You ll Never Guess This Replace Window Pane s Tricks

How to Replace window Pane Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window can be a source of frustration. This could be an opportunity to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or Replace window Pane insulated ones to enjoy benefits such as improved comfort, increased resale value and reduced utility bills.

You can do it yourself for a fraction of what it would cost to hire an expert. It requires the right tools and only an hour or two 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 improve energy efficiency and reduce noise while also preserving the historic integrity of older homes. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can replace a window pane. In addition to a new pane, the following components are required: latex glazing putty; glazier's points; pliers; and an electric heater to warm the old putty, if necessary. Wear safety glasses and gloves prior to starting. Working with broken glass can cause serious injuries.

Take out any broken glass pieces that remain. This is best done using pliers, but flathead screwdrivers can work in the pinch. After that, use a wood chisel or putty knife to remove the remaining old putty from the frame and sash. Be careful to not break the window sash. Take your time and work slowly. This can be done best on a ladder, not the ground. Also, ensure that someone lower to ensure it is held steady.

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

After putting the new pane in place after installing the new pane, put a tiny amount of caulking around the edges to make it weatherproof. Then install a glazier's point on the frame's opposite side to secure the pane into place. The points should not be too tight that they cause friction between the frame and the sash however they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty on the surface, knead thoroughly until it is soft and free of lumps. Then you can roll it into pencil-sized strips. Place the first strip in the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to another so that it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

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

After taking off the old putty, glazier points, and any other residue Clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife. Lightly sand the wood into the rabbet grooves, if necessary, to smooth rough areas. If you do sand the wood, ensure you protect it by using painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Take measurements of the empty frame and record precise measurements. Bring these measurements to a hardware store or home center and request that the new pane made slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure that the pane fits perfectly and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane in the frame and push it in with your hands. Then, use the tip of your chisel or the back of the putty knife to tap in the glazier's facets, as shown in Figure 11. The glazier's points should be aligned with the top edge of your pane and the shoulders should be just below that lip.

Apply a thin layer 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 and cure completely.

Once the glazing compound has dried it's time to put in the new window sash. First, coat the wood with a heavy coat of Linseed oil. This will prevent the new putty from taking up moisture and drying out and cracking with time. Apply this coat using a brush or the tip of your knife, then use the chisel, or the back end from the putty knife to gently hammer the new sash and glazier's point into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches along the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown at you, an errant rock or falling branch could cause a window to crack or break. Most windows can be replaced easily by simply putting in a fresh piece. The replacement glass for windows is held in place with a small metal clip called a glazier's point, and putty, also called glazing compound. Before you install a new pane, first take out the old one and clean up the area using the help of a rag, the pull-type paint scraper or an abrasive wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves while working. You'll need a heating gun in the event that the window is glued into the frame.

If you're planning to install the original sash, gently remove any 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 re-installed, apply a new silicone caulk around the glass to ensure that it won't leak or discolor in time.

Remove the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash where the glass is. If they're hard to chisel out, try placing a hand tool like a heat gun to soften them up first. When using a heated tool, be careful to not damage the sash or its railings.

Once the old glazing points and putty are removed, make a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope made of glazing compound between your fingers, and make it around 1/2 inch thick. Then, press it into the rabbets in which the glass will be. The glass must be positioned against the putty on both sides. If necessary gently tap your glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked then you can seal it with a solvent-based glass glue or silicone caulk before pressing it into the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you will need to use putty to keep the water out. After the putty has dried, wipe the oily film off the glass and allow it to dry completely before painting. If you paint before the putty is fully dry, it won't create an effective seal and could discolor or leak over time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a broken piece of glass. In reality, replacing a single piece of glass doesn't have to be expensive if you do it on your own. Even a double-paned window could be replaced at a fraction of the cost it would cost a professional.

If you're working with large glass windows first, ensure that it is securely attached to the frame. With the right tools and techniques, you can accomplish this task fairly easily and fast.

If you're ready to begin with the removal of the old window pane by removing the metal glazing points that are connected to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles which function as "nails" that keep the window in place within the frame of wood. They are submerged beneath a bead or glazing glue which hardens into an unbreakable wedge that holds the frame firmly in position and hides the sharp edges.

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 clean wooden surfaces, allowing you to paint the frames with the same color. After sanding the wood you can apply a layer flax oil. This will help extend its life.

Next, measure the dimensions of the window opening. You will need to take horizontal and vertical measurements of the entire opening, as well as the thickness of the old pane. 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 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.