these measurements to an hardware store or home center and have the new pane cut slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure that the pane fits comfortably and allows for expansion and contraction.

Insert the new pane into the frame and push firmly using your hands. Use the chisel's point, or the back of the putty blade to tap the glaziers' points as shown in Figure 11. After you're done, the points should be in line with the top edge of the pane. the shoulders that are raised of the points should be just below the rabbet's rim groove.

Apply a thin layer of glazing compound to the rabbet grooves and edges of the glass. This will seal and protect 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 a thick coat of Linseed oil. This will stop the new putty from drying out or cracking as it absorbs moisture. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or the tip of the putty blade. Then use the chisel that is on the back of the putty tool or the back of the handle to gently hammer the new sash or glazier's tip into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches along the frame's perimeter.

Putty

A baseball hit, a rock thrown in error, or a tree falling can cause a broken or cracked window pane. The majority of windows can be replaced easily by simply putting in a fresh piece. The glass is held in place using a small metal clip called a glazier's point and putty, also called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area with an abrasive, pull-type scraper, or a wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while doing this work. You'll need a heat gun if the window is glued to the frame.

If you are planning to replace the original sash, remove the molding pieces that hold the old pane in place. Then sand the sash to ensure it's smooth and ready to be re-caulked. Once the sash is re-installed then, apply a new silicone caulk to the glass to ensure it won't leak or discolor over time.

Remove the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash, which is where the glass is. If they're hard to chisel out, you can try holding a hand tool like a heat gun to soften them first. When using a heat tool, be sure to not scratch the sash or its railings.

After the old glazing points and putty have been removed prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope with glazing compound between your fingers and then make it about 1/2 inch thick. Place it into the rabbets, where the glass will be placed. The glass should rest against the putty on both sides. If necessary you want to tap your glass lightly into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is damaged, you can use the silicone caulk or glass glue that is based on solvents to cover the crack prior to pressing it in the sash. If not, you'll have to apply putty on the crack to create an airtight seal and keep water out. After the putty has dried, clean the oily film off the glass with the help of a rag. Allow it to dry completely before painting. Paint after the putty is completely dry. It won't form a good seal and could leak or discolor with time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a damaged piece of glass. However, replacing one glass pane does not have to break the bank when you do it yourself. In fact even windows with double panes can be replaced for only a fraction of the cost of a professional.

First, if you are working on a large window, make sure it is securely fastened 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 glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. These are essentially small metal triangles which function as "nails" which hold the window in in the wood frame. They are submerged beneath a bead or glazing glue that hardens to solid wedge which holds the wood frame firmly in position and conceals the edges.

Once you have the old pane removed Clean up the frame and wood. Scrape away any old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points used to be. They should be sanded to bare wood so that you can paint them the same color as the rest the frame. After sanding, apply a coat of flax oil to the wood's surface to extend the life of the frame.

Then, take measurements of the dimensions of the window sash replacement's opening. You'll need to determine the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the entire opening as well as the thickness. 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 during seasons of changes. You can take these measurements to a hardware or home improvement store 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.