You ll Never Guess This Replace Window Pane s Tricks

How to Replace Window pane Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window is an inconvenience. This could be an opportunity to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones and enjoy benefits like increased comfort, increased resale value and reduced utility costs.

It's a task you can take on yourself for a fraction of the cost of hiring an expert. You'll need only the right tools and a few hours of your time.

Glass

If your single pane windows are old, deteriorating or broken replacing them with modern glass that is tempered or insulated can increase energy efficiency and decrease noise while also preserving the original character of older homes. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can replace windows with ease. In addition to a replacement pane, the following tools are required: latex glazing putty; glazier's points; pliers; and the use of a heat gun to warm the old putty, if necessary. Wear safety glasses and gloves before you begin. Working with broken glass could cause serious injuries.

Remove any broken glass pieces remaining. It is recommended to use pliers however, a flathead may work equally. Use a wood chisel, or putty knife to get rid of any old putty remaining around the frame and the window sash. Be careful not to scratch the window sash. Be careful and slow. This is best done on a ladder, not on the ground. Also, you should have someone below the sash keep it in place.

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

After installing the glass After installing the glass, apply some caulking around the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then install a glazier's point on the frame's opposite side to secure the pane in place. The points should not be so tight that they cause friction between the sash and frame however they should not be too loose.

Before applying the putty on the surface, gently knead it until it is smooth and free of lumps. Roll it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be glued to the frame's corner. Work from one corner to the next, making sure it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are the tiny triangular pieces of steel which help to secure glass into the frame of a window without scratching or damaging the fragile surface. It's simple to learn how to use this secret tool, and you'll be able to save money on the cost of an installation by a professional.

After the old putty as well as the glazier's point are gone Clean the frame thoroughly with a knife to eliminate any remaining traces. If necessary, lightly sand the wood along the grooves of the rabbet to smooth out rough spots. If you do sand the wood, be sure to protect it by using painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Measure the empty frame's dimensions and write down accurate measurements. Take these dimensions to an hardware store or home center, and have the new pane cut slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a tight fit, and allow for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and push firmly with your hands. Utilize the point of the chisel, or the back of the putty knife to tap the glazier's points, as shown in Figure 11. When you're done taping, they should be level with the top edge of the pane, and the shoulders of the points should be just below the rabbet's rim groove.

Apply a small amount of glazing compound on the edges of the new glass and in the rabbet grooves to seal and protect them. Allow it to dry and cure fully.

After the glazing compound dries and the glazing compound is dry, you can install the new window sash. First, coat the wood with a thick coat of linseed oil. This will keep the new putty from sucking in the moisture and drying out and cracking over time. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or even the tip of the blade. Then, use the chisel that is on the back of the tool or the back of the putty handle to gently smash the new sash or glazier's tip into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball that is thrown or an unintentional rock, or a falling branch can cause a window to break or crack. The majority of windows can be replaced by installing a new piece. The glass is held in place by tiny metal clips known as a glazier's point, and putty, which is often called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area with the rag, a pull-type scraper, or a wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while doing this work. If the window is glued to the frame, you'll need to employ a heat gun in order to soften the adhesive before prying it free.

If you're planning to install the original sash, remove the molding pieces that secure the old pane. Then you can sand the sash down to make sure it's flat and ready for a new caulk. After the sash has been re-installed then, apply a new caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure that it won't leak or discolor over time.

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets, or the grooves in the sash, where the glass is. If they're difficult to cut out, try holding a hand tool like a heat gun to soften them first. If you're using a heated gun, be careful not to damage the sash or its railings by using the tool too close.

Once the old points of glazing and putty have been removed, prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope made of glazing compound between your fingers and make it around 1/2 inch thick. Place it into the rabbets where the glass will be put. The glass must rest against the putty on both sides. If necessary you want to tap your glass lightly into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can apply the silicone caulk or glass glue that is based on solvents to cover the crack prior to pressing it in the sash. In other cases, you'll need to apply putty on the crack to create an impervious seal to keep water out. When the putty dries then clean the oily film off the glass using a rag and allow it to dry completely prior to painting. If you paint before the putty is fully dry, it will not form a strong seal and may be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a damaged piece of glass. However, replacing a single glass pane doesn't need to cost a fortune if you do it yourself. In fact, even a double glazed window replacement-pane window can be replaced at less than the cost of a professional.

If you are working on a large-sized window, make sure that it is securely attached to the frame. Using the proper tools and techniques to make this task relatively easy and quick.

When you are ready to start with the removal of the window pane. Pry out the metal glazing points attached to it. These are essentially small metal triangles that act as "nails" which hold the window in place in the wood frame. They are buried beneath a glaze putty or bead that hardens to a solid wedge which holds the wood frame securely in place and hides the points.

After you have removed the old pane removed, clean up the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape away any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points used to be. These should be sanded down to the point of being bare, to allow you to paint them the same color as the rest the frame. After sanding the wood then apply a layer of flax oil. This will help prolong the life of the frame.

Then, take measurements of the dimensions of the window's opening. You'll need to take vertical and replace window Pane 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 also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass during seasonal change. You can take 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, 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.