You'll Never Be Able To Figure Out This Replace Window Pane's Secrets

How to replace Window pane Window Panes

A damaged window pane could be a nuisance. It could also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows to enjoy benefits such as greater comfort, a higher resale value and reduced utility costs.

It's a project you can do yourself for a fraction of the cost of hiring an expert. You'll need only the proper tools and a few hours of your time.

Glass

If your single-pane windows are old broken, deteriorating or damaged replacing them with more modern insulated or tempered glass can improve energy efficiency and reduce noise while preserving the historical integrity of older homes. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can repair a window pane. You will also need a replacement window pane, glazier's tips, pliers, and latex glazing putty. If necessary, you can make use of a heat gun to warm the old putty. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to beginning. Working with broken glass could cause serious injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. This is best accomplished with a pair of pliers, but a flathead screwdriver can also be effective in a pinch. Utilize a wood chisel or putty knives, to take away any remaining old putty around the frame and window sash. Be careful and slow making sure not to break the existing window sash. It is a good idea to work on a sturdy ladder instead of the ground and place someone on the sash to help keep it steady.

Prepare the window replacements frame to accept the new pane after you have removed the old putty. 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 sent to a home center or hardware store to have cut a piece of stock glass to the right size. Alternatively, you can cut the glass yourself, if you have the tools you need.

After putting in the new glass, apply caulking to the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then install a glazier's point on each side of the frame to secure the pane into its place. The points should not be too tight that they create friction between the frame and the sash however they should not 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. Apply the first strip in the corner of the frame, working from one corner to the next so that it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

The glazier’s points are small triangular metal pieces that allow glass to be secured to the frame without causing any damage to the fragile surface. It's easy to understand how to use this secret tool and you can save money on the expense of an installation by a professional.

Once the old putty and the glazier's point are gone, thoroughly clean the frame with a utility knife to get rid of any remaining traces. Lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves if needed to smooth rough areas. If you decide to sand wood, cover it with painter's tape to protect it from damage caused by accidental sanding.

Write down the exact dimensions of the frame. These measurements can be brought to the hardware or home center store, and the new pane will be cut to a smaller size. This will ensure that the pane fits comfortably and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane in the frame and push it into place firmly by using your hands. Use the point of the chisel, or the back of the putty knife to tap the glazier's points, as shown in Figure 11. When you're done, they should be flush with the top edge of the pane, and the raised shoulders of the points should be just below the lip of the rabbet groove.

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

Install the new window sash once the glazing compound has dried. First, saturate the wood with a thick coat of Linseed oil. This will prevent the newly-created putty from drying out or cracking due to the moisture it absorbs. Apply this coat with a brush or the edge of your putty knife, then use the chisel, or the back end from the putty knife to gently hammer in the new sash and glazier's tips into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches along the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A baseball hit or a rock thrown in error, or a fallen tree could result in a broken or cracked window pane. The majority of windows can be replaced by simply putting in a fresh piece. The glass is held in place by a small metal clip, also known as a glazier's point and putty. This compound is also known as glazing compound. Before installing a replacement pane, first take out the old one and clean the area with an abrasive and a pull-type paint scraper or a wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while doing this work. You'll require a heat gun if the window is glued to the frame.

If you plan to reinstall the original sash in the future, Replace window pane take care to remove any pieces of molding that secure the old pane. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready to receive new caulk. Once the sash is put back in place, you can apply a silicone caulk to the glass. This will ensure that it won't get soiled or discolor over time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash, which is where the glass is. If they are hard to chisel, use a hand tool such as a heatgun over them to allow them to soften before. If you're using a heat gun, be careful not to damage the railings of the sash or the sash itself by using the tool too closely.

Prepare a bed for your new pane by removing the old putty and glazing points. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, and form it to be about 1/2-inch thick. Place it into the rabbets, where the glass will be put. It's important that the glass rests against the putty on both sides If you have to, lightly tap the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane has cracked, you can use a silicone caulk or glass glue based on solvents to fill in the crack prior to pressing it into the sash. In other cases, you'll need to apply putty on the crack to create an impervious seal to keep water out. Once the putty is dry clean the oily film off of the glass and allow it to dry completely before painting. Paint after the putty is completely dry. It will not make a strong seal and could leak or discolor with time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a broken piece of glass. In reality, replacing a single piece of glass doesn't need to be costly when you do it on your own. Even double-paned windows can be replaced for a fraction of what it will cost a professional.

First, if you are working on a large window, ensure that it is securely fastened to the frame. This can be done relatively easy and quick with the proper tools and techniques.

If you're ready to begin, begin by removing the old window by prying out the metal glazing points that are attached to it. These are small metal triangles which act as "nails" that hold the window replacement within the frame. They are buried under a bead of glazing putty that transforms into a solid molded wedge which holds the window in place and hides the points.

After removal of the old pane clean the frame and the wood. Scrape away any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves, where the glazing points were. These should be sanded to the point of being bare, so that you can paint them the same shade as the rest of the frame. After sanding the wood you can apply a layer flax oil. This will help to prolong the life of the frame.

Then, you need to measure the size of the window's opening. You will need to take vertical and horizontal measurements of the entire opening, and also the thickness of the old pane. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure you get the exact measurement for the new pane. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass during seasonal changes. You can bring these measurements to a hardware or home improvement store 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.