How to Replace Replacement Window pane Panes

A damaged window replacements pane could be a source of frustration. It can also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows to reap benefits like improved comfort, increased resale value and reduced utility bills.

You can do it yourself for a only a fraction of the cost it would cost to employ an expert. It requires the right tools and only an hour or two of your time.

Glass

If your single-pane windows are outdated broken, deteriorating or damaged, replacing them with newer glass that is tempered or insulated can improve energy efficiency and reduce noise while preserving the historical integrity of older homes. The process of replacing a window pane is relatively easy and can be completed by most homeowners who possess basic hand tools. In addition to a new pane, the following items are needed: latex glazing putty; Glazier's points; pliers and an electric heater to warm the old putty, if needed. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to beginning. Working with broken glass could cause serious injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. It is recommended to use pliers however a flathead could work as well. Make use of a wood chisel or putty knives, to take away any old putty remaining around the frame and the window sash. Be careful to not scratch the window replacement panes sash. Work slowly and carefully. It is a good idea to do this on a sturdy ladder rather than the ground, and to have someone stand below the sash to help hold it in place.

Once you have removed all of the old putty, you can prepare the window frame to fit the new pane. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction, subtract 1/8 inch each from the measurements of the width and height. These measurements can be taken to a home center or hardware store to get a piece cut of stock glass to the right size. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself, if you have the tools you need.

After putting the new pane in place after installing the new pane, put a tiny amount of caulking along the edge to make it weatherproof. Install a glazier’s point on both sides of the frame. This will secure the pane. The points shouldn't be so tight that they cause friction between the sash and the frame however they shouldn't be loose.

Before applying the putty, work it in a gentle manner until it is soft and free of lumps. Make it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be placed to the corner of the frame, working from one corner to the other to ensure it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular pieces of metal which help to secure the glass to the frame without causing any damage to the fragile surface. Learning how to use these little helpers is easy and could save you money on a professional installation or the cost of new glass.

After the old putty and the glazier's point are gone, thoroughly clean the frame using a utility knife to remove any remaining traces. If necessary you can lightly sand the wood along the rabbet grooves to smooth rough areas. If you do sand the wood, make sure to protect it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

Take the dimensions of the frame and record precise measurements. Bring these measurements to an hardware store or home center and have the new pane made slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a snug fit and will allow room for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and press it down with your hands. Use the point of the chisel, or the back of the putty blade to tap in the glazier's points as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's points should be flush against the top edge of your pane, and the shoulders should be just below the lip.

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

When the glazing compound is dry and the glazing compound is dry, you can install the new window sash. First, coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will prevent the newly-created putty drying out or cracking due to the moisture it absorbs. Apply this coat with a brush or the tip of your knife, and then employ the chisel or back end of the putty knife to gently press the new sash and glazier's points into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A hurled baseball or an unintentional rock, or a fallen branch can cause a window pane to crack or break. Fortunately, windows can be easily replaced by simply putting a brand new piece of glass in its the right place. The glass is held in place with a small metal clip called the glazier's pointed and putty, often called glazing compound. Before installing a new pane, first get rid of the old one and clean up the area with the help of a rag, an abrasive scraper that is a pull type or the wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while working. If the window replacement glass is glued to the frame, you'll need make use of a heat gun to soften the adhesive prior to prying it free.

If you plan to reinstall the original sash in the future, take care to remove any pieces of molding that are used to secure the old pane. Then sand the sash to ensure it's level and ready for new caulk. After the sash has been installed it is possible to apply a silicone caulk over the glass. This will ensure that it won't get soiled or discolor over time.

Remove the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves in the sash, which is where the glass is located. If they're difficult to work out, try placing the hand tool, such as a heat gun to soften them before you do. If you're using a heated gun, be cautious not to cause damage to the sash or its railings by placing the tool too tightly.

Prepare the bed for your new pane after removing the old glaze and putty. Roll a rope made of glazing compound between your fingers, and make it around 1/2 inch thick. Place it into the rabbets where the glass will be placed. The glass should rest against the putty on both sides. If you need to, lightly tap your glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane is damaged, you can use a silicone caulk or glass glue based on solvents to cover the crack before pressing it in the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you'll need to use putty to keep the water out. After the putty has dried, clean the oily film off the glass with a rag 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 might be worried about replacing a broken piece of glass. But the truth is that replacing a single glass pane doesn't need to cost a fortune If you can do it yourself. In fact even windows with double panes can be replaced at only a fraction of the cost of an expert.

First, if you're working on a large-sized window, make sure that it is securely fastened to the frame. This job can be done relatively easy and fast with the right tools and techniques.

If you're ready to begin taking off the old window pane by removing the metal glazing points that are connected to it. These are basically small metal triangles that function as "nails" that hold the replacement window glass in place in the wood frame. They are buried beneath a glaze putty or bead which hardens into solid wedge which holds the wood frame in place and hides the sharp edges.

After taking off the old pane clean the frame and wood. Scrape off any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were. They should be sanded to the point of being bare, so that you can paint them the same color as the rest of the frame. After sanding, apply a coat of flax oil to the bare wood to help extend its lifespan.

Next, measure the dimensions of the replacement window locks's opening. It is necessary to measure the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the entire opening as well as the thickness. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure that you have the exact size for the new pane. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. Take these measurements to your local hardware or home improvement store and have a piece 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.