15 Things You Don't Know About Replace Window Pane

How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane could be a source of frustration. It can also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows, and enjoy benefits such as greater comfort, a higher resale value and reduced utility bills.

It's a task you can tackle yourself at only a fraction of the cost of hiring an expert. It requires the right tools and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

If your single-pane windows are old, deteriorating or broken, replacing them with newer glass that is tempered or insulated will increase energy efficiency and reduce noise while also preserving the historical integrity of older homes. The process of replacing a window pane is relatively simple and can be done by most homeowners who possess basic hand tools. You will also need an extra window pane, glazier's suggestions, pliers, and latex glazing putty. If necessary you may use a heatgun to warm the old putty. Before beginning, wear gloves and safety goggles as working with broken glass can cause injuries.

Take away any broken glass pieces that remain. This is best done using pliers, but a flathead screwdriver can also be used in the pinch. Then, use a wooden chisel or putty knife remove the rest of the old putty around the frame and the sash. Work slowly and carefully and be careful not to damage the old window sash. This is best done on a ladder, not the ground. Also, ensure that someone below the sash keep it in place.

Once you have removed all the old putty, Replace window pane prepare the window frame to fit the new pane. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction, subtract 1/8 inch each from the measurements of the width and height. Take these measurements to a 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 possess the right tools.

After installing the glass Apply some caulking around the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then install a glazier's point on each side of the frame to hold the pane in its place. The points shouldn't be so tight that they cause friction between the sash and the frame, but they also should not be too loose.

Before applying the putty on the surface, knead thoroughly until it is soft and free of lumps. Then, roll it into pencil-size strips. The first strip should be placed to the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to the other so that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular pieces of metal which help to secure the glass to the frame without causing damage to the delicate surface. It's easy to understand how to use this secret tool, and you'll save money on the expense of an installation by a professional.

After removing the old putty, glazier points and any residue clean the frame thoroughly with an utility knife. Lightly sand the wood into the rabbet grooves if needed to smooth out rough areas. If you sand wood protect it with painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

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 slightly smaller. This will ensure that the pane fits snugly and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and push it into place firmly using your hand. Utilize the point of the chisel, or the edge of the putty blade to smudge the glaziers' points as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's points should be flush against the top edge of your pane and the raised shoulders should be just below the lip.

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

Install the new window sash after the glazing compound has dried. The first step is to coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will stop the new putty from taking in the moisture and deteriorating and cracking with time. Apply this coat using a brush or the tip of your putty knife, then use the chisel, or the back end of the knife to gently hammer in the new sash and glazier's tips into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches along the frame's perimeter.

Putty

A hurled baseball or an unintentional rock, or a falling branch can cause a window to crack or break. Fortunately, windows can be replaced by simply putting a brand new piece of glass in its the right place. The replacement glass for windows is held in place using small clips made of metal called the glazier's pointed and putty, also called glazing compound. Before installing a new pane, first get rid of the old one and clean the area with the help of a rag, an abrasive scraper that is a pull type or an abrasive wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses when working. If the window is attached to the frame, you'll need make use of a heat gun to soften the adhesive before taking it off.

If you are planning to Replace window Pane the original sash, remove the molding pieces that secure the old pane. Then sand the sash to ensure it's smooth and ready to be re-caulked. After the sash has been re-installed and sanded, apply a fresh silicone caulk around the glass to ensure it doesn't swell or fade over time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets, the grooves in the sash where the glass is. If they're hard to chisel, hold the hand tool, such as a heatgun over them for a few minutes to soften them. When using a heated tool, be careful to not damage the sash's railings and sash.

Once the old points of glazing and putty have been removed prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, forming it into a 1/2-inch thick. Then, press it into the rabbets where the glass will rest. The glass must rest against the putty on both sides. If needed you want to tap your glass lightly into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has cracked, you can apply a silicone caulk or a glass glue made from solvents to seal the crack prior to pressing it into the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you will need to use putty to keep water out. Once the putty is dry, wipe the oily film off of the glass and let it dry completely before you paint. If you paint before the putty has completely dry, it won't form a solid seal and could be leaking or discoloring in time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a broken pane of glass. It's true that replacing a single piece of glass doesn't have to be expensive even if you do it your own. Even replacement double glazing windows-paned windows can be replaced for a fraction of what it will cost a professional.

First, if you are working on a large-sized window, make sure that it is securely attached to the frame. Using the proper tools and techniques, you can make this task relatively easy and fast.

When you're ready to start, begin by removing the old window by prying out the metal glazing points that are connected to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles that function as "nails" that hold the window in in the wood frame. They are buried under a bead of glazing putty, which transforms into a solid moulded wedge which holds the window in place and hides the window's points.

After removal of the old pane clean the frame and the wood. Scrape away any old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves, where the glazing points used to be. Sand them down to clean wooden surfaces so you can paint the frames the same shade. After the sanding process, apply a coat of flax oil on the wood that is not sanded down to prolong its life.

The next step is to determine the width of the window's opening. You will need to take horizontal and vertical measurements of the entire opening as well as 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 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, Replace window Pane it can be painted with the same color as the frame to prevent water and air from leaking into the frame and causing fogging.