Ten Replace Window Pane That Will Actually Make Your Life Better

How to replace upvc window handle Window Panes

A cracked window pane can be a source of frustration. This could be an opportunity to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones to enjoy benefits like increased comfort, increased resale value and reduced utility costs.

You can do it yourself at only a fraction of the cost it would cost to hire an expert. It requires the right equipment and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

If your single-pane windows are outdated broken, deteriorating or damaged replacing them with more modern glass that is tempered or insulated will increase energy efficiency and reduce noise while maintaining the historic integrity of older homes. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can repair a window pane. Alongside a replacement pane, the following tools are required: latex glazing putty; pliers, glazier's points and an electric heater to warm the old putty if required. Before beginning, wear gloves and safety goggles as working with broken glass could cause injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. This is best done using a pair of pliers, however, a flathead screwdriver may work in a pinch. Then, use a wooden chisel, or putty knife, to remove the rest of the old putty from the frame and sash. Be careful not to damage the window sash. Take your time and work slowly. This should be done on a ladder, not the ground. Also, you should have someone lower to hold it steady.

Make sure that the window frame is ready to accept the new pane after you have removed the old putty. Find the width and the height of the opening for the sash, subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). These measurements can be sent to a hardware or home center store to have an item cut from glass stock to the proper size. You can also cut the glass by yourself if you possess the appropriate tools.

After putting in the new pane after installing the new pane, put a tiny amount of caulking around the edges to seal it against weather. Then, you can install a glazier's pointing on the frame's opposite side to secure the pane in its place. The points shouldn't be too tight that they create friction between the frame and sash, but they should also not be loose.

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

Glazier's Points

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

After the old putty as well as glazier's points are removed and the frame is thoroughly cleaned with a knife to get rid of any remaining traces. If necessary you can lightly sand the wood in the grooves of the rabbets to smooth rough spots. If you do sand the 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 a home center and request that the new pane made slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a secure fit and leave room for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane in the frame and service push firmly using your hands. Then, you can use the point of your chisel, or the back end of the putty knife to tap in the glazier's points, as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's point should be in line with the top edge of your pane, and the raised shoulders should be just below that lip.

Apply a thin bead of glazing compound on the edges of the glass that has been made and into the rabbet grooves, to seal and protect them. Let it dry completely and cure.

Install the new window sash after the glazing compound has dried. First, you need to coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will stop the new putty from drying out and cracking as it absorbs moisture. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or the point of the putty blade. Then use the chisel on the back of the tool or the back of the handle to gently hit the new sash, or glazier's point into grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball hit or a rock thrown by error or a branch falling can result in a cracked or cracked window pane. Luckily, most windows can be easily replaced by simply putting a new piece of glass in its the proper place. The glass is held in place with a small metal clip called a glazier's point, and putty, also called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area using a rag, a scraper that is a pull type or a wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while doing this work. You'll need a heating gun in the event that the window is glued to the frame.

If you plan to reinstall the original sash, gently remove any molding pieces that hold the old pane in place. Then you can sand the sash down to make sure it's flat and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is re-installed then, apply a new silicone caulk to the glass to ensure that it won't leak or discolor over time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets. These are the grooves in the sash, which is where the glass is located. If they're difficult to work out, try holding the hand tool, such as a heat gun over them to soften them up first. When using a heated tool, be sure to not scratch the sash's railings and sash.

Once the old glaze points 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 about 1/2 inch thick. Press it into the rabbets where the glass will be put. It's important that the glass sits on the putty on both sides So if you have 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 pressing it into the sash. If the crack isn't sealed, you'll need to use putty to keep water out. After the putty has dried, wipe the oily film from the glass and let it dry completely before you paint. Paint before the putty has dried completely. It will not make a strong seal and could leak or discolor with time.

Paint

If you've suffered a break in a window pane, you might be worried about the expense of a new one. But the truth is that replacing one glass pane does not require a huge amount of money if you do it yourself. In fact, even a double-pane window can be replaced at only a fraction of the cost of an expert.

If you are working on a large window, make sure that it is securely fixed to the frame. By using the correct tools and techniques you can complete this task easily and speedy.

When you are ready to start, remove the old window pane. Pry out the metal glazing points that are attached to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles which function as "nails" which hold the window in place within the frame of wood. They are buried beneath a bead or glazing putty that hardens to an unbreakable wedge which holds the wood frame in place and hides the sharp edges.

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. Sand them to bare wooden surfaces so you can paint the frames the same color. After sanding, this site apply a coat of flax oil on the bare wood to help extend its lifespan.

Next, measure the width of the window's opening. You'll need to determine the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the entire opening as well as the thickness. To determine the exact size of the new pane, subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass during seasons of changes. You can take these measurements to a hardware store or home improvement shop 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.