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How to replace Window pane Window Panes

A cracked window pane can cause a lot of trouble. It can also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows to benefit from more comfort, higher resale value and reduced utility costs.

This is a project you could take on yourself for less than the cost of hiring a professional. It requires the right tools and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

If your single-pane windows are outdated damaged, cracked or deteriorating replacing them with modern glass that is tempered or insulated will increase energy efficiency and reduce noise while maintaining the historical integrity of older homes. The majority of homeowners with basic hand tools can repair a window pane. In addition to a new pane, the following tools are needed: latex glazing putty; pliers, glazier's points and an electric heater to warm the old putty if required. Wear safety glasses and gloves before you begin. Working with broken glass can cause serious injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. This can be done with a pair of pliers, though using flathead screwdrivers can work in a pinch. Use a wood chisel, or putty knives, to take away any old putty remaining 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 an elevated ladder, not on the ground. Also, you should have someone lower to hold it steady.

Make sure that the window frame is ready to accommodate the new pane when you have removed the old putty. 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 an hardware or home centers store to get a piece cut of stock glass to the right size. You can cut the glass yourself if you have the appropriate tools.

After putting the new pane in place, run a small bead of caulking along the edge to make it weatherproof. Install a glazier's point on both sides of the frame. This will ensure the pane. The points shouldn't be too tight as to cause friction between the frame and sash but they shouldn't be too loose.

Before applying the putty, work it in a gentle manner until it is soft and free of lumps. Make it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip in the corner of the frame, working from one corner to the other so that it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular metal pieces that help secure the glass into the window frame without damaging the delicate surface. It's easy to understand how to use this nefarious tool, and you'll save money on the cost of a professional installation.

After the old putty and glazier's points are removed, thoroughly clean the frame with a knife to get rid of any remaining traces. Lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves to smooth out rough areas. If you decide to sand wood, cover it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

Measure the empty frame's dimensions and record precise measurements. Take these dimensions to a hardware store or a home center and have the new pane cut 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 press it down using your hands. Utilize the point of the chisel or the back of the putty blade to tap the glazier's points, as illustrated in Figure 11. When you're done, they should be level with the top edge of the pane, and the raised shoulders of the points should be just below the rabbet's lip. groove.

Apply a thin bead of glazing compound over the edges of the new glass and in the rabbet grooves to seal and protect them. Allow it to dry completely and cure.

When the glazing compound is dry, you're ready to install the new window sash. First, you need to coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will prevent the new putty from soaking up the moisture and drying out and cracking over time. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or the point of the putty blade. Then use the chisel that is on the back of the tool or the back of the handle to gently hammer the new sash or glazier's point into rabbet grooves. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches around the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown or a rock thrown by error, or a tree falling can cause a broken or cracked window pane. Luckily, most windows can be repaired by simply placing a new piece in the proper place. The glass is held into place by a small metal clip, also known as a glazier's point and putty. This compound is also referred to as glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area with an abrasive, pull-type scraper, or a wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves when you work. If the window is secured to the frame, you'll have to make use of a heat gun to soften the adhesive before taking it off.

If you plan to reinstall the original sash, gently remove the molding pieces that hold the old pane in place. Sand the sash until it is flat and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is put back in place it is possible to apply a silicone caulk to the glass. This will ensure that it doesn't be leaking or fade over time.

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets and the grooves in the sash, where the glass replacement windows is. If they're hard to chisel out, try placing the hand tool, such as a heat gun over them to soften them first. If you're using a heated gun, be careful not to scratch the sash or its railings by placing the tool too closely.

After the old points of glazing and putty have been removed make a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your hands, forming it to be about 1/2-inch thick. Place it into the rabbets where the glass will be put. It is essential that the glass sits on the putty in all places on each side So if you have to tap it, gently press the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can apply a silicone caulk or glass glue based on solvents to seal the crack prior to pressing it in the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you'll need to use putty to keep water out. Once the putty is dry clean the oily film off the glass and allow it to dry completely before you paint. If you paint before the putty is fully dry, it won't create an effective seal and could leak or discolor in time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a broken pane of glass. It's true that replacing a single pane glass doesn't have to be expensive even if you do it your own. Even double-paned windows can be replaced for a fraction of the price it costs for a professional.

If you're working with a large glass window first ensure it is securely fixed to the frame. This can be made relatively simple and quick with the right tools and techniques.

If you're ready to begin taking off the old window pane by prying out the glazing points of metal that are connected to it. These are basically small metal triangles that function as "nails" which hold the window in place within the frame of wood. They are submerged beneath a layer of glazing putty, which is then cured to form a solid, formed wedge that holds the window firmly in place and conceals the window's points.

After taking off the old pane clean the frame and the wood. Scrape away any old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were. They should be sanded to the point of being bare, to allow you to paint them the same shade as the rest of the frame. After sanding the wood you can apply a layer flax oil. This will help prolong the life of the frame.

The next step is to determine the size of the window's opening. You'll need to determine the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the entire opening, as well as the thickness. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure you get a precise size for the new pane. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass during seasons of change. You can bring 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, replace window Pane 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.