How to Replace Window Panes

A cracked window pane is an issue. It can also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows, and reap benefits like improved comfort, increased potential for resales, and less bills.

It's a task you can do yourself for less than the cost of hiring a professional. It requires the right equipment and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

Replace your single-paned windows using tempered or insulation glass to improve the efficiency of your energy, reduce noise, and maintain the original character of your home's older. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can repair the window pane. You'll also require an additional window pane, glazier's suggestions, pliers, and latex glaze putty. If you need to you can use a heatgun to warm the old putty. Before starting, put on gloves and safety goggles as working with broken replacement glass windows could cause injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. It is recommended to use pliers for this however a flathead could work equally. Make use of a wood chisel or putty knife to get rid of any old putty that remains around the frame and window sash. Be careful not to damage the window sash. Take your time and work slowly. This should be done on a ladder, not on the ground. Also, ensure that someone lower to ensure it is held steady.

Make sure the window frame is ready to receive the new pane after you have removed the old putty. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction by subtracting 1/8 inch from the measurements of the width and height. These measurements can be sent to a hardware or home center store to have cut a piece of stock glass to the right size. You can cut the glass yourself if you possess the right tools.

After installing the glass, apply 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 the right place. The points shouldn't be so tight as to cause friction between the sash and the frame however they shouldn't be loose.

Before applying the putty on the surface, you must knead it thoroughly until it is smooth and free from lumps. Roll it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be placed to the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to another to ensure it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are tiny triangular metal pieces that allow glass to be secured to the frame without causing damage to the delicate surface. It's easy to learn how to use this hidden tool, and you'll save money on the expense of a professional installation.

After getting rid of the old putty glazier points and any leftovers, clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife. Lightly sand the wood into the rabbet grooves to smooth out rough areas. If you sand wood, cover 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. Take these measurements to an hardware store or home center and have the new pane made slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a tight fit and leave room for expansion and contraction.

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

Apply a thin bead of glazing compound over 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 once the glazing compound has dried. The first step is to coat the wood with a thick coat of linseed oil. This will prevent the new putty from taking in the moisture and drying out and cracking over time. Apply the coat using a brush or the tip of your putty knife, then employ the chisel or back end of the knife to gently press the new sash and glazier's point into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches along the frame's perimeter.

Putty

A baseball hit or a rock thrown by error or a branch falling could result in a broken or cracked window replacement near me. Most windows can be repaired easily by putting in a new piece. The glass is held in place by a small metal clip called a glazier's point and putty, often called glazing compound. Before installing a new pane, first get rid of the old one and clean up the area with an abrasive and a pull-type paint scraper or the wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while working. If the window is secured to the frame, you'll need to use a heat gun to soften the adhesive before cutting it loose.

If you are planning to install your original replacement Sash windows cost, you must remove the mold that holds the old pane. Then sand the sash to ensure it's smooth and ready to be re-caulked. Once the sash is installed, you can apply a silicone caulk on the glass. This will ensure that it won't leak over time or discolor.

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, try placing an instrument like a heat gun to soften them before you do. When using a heating tool, be careful to avoid damaging the sash or its railings.

Prepare the bed for your new pane after removing the old glaze and putty. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, shaping it to be around 1/2-inch thick. Press it into the rabbets, where the glass will be placed. It's important that the glass rests against the putty on each side So if you have to, lightly tap the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can apply a silicone caulk or glass glue that is based on solvents to fill in the crack before pressing it into the sash. If not, you'll have to putty over the crack to form an airtight seal and keep water out. When the putty dries then clean the oily film off the glass with a rag and allow it to dry completely prior to painting. If you paint before the putty is completely dry, it won't create a solid seal and could discolor or leak in time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a broken piece of glass. In reality, replacing a single piece of glass doesn't need to be costly even if you do it your own. In fact windows with double panes can be replaced at only a fraction of the cost of a professional.

First, if you are working on a large-sized window, make sure it is securely attached to the frame. This job can be made relatively simple and fast with the proper tools and techniques.

When you're ready to start with the removal of the old window pane by removing the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. These are tiny triangles of metal that function as "nails", holding the window in the frame. They are buried under a bead of glazing putty that hardens into a solid, moulded wedge that secures the window in place and conceals the window's points.

After you have the old pane removed Clean up the frame and wood. Scrape off any old 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 then apply a layer of flax oil. This will help extend its life.

Next, measure the width of the window opening. It is necessary to measure 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 allow for seasonal changes in the glass. You can bring these measurements to a hardware store or home improvement store and have the glass cut for you.

Now, it's time to bed the new replacement window glass near me 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.