You ll Never Guess This Replace Window Pane s Tricks

How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane can be a nuisance. It could also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows to enjoy benefits such as more comfort, higher the value of resales and lower utility bills.

This is a project you could take on yourself for only a fraction of the cost of hiring an expert. You'll only require the appropriate 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 will improve energy efficiency and reduce noise while preserving the historic integrity of older homes. A majority of homeowners with hand replace window pane tools can replace windows with ease. You will also require a replacement window pane, glazier's suggestions, pliers, and latex glazing putty. If you need to you can use a heating gun to warm the old putty. Before starting, put on gloves and safety goggles as working with broken glass could cause injuries.

Remove any broken glass pieces remaining. It is best to use pliers however a flathead could be useful equally. Use a wood chisel, or putty knife to get rid of any old putty remaining around the frame and window sash. Take your time and work slowly making sure not to damage the old window sash. It is best to work on a sturdy ladder rather than the ground and to have someone standing below the sash to help hold it steady.

After you have removed all the old putty, prepare the window frame to accommodate the new pane. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction and contraction, subtract 1/8 inch from the measurements of the width and height. These measurements can be sent to a home center or hardware store to get a piece cut of glass that is in stock to the correct size. You can also cut the glass by yourself if you have the right tools.

After installing the new pane, run a small bead of caulking around the edges to seal it against weather. Then, place a glazier's tip on each side of the frame to secure the pane in place. The points shouldn't be tight enough to cause friction between the frame and sash, but they should also not be loose.

Before applying the putty knead it thoroughly until it is soft and free of lumps. Then, roll it into pencil-size strips. Apply the first strip to the corner of the frame. Work from one corner to another and ensure that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular pieces of metal which help to secure glass into the frame of a window without scratching or damaging the delicate surface. Understanding how to use these tiny pieces of help is simple and could save you money on a professional installation or the cost of purchasing new glass.

After taking off the old putty, glazier points, and any other leftovers Clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife. If necessary, lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves to smooth rough areas. If you do sand your wood, be sure to protect it by using painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Write down the dimensions of the frame. Take these measurements to a hardware store or home center and have the new pane cut smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a secure fit and leave room for expansion and contraction.

Place the new window in the frame and push it into the frame with your hand. Use the point of the chisel, or the edge of the putty blade to tap in the glazier's points as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's point should be aligned with the top edge of your pane, and the shoulders should be just below the lip.

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

Install the new window seal replacement sash when the glazing compound has dried. First, you need to coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will prevent the new putty from taking up the moisture and deteriorating and cracking over time. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or even the tip 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 process in intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown at you or an unintentional rock, or falling branch could cause a window to crack or break. Most windows can be replaced by simply putting in a fresh piece. The glass is held in place by tiny metal clips known as a glazier's point, and putty, also called glazing compound. Before installing a replacement pane, first remove the old one and clean up the area using a rag and a pull-type paint scraper or an abrasive wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves while you do this work. If the window is glued to the frame, you'll have to make use of a heat gun to soften the adhesive before prying it free.

If you're planning to replace window pane (official statement) your original sash, remove the molding that holds the old pane. Then sand the sash to ensure it's level and ready for a new caulk. After the sash has been put back in place, you can apply a silicone caulk over 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 where the glass is. If they're hard to chisel, use the hand tool, such as a heatgun over them to allow them to soften before. If you're using a heating gun, be careful not to cause damage to the railings or sash by placing the tool too tightly.

Make a bed for your new pane by removing the old glaze and putty. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, and form it to be about 1/2-inch thick. Then, you can press it into the rabbets in which the glass will rest. It's important that the glass rests against 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 has a crack, you can cover it with a solvent-based glass glue or silicone caulk prior to pressing it into the sash. If the crack isn't sealed, you'll require putty to keep water out. After the putty has dried, wipe the oily film off the glass and let it dry completely before you paint. Paint before the putty has dried completely. It won't create a solid seal and may be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a broken pane of glass. It's true that replacing a single pane glass doesn't have to be costly even if you do it your own. In fact, even a double-pane window can be replaced at only a fraction of the cost of an expert.

First, if you're working on a large window, ensure that it is securely fastened to the frame. This job can be done relatively easy and quick with the right tools and techniques.

When you're ready to start taking off the old window by prying out the glazing points of metal that are attached to it. These are tiny triangles of metal that function as "nails" that hold the window in the frame. They are placed under a bead of glazing putty that is then cured to form a solid, formed wedge which holds the window in place and conceals the window's points.

After removing the old pane, clean the frame and the wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used and sand the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were placed. Sand them down to bare wooden surfaces, allowing you to paint the frames the same color. After sanding the wood you can apply a layer flax oil. This will help prolong the life of the frame.

Then, take measurements of the dimensions of the window opening. You will need to take vertical and horizontal measurements of the entire opening as well as the thickness of the old pane. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure that you get a precise size for the new pane. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. Bring these measurements to your local 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.