How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane could be a nuisance. This could be an opportunity to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones, and reap benefits such as improved comfort, increased resale values and reduced utility bills.

It's a task you can do yourself for a fraction of the cost of hiring a professional. You'll only require the right tools and a few minutes of your time.

glass replacement in windows

If your single-pane windows are outdated damaged, cracked or deteriorating, replacing them with newer glass that is tempered or insulated can increase energy efficiency and decrease noise while also preserving the historical integrity of older homes. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can repair a window pane. You will also require a replacement double glazed window window replacements pane, glazier's suggestions, pliers, and latex glazing putty. If needed you can make use of a heat gun to warm the old putty. Before starting, wear gloves and safety goggles as working with broken glass can cause injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. It is recommended to use pliers however a flathead could be useful equally. Use a wood chisel, or putty knives, to take away any remaining old putty around the frame and window sash. Work slowly and carefully making sure not to damage the old window sash. This is best done on a ladder, not on the ground. Also, have someone below the sash ensure it is held steady.

Once you have removed all the old putty, 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. These measurements can be taken to a home center or hardware store to have a piece cut of glass that is in stock to the correct size. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself if you have the right tools.

After installing the new glass, apply a small amount of caulking to the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Install a glazier’s point on both sides of the frame. This will help secure the pane. The points shouldn't be too tight that they cause friction between the frame and the sash, but they should also not be loose.

Before applying the putty, make sure to knead it until it is smooth and free of lumps. Then make it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip to the frame's corner. Work from corner to corner to ensure it's even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular pieces of steel that help secure the glass to the frame without causing any damage to the fragile surface. Knowing how to use these hidden little helpers is easy and can save you money on a professional installation or the cost of purchasing new glass.

After removing the old putty, glazier points as well as any remaining leftovers clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife. Lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves if needed to smooth rough areas. If you do sand the wood, ensure you protect it with painter's tack to avoid accidental damage.

Take measurements of the empty frame and note down precise measurements. These measurements can be taken to an hardware or home centers store, and the new pane will be cut to a smaller size. This will ensure a secure fit and will allow room for expansion and contraction.

Place the new window in the frame and push it in place by using your hands. Use the chisel's point, or the edge of the putty blade to tap the glazier's points as illustrated in Figure 11. After you're done, the points should be in line with the top edge of the pane, and the shoulders that are raised of the points should be below the rabbet's lip. groove.

Apply a thin layer of glazing compound over the edges of the new glass and in the rabbet grooves to seal and protect them. Let it 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 stop the new putty from soaking up the moisture and deteriorating and cracking over time. Apply this coat with a brush or the edge of your putty knife, and then use the chisel or the back end of the knife to gently press the new sash and glazier's point into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball hit or a rock thrown in error, or a tree falling could result in a broken or cracked window. The majority of 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, which is often called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area with a rag, a pull-type scraper or wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves while doing this work. If the window is glued to the frame, you'll have to make use of a heat gun to soften the adhesive prior to taking it off.

If you are planning to reinstall your original sash, remove the molding that supports the old pane. Then sand the sash to ensure it's smooth and ready for a new caulk. After the sash has been re-installed and sanded, apply a fresh caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure that it doesn't swell or fade in time.

Remove the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash where the glass is. If they're difficult to cut out, you can try holding the hand tool, such as a heat gun to soften them up first. If you're using a heating gun, make sure not to cause damage to the sash or its railings by holding the tool too closely.

Create a bed for your new pane by removing the old glaze points and putty. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your hands, and form it to be around 1/2-inch thick. Place it into the rabbets where the glass will be put. It is crucial that the glass is positioned against the putty in all places on both sides If you have to, lightly tap the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked then you can seal it with a solvent-based glass glue or silicone caulk prior to pressing it into the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you will need to use putty to keep the water out. When the putty dries, 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 has completely dry, it won't form an effective seal and could be leaking or discoloring in time.

Paint

If you've experienced a broken window pane, then you may be worried about the expense of replacing it. However, replacing a single glass pane doesn't require a huge amount of money If you can do it yourself. Even double-paned windows can be replaced for a fraction of the price it would cost of a Window replacement for a professional.

If you're working with large glass windows first, ensure that it is securely attached to the frame. This can be made relatively simple and fast using the proper tools and techniques.

When you are ready to start taking down the old window replacement panes pane. Pry out the metal glazing points that are attached to it. These are tiny metal triangles which act as "nails", holding the window in the frame. They are buried under a bead of glazing putty that transforms into a solid formed wedge that holds the window firmly in place and hides the points.

After taking off the old pane clean the frame and wood. Scrape off any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points used to be. Sand them to bare wooden surfaces, allowing you to paint the frames the same color. After the sanding process, apply a coat of flax oil to the wood that is not sanded down to extend the life of the frame.

Next, measure the dimensions of the window's opening. You will need 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. Take these measurements to a hardware or home improvement store, and they will 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.