How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane can be an issue. It could also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows to benefit from improved comfort, increased resale value and reduced utility bills.

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

Glass

If your single pane windows are old, deteriorating or broken replacing them with modern glass that is tempered or insulated will increase energy efficiency and decrease noise while maintaining the historic integrity of older homes. The process of replacing windows is simple and can be done by most homeowners who possess basic hand tools. In addition to a replacement pane, the following components are required for the windowpane replacement process: latex glazing putty glazier’s points; pliers; and an electric heater to warm the old putty, if necessary. Before beginning, wear gloves and safety glasses as working with broken glass can cause injuries.

Take away any broken glass pieces remaining. This is best done using pliers, though using a flathead screwdriver can also be effective in the pinch. Make use of a wood chisel or putty knives to remove any old putty that remains around the frame and window sash. Be careful to not damage the window replacement glass Near Me sash. Take your time and work slowly. This can be done best on a ladder, not the ground. Also, have someone below the sash ensure it is held steady.

Prepare the window frame to accommodate the new pane when you have removed the old putty. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction and contraction, subtract 1/8 inch from the measurements of 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 yourself if you have the tools you need.

After installing the new glass Apply a small amount of caulking around the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Install a glazier’s point on both sides of the frame. This will ensure the pane. The points shouldn’t be tight enough to cause 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 is smooth and free of lumps. Cut it into pencil-sized pieces. The first strip should be glued to the frame’s corner. Work from one corner to the next and ensure that it is even and smooth.

Glazier’s Points

The glazier’s points are small triangular metal pieces which help to secure the glass to the frame without causing damage to the delicate surface. Understanding how to use these tiny helpers is simple and could save you money on a professional installation or the cost of new glass.

After the old putty and glazier’s points are removed, thoroughly clean the frame with a utility knife to eliminate any remaining residue. If needed it is necessary to lightly sand the wood along rabbet grooves to smooth rough areas. If you sand wood, protect it with painter’s tape to avoid accidental damage.

Take the dimensions of the frame and note down precise measurements. These dimensions can be taken to the hardware or home center store and the new pane will be cut slightly smaller. This will ensure that the pane fits snugly and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and press it in place with your hand. Then, you can use the point of your chisel or back end of the putty knife to tap in the glazier’s points, as illustrated in Figure 11. After you’re done, the points should be level with the top edge of the pane, and the raised shoulders of the points should be below the rabbet’s rim groove.

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

Install the new window sash after the glazing compound has dried. First, coat the wood with a thick coat of Linseed oil. This will prevent the new putty from taking up the moisture and deteriorating and cracking over time. Apply the coat using a brush or the edge of your putty knife, then use the chisel, or the back end of the putty knife to gently press the new sash and glazier’s point into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown at you or a rock that is errant or a fallen branch can cause a window to crack or break. The majority of windows can be replaced by simply putting in a fresh piece. The glass is held in place using tiny metal clips known as 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 using 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 secured to the frame, you’ll need to employ a heat gun in order to soften the adhesive prior to prying it free.

If you’re planning to reinstall your original sash, remove the molding that supports the old pane. Then you can sand the sash down to ensure it’s smooth and ready for new caulk. After the sash has been reinstalled then, you can apply a silicone caulk over the glass. This will ensure that it doesn’t be leaking or fade over time.

Take out the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves in the sash, which is where the glass is. If they’re difficult to cut out, try placing an instrument like a heat gun over them to soften them before you do. If you’re using a heated gun, be careful not to cause damage to the railings or sash by holding the tool too tightly.

After the old glaze points and putty have been removed prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope made of glazing compound between your fingers, and then make it about 1/2 inch thick. Press it into the rabbets, where the glass will be placed. It is crucial that the glass sits on the putty in all places on each side, so if you need to tap it, gently press the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is damaged, you can use a silicone caulk or glass glue based on solvents to fill in the crack prior to pressing it into the sash. If the crack isn’t sealed, you’ll need to use putty to keep the water out. After the putty has dried then clean the oily film off the glass with an abrasive and allow it to dry completely prior to painting. If you paint before the putty has completely dry, it won’t form a strong seal and may leak or discolor in time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a damaged piece of glass. The truth is, replacing a single piece of glass doesn’t have to be expensive even if you do it your own. Even double glazing replacement window-paned windows can be replaced at a fraction of the cost it will cost for a professional.

If you are working with a large glass window, first make sure it is securely attached to the frame. With the right tools and techniques to complete this task easily and quick.

When you are ready to begin taking down the old window pane. Remove the metal glazing points attached to it. These are tiny triangles of metal that function as “nails” that hold the window in place. They are submerged under a bead of glazing putty that is then cured to form a solid, moulded wedge that holds the window firmly in place and hides the edges.

After taking off the old pane clean the frame and the wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used and sand down the rabbet grooves in which the glazing points were placed. Sand them down to clean wooden surfaces so you can paint the frames with the same color. After sanding the wood, apply a layer of flax oil. This will help to extend its life.

The next step is to determine the width of the window opening. You will need to take horizontal and vertical measurements of the entire opening, as well as the thickness of the old pane. To determine the exact dimensions of the new pane, subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. Take these measurements to the 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.