How to
Replace Window Pane Window Panes
A damaged window pane can be an issue. This could be an opportunity to upgrade to energy-efficient windows or insulated ones to enjoy benefits such as improved comfort, increased resale values and reduced utility costs.
It's a project you can do yourself for less than the cost of hiring a professional. You only need the appropriate tools and a few hours of your time.
Glass
If your single-pane windows are old damaged, cracked or deteriorating, replacing them with newer insulated or tempered glass can increase energy efficiency and decrease noise while preserving the historical integrity of older homes. The process of replacing a window pane is relatively easy and
Replace window pane can be accomplished by anyone with basic hand tools. In addition to a new pane, the following items are required for the
replacement double glazed window process: latex glazing putty pliers, glazier's points and replacement windows near me (
en.easypanme.com) an electric heater to warm the old putty if required. Before beginning, wear protective gloves and goggles since working with broken glass may cause injuries.
Take away any broken glass pieces that remain. This is best accomplished with a pair of pliers, but flathead screwdrivers can work in a pinch. Then, use a wood chisel, or putty knife, to remove the remaining old putty from around the frame and sash. Be careful not to scratch the window sash. Take your time and work slowly. This can be done best on a ladder, not on the ground. Also, have someone lower to keep it in place.
Prepare the window frame to accept the new pane after you have removed the old glue. Take measurements of the width and height of the opening in the sash by subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). These measurements can be taken to a home center or hardware store to have a piece cut of stock glass to the right size. Alternatively, you can cut the glass yourself, if you have the right tools.
After putting in the new pane, run a small bead of caulking around the edges to ensure it is weatherproof. Then, you can install a glazier's pointing on each side of the frame to hold the pane in its place. The points shouldn't be too tight that they create friction between the frame and sash but they shouldn't be too loose.
Before applying the putty knead it thoroughly until it's soft and free of lumps. Roll it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be placed in the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to another so that it is even and smooth.
Glazier's Points
The glazier's points are the tiny triangular pieces of steel that allow glass to be secured into a window frame without scratching or damaging the fragile surface. Learning how to use these hidden little helpers is easy and could save you money on a professional installation or the cost of buying new glass.
After taking off the old putty, glazier points as well as any remaining residue clean the frame thoroughly with an utility knife. Lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves 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 record precise measurements. Take these dimensions to an hardware store or home center and request that the new pane cut slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a snug fit, and allow for expansion and contraction.
Place the new pane in the frame and push it in using your hands. Use the point of the chisel or the back of the putty blade to tap the glaziers' points as shown in Figure 11. When you're done, they should be in line with the top edge of the pane and the raised shoulders of the points should be below the rabbet's lip. groove.
Apply a small amount of glazing compound over the edges of the glass that has been made and into the rabbet grooves, to seal and protect them. Allow it to dry and cure completely.
Install the new window sash once the glazing compound has dried. The first step is to coat the wood with a heavy coat of linseed oil. This will stop the new putty drying out or cracking due to the moisture it absorbs. Use a brush to apply this coat, or the tip of the putty blade. Then, use the chisel on the back of the tool or the back of the putty handle to gently hit the new sash, or glazier's point into grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches along the perimeter of the frame.
Putty
A baseball that is thrown, an errant rock or falling branch could cause a window to break or crack. The majority of windows can be repaired easily by putting in a new piece. The glass is held in place with tiny metal clips known as a glazier's point and putty, also called glazing compound. Before you install a new pane, first take out the old one and
Replace Window Pane clean the area with an abrasive and the 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 need to use a heat gun to soften the adhesive prior to taking it off.
If you're planning to install the original sash, remove the molding pieces that secure the old pane. Sand the sash until it is flat and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is installed and sanded, apply a fresh silicone caulk to the glass to ensure it won't leak or discolor over time.
Remove the glazing points from the rabbets. These are the grooves in the sash where the glass is located. If they're difficult to chisel, hold an instrument like a heat gun over them for a few minutes to soften them. If you're using a heat gun, make sure not to damage the sash or its railings by holding the tool too close.
Once the old points of glazing and putty have been removed, make a bed for the new pane. 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. The glass must rest against the putty on both sides. If necessary, lightly tap your glass into the rabbet using your thumb.
If the new pane has damaged, you can use a silicone caulk or glass glue that is based on solvents to seal the crack before pressing it into the sash. If the crack isn't sealed, you will need to use putty to keep water out. After the putty has dried clean the oily film from the glass and allow it to dry completely before you paint. Paint before the putty is completely dry. It will not form a good seal and could be leaking or discoloring over time.
Paint
You might be worried about replacing a broken piece of glass. It's true that replacing a single pane glass doesn't have to be expensive if you do it on your own. In fact even windows with double panes can be replaced for a fraction of the cost of a professional.
If you are working with a large glass window first ensure it is securely fixed to the frame. With the right tools and techniques you can complete this task easily and quick.
When you are ready to begin with the removal of the window pane. Take out the metal glazing points attached to it. These are small metal triangles that function as "nails", holding the window in the frame. They are buried beneath a bead or glazing putty which hardens into an unbreakable wedge that holds the frame firmly in position and hides the sharp edges.
After taking off the old pane clean the frame and the wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used and sand the rabbet grooves in which the glazing points were. These should be sanded to bare wood, so that you can paint them the same color as the rest the frame. After sanding the wood then apply a layer of flax oil. This will help to extend its life.
Then, you need to measure the width of the window opening. You'll need to determine the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the entire opening as well as the thickness.