A Peek Into The Secrets Of Replace Window Pane

How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane could be a source of frustration. It could also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows, and reap benefits like greater comfort, a higher potential for resales, and less bills.

You can do it yourself for less than what it would cost to employ an expert. You only need the proper tools and a few minutes of your time.

Glass

If your single pane windows are old broken, deteriorating or damaged, replacing them with newer glass that is tempered or insulated can increase energy efficiency and reduce noise while also preserving the historic integrity of older homes. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can repair the window pane. In addition to a new pane, the following items are needed for the replacement process: latex glazing putty glazier's points; pliers; and a heat gun for warming the old putty, if needed. Before beginning, wear protective gloves and goggles since working with broken glass could cause injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. This is best done using a pair of pliers, however, a flathead screwdriver may be effective in a pinch. After that, use a wood chisel, or putty knife, to remove the remaining old putty around the frame and the sash. Take your time and work slowly and be careful not to break the existing window sash. This can be done best on a ladder, not the ground. Also, ensure that someone on the ground to ensure it is held steady.

Once you've removed all the old putty, it is time to prepare the window frame for the new pane. Find the width and the height of the sash opening, 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 have a piece cut of stock glass to the right size. You can also cut the glass yourself if you have the tools you need.

After installing the new glass, apply a small amount of 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 its place. The points shouldn't be so tight that they create friction between the frame and the sash, but they should also not be loose.

Before applying the putty to the surface, knead thoroughly until it is smooth and free of lumps. Then, roll it into pencil-size strips. The first strip should be glued to the corner of the frame. Work from corner to corner to ensure it's even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular pieces of metal that allow glass to be secured to the frame without causing any damage to the fragile surface. It's easy to understand how to use this nefarious tool and you can save money on the expense of an expert installation.

After getting rid of the old putty glazier points and any residue clean the frame thoroughly with an utility knife. If needed it is necessary to lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves to smooth rough spots. If you decide to sand the wood, ensure you protect it by using painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Write down the exact dimensions of the frame. These dimensions can be taken to an hardware or home centers store, and the new pane will be cut slightly smaller. This will ensure that the pane fits comfortably and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane in the frame and press it down with your hands. Then use the point of your chisel or the back of the putty knife to pierce the glazier's points, as shown in Figure 11. The glazier's points should be flush against the top edge of your pane, and the raised shoulders should be just beneath that lip.

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

After the glazing compound dries it's time to put in the new window sash. The first step is to coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will stop the new putty from taking up moisture and drying out and cracking with time. Apply this coat with a brush or the tip of your putty knife, and then employ the chisel or back end of the knife to gently hammer the new sash and glazier's points into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches around the frame's perimeter.

Putty

A baseball thrown at you, an errant rock or a fallen branch can cause a window pane to break or crack. Most windows replacement can be replaced by simply putting in a fresh piece. The glass is held in place by a small metal clip, referred to as the glazier's point, and putty. This compound is also called glazing compound. Before you install a new pane, first remove the old one and clean the area using the help of a rag, the pull-type paint scraper or an abrasive wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while you do this work. If the window is secured to the frame, you'll need make use of a heat gun to soften the adhesive prior to cutting it loose.

If you're planning to replace window pane your original sash, remove the mold that holds the old pane. Then, sand the sash to ensure it's level and ready to be re-caulked. Once the sash is put back in place then, you can apply a silicone caulk over the glass. This will ensure that it won't leak over time or discolor.

Take out the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves in the sash where the glass is located. If they're hard to chisel out, try placing the hand tool, such as a heat gun over them to soften them before you do. If you're using a heated gun, be careful not to cause damage to the railings of the sash or the sash itself by placing the tool too tightly.

Once the old glazing points and putty have been removed make a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your fingers, and make it about 1/2 inch thick. Then, push it into the rabbets in which the glass will sit. It's important that the glass sits on the putty in all places on each side, so if you need to tap it, gently press the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked then you can seal it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk prior to pressing it into the sash. If not, you'll have to putty over the crack to form an airtight seal and keep water out. After the putty has dried, clean the oily film off the glass with an abrasive and allow it to completely dry before painting. Paint before the putty is completely dry. It will not form a good seal and could leak or discolor with time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a broken piece of glass. But the truth is that replacing a single glass pane doesn't have to break the bank if you do it yourself. Even a double-paned window could be replaced for a fraction of what it would cost an expert.

If you're working with a large glass window first, ensure that it is securely fixed to the frame. This is relatively easy and quick with the proper tools and techniques.

Once you're ready to begin taking off the old window sash replacement by prying out the glazing points of metal that are connected to it. These are tiny metal triangles that function as "nails" to hold the window in place. They are submerged under a bead of glazing putty, which hardens into a solid, molded wedge which holds the window in place and hides the points.

After removal of the old pane clean the frame and 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, allowing you to paint the frames with the same shade. After sanding the wood then apply a layer of flax oil. This will help to prolong the life of the frame.

Next, measure the width of the window handles replacement's opening. It is necessary to measure the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the entire opening, as well as the thickness. To get 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 during seasons of changes. You can take these measurements to a hardware store or home improvement shop and get the glass cut for replace window pane 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.