20 Reasons Why Replace Window Pane Will Never Be Forgotten

How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window can be a source of frustration. It could also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows and enjoy benefits such as more comfort, higher resale value and reduced utility costs.

It's a task you can tackle yourself at a fraction of the cost of hiring a professional. It requires the right tools and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

Replace your single-paned windows with tempered or insulated glass to increase energy efficiency, cut down on noise, and protect the historic integrity of your home's older. Most homeowners with basic hand tools can repair windows with ease. You'll also require a replacement double glazed windows window pane, glazier's tips pliers, and latex glaze putty. If necessary, you can use a heating gun to warm the old putty. Wear safety glasses and gloves prior to beginning. Working with broken glass can cause serious injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. This is best accomplished with the help of pliers but flathead screwdrivers can work in the pinch. Make use of a wood chisel or putty knives to remove any old putty remaining around the frame and the window sash. Be careful not to break the window sash. Take your time and work slowly. This is best done on a ladder, not on the ground. Also, ensure that someone lower to hold it steady.

Once you've removed all the old putty, prepare the window frame for the new pane. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction and contraction, subtract 1/8 inch from the measurements of width and height. Take these measurements to the nearest hardware store or home center, and find a piece glass cut to size. You can cut the glass yourself if you possess the appropriate tools.

After putting the new pane in place, run a small bead of caulking around the edge to ensure it is weatherproof. Install a glazier's pointing on both sides of the frame. This will secure the pane. The points should not be too tight that they cause friction between the frame and sash However, they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty on the surface, you must knead it thoroughly until it is smooth and free of lumps. Make it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be placed to the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to another to ensure it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are the tiny triangular pieces of steel that allow glass to be secured into frames for windows without scratching or replacement glass for windows damaging the fragile surface. It's easy to learn how to use this secret tool and you can save money on the cost of an installation by a professional.

After taking off the old putty, glazier points as well as any remaining leftovers Clean the frame thoroughly with an utility knife. Lightly sand the wood into the rabbet grooves, if necessary, to smooth out rough areas. If you sand wood protect it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

Measure the empty frame's dimensions and note down precise measurements. These measurements can be taken to an hardware or home centers store, and the new frame will be cut to a smaller size. This will ensure that the pane fits perfectly and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and push it into the frame using your hand. Then, you can use the point of your chisel, or the back of the putty knife to tap in the glazier's points as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's point should be flush against the top edge of your pane, and the raised shoulders should be just below the lip.

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

Install the new window sash after the glazing compound has dried. The first step is to coat the wood with a heavy coat of Linseed oil. This will prevent the newly-created putty from drying out and cracking when it absorbs moisture. Apply this coat using a brush or the edge of your putty knife, and then employ the chisel or back end of the putty knife to gently hammer the new sash and glazier's points into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process every 10 inches around the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown at you or an unintentional rock, or falling branch could cause a window pane to crack or break. Fortunately, the majority of windows can be repaired by simply putting a brand new piece of glass in its the right place. The glass is held in place by small clips made of metal called the glazier's pointed and putty, which is often called glazing compound. Before installing a new pane, first take out the old one and clean up the area with an abrasive and the pull-type paint scraper or the wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves while you do this work. You'll need a heat gun if the window is glued into the frame.

If you are planning to replace the original sash, remove any molding pieces that secure the old pane. 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 as time passes.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash, where the glass is. If they're difficult to cut, place an instrument such as a heatgun over them to soften first. If you're using a heating gun, make sure not to cause damage to the railings of the sash or the sash itself by holding the tool too closely.

Prepare a bed for your new pane after removing the old putty and glazing points. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your fingers and make it around 1/2 inch thick. Then, press it into the rabbets, where the glass will be. It's important that the glass sits on the putty on both sides If you have to do so, gently tap the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked you can fill it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk prior pressing it into the sash. Otherwise, you'll need to putty over the crack to create an airtight seal and keep water out. After the putty has dried then clean the oily film off the glass with the help of a rag. Allow it to dry completely prior to painting. Paint before the putty has completely dried. It will not make a strong seal and could discolor or leak over time.

Paint

If you've had a broken window pane, you may be concerned about the expense of a new one. However, replacing a single glass pane doesn't have to break the bank If you can do it yourself. Even a double-paned window can be replaced at a fraction of the cost it will cost an expert.

If you're working with a large glass window first, ensure that it is securely fixed to the frame. Using the proper tools and techniques to complete this task easily and fast.

Once you're ready to begin with the removal of the old window pane by prying out the metal glazing points that are attached to it. These are essentially small metal triangles that function as "nails" that keep the window in place in the wood frame. They are submerged beneath a bead or glazing putty that hardens to solid wedge which holds the wood frame in place and hides the sharp edges.

After removal of the old pane clean the frame and wood. Scrape off any old paint, and sand the rabbet grooves in which the glazing points were placed. These should be sanded to bare wood, to allow you to paint them the same shade as the rest of the frame. After sanding, apply a coat of flax oil on the bare wood to prolong its life.

The next step is to measure the dimensions of the window pane replacement's opening. It is necessary to measure the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the entire opening, as well as the thickness. To determine the exact dimensions 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. Take these dimensions to a hardware or home improvement store and ask them to cut you 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.