How to
Replace window Pane Window Panes
A cracked window pane is an inconvenience. This can 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 bills.
This is a project you could tackle yourself at less than the cost of hiring an expert. You only need the proper tools and a few hours of your time.
Glass
Replace your single-paned windows with tempered or insulated glass to increase energy efficiency, reduce noise, and protect the original character of your older home. The process of replacing a window pane is relatively easy and can be completed by anyone with basic hand tools. You will also need a replacement window pane, glazier's suggestions, pliers, and latex glazing putty. If necessary, you can use a heating gun to warm the old putty. Wear safety glasses and gloves before you begin. Working with broken glass could result in serious injuries.
Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. This is best accomplished with a pair of pliers, however, flathead screwdrivers can work in the pinch. Then, use a wood chisel or
Replace Window Pane putty knife take the remainder of the old putty from the frame and the sash. Be careful and slow, taking care not to break the current window sash. This is best done on a ladder, not the ground. Also, have someone on the ground to hold it steady.
Make sure that the window frame is ready to accept the new pane when you have removed the old glue. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction by subtracting 1/8 inch from the measurements of the width and height. These measurements can be taken to a home center or hardware store to have cut a piece of stock glass to the right size. You can also cut the glass by yourself if you have the appropriate tools.
After putting in the new glass Apply some caulking to the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Install a glazier's pointing on both sides of the frame. This will secure the pane. The points shouldn't be too tight that they cause friction between the frame and sash, but they also shouldn't be loose.
Before applying the putty work it in a gentle manner until it's soft and free of lumps. Make it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be glued to the corner of the frame. Work from one corner to another and ensure that it is even and smooth.
Glazier's Points
The glazier’s points are small triangular pieces of steel that help secure the glass to the frame without causing any damage to the fragile surface. It's easy to learn how to use this nefarious tool, and you'll be able to save money on the expense of a professional installation.
After removing the old putty, glazier points as well as any remaining residue, clean the frame thoroughly using an utility knife. Lightly sand the frame in the rabbet grooves to smooth rough areas. If you decide to sand the wood, ensure you protect it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.
Measure the empty frame's dimensions and write down accurate measurements. Take these measurements to an hardware store or home center and have the new pane cut slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure that the pane fits snugly and allows for expansion and contraction.
Place the new pane into the frame and push firmly with your hands. Then 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. When you're done taping, they should be level with the top edge of the pane. the raised shoulders of the points should be just below the rabbet's rim groove.
Apply a thin bead of glazing compound over the edges of the new glass and in the rabbet grooves, to seal and protect them. Allow it to dry and cure completely.
Once the glazing compound has dried and the glazing compound is dry, you can install the new window sash. First, saturate the wood with a heavy coat of Linseed oil. This will keep the new putty from soaking in the moisture and deteriorating and cracking with time. Apply this coat using a brush or the edge of your putty knife, then employ the chisel or back end from the putty knife to gently hammer in the new sash and glazier's tips into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches along the frame's perimeter.
Putty
A baseball thrown at you or an unintentional rock, or a falling branch can cause a window to break or crack. Fortunately, windows can be easily replaced by simply placing a new piece of glass in its place. The glass is held in place with tiny metal clips known as the glazier's pointed and putty, also called glazing compound. Before you install a new pane, first remove the old one and clean up the area with an abrasive and the pull-type paint scraper or a wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while you do this work. If the window is secured to the frame, you'll have to use a heat gun to soften the adhesive before prying it free.
If you plan to reinstall the original sash in the future, take care to remove the molding pieces that hold the old pane in place. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready for new caulk. After the sash has been put back in place, you can apply a silicone caulk over the glass. This will ensure that it doesn't be leaking or fade 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 chisel, use a hand tool such as a heating gun over them to allow them to soften before. When using a heat tool, be careful to avoid damaging the sash's railings and sash.
Make the bed for your new pane by removing the old putty and glazing points. Roll a rope made of glazing compound between your fingers, and make it around 1/2 inch thick. Press it into the rabbets, where the glass will be put. The glass must be positioned against the putty on both sides. If you need to, lightly tap your glass into the rabbet with your thumb.
If the new pane is cracked, you can cover it with a solvent-based glass glue or silicone caulk prior pressing it into the sash. In other cases, you'll need to apply putty on the crack to form an airtight seal and keep water out. After the putty has dried then clean the oily film off the glass using a rag and allow it to completely dry before painting. If you paint before the putty has completely dry, it won't form a solid seal and could be leaking or discoloring in time.
Paint
If you've had a broken window pane, then you may be worried about the cost of a new one. The truth is, replacing a single pane of glass doesn't have to be expensive even if you do it your own. Even a double-paned window can be replaced for a fraction of what it would cost an expert.
If you are working with a large glass window first ensure it is securely fixed to the frame. Using the proper tools and techniques, you can make this task relatively easy and speedy.
When you are ready to start with the removal of the window pane. Take out the metal glazing points that are attached to it. These are basically small metal triangles that act as "nails" that hold the
window replacement cost in place within the frame of wood. They are submerged beneath a bead or glazing glue that sets to form solid wedge which holds the wood frame in place and hides the sharp edges.
After you have the old pane taken away clean the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used, and sand the rabbet grooves in which the glazing points were. Sand them to bare wooden surfaces so you can paint the frames with the same color. After sanding the wood then apply a layer of flax oil. This will help extend its life.
Then, you need to measure the size of the window opening. You will need to measure the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the entire opening, as well as the thickness.