How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane could be a nuisance. It could also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows and benefit from more comfort, higher resale value and reduced utility bills.

It’s a project you can tackle yourself at less than the cost of hiring a professional. It requires the right tools and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

If your single-pane windows are old damaged, cracked or deteriorating, replacing them with newer glass that is tempered or insulated will increase energy efficiency and reduce noise while also preserving the original character of older homes. The procedure of replacing windows is easy and can be accomplished by homeowners with basic hand tools. You will also require an extra window pane, glazier’s tips pliers, and latex glaze putty. If needed you may use a heatgun to warm the old putty. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to beginning. Working with broken glass could result in serious injuries.

Take out any broken glass pieces that remain. This is best done using pliers, however, a flathead screwdriver may be effective in the pinch. Utilize a wood chisel or putty knives, to take away any old putty remaining 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 do this using a sturdy ladder instead of the ground and have someone stand below the sash to help hold it in place.

Once you have removed all of the old putty, prepare the replacement window locks frame to fit the new pane. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction and contraction, subtract 1/8 inch from the measurements of the width and height. These measurements can be sent to a home center or hardware store to get an item cut from glass that is in stock to the correct 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 should not be so tight as to cause friction between the sash and the frame but they should not be too loose.

Before applying the putty to the surface, knead thoroughly until it is smooth and free of lumps. Cut it into pencil-sized pieces. The first strip should be placed to the corner of the frame, working from one corner to the next to ensure it is even and smooth.

Glazier’s Points

The glazier’s points are small triangular metal pieces that help secure the glass into the window frame without causing damage to the delicate surface. It’s easy to understand how to use this secret tool, and you’ll be able to save money on the expense of an expert installation.

After the old putty and the glazier’s points have been removed, thoroughly clean the frame using a utility knife to eliminate any remaining traces. If necessary, lightly sand the wood in the grooves of the rabbets to smooth rough areas. If you decide to sand the wood, make sure to protect it with painter’s tape to avoid accidental damage.

Write down the dimensions of the frame. Bring these measurements to a hardware store or home center, and have the new pane made slightly smaller than the frame’s opening. This will ensure that the pane fits comfortably and allows for expansion and contraction.

Insert the new pane into the frame and push it in using your hands. Then, you can use the point of your chisel, or the back of the putty knife to make a tap on the glazier’s points, as shown in Figure 11. After you’re done, the points should be level with the top edge of the pane and the shoulders of the points should be below the rabbet’s lip. groove.

Apply a thin layer of glazing compound on the rabbet grooves and edges of the glass. This will protect and seal the edges. Allow this to dry and cure fully.

Install the new window sash once the glazing compound has dried. First, you need to 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 putty knife, then use the chisel or the back end from the putty knife to gently hammer in the new sash and glazier’s point into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process every 10 inches around the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown at you, an errant rock or a falling branch can cause a window pane to break or crack. The majority of windows glass replacement near me can be repaired easily by simply putting in a fresh piece. The glass is held in place by a small metal clip, referred to as a glazier’s point and putty. This compound is also known as glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area with an abrasive, pull-type scraper, or a wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while doing this work. You’ll need a heat gun if the window is glued into the frame.

If you’re planning to install the original sash, remove the molding pieces that are used to secure the old pane. Sand the sash until it is flat and ready to receive new caulk. Once the sash is put back in place, you can apply a silicone caulk on the glass. This will ensure that it won’t be leaking or fade over time.

Take out the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash where the glass is located. If they are hard to chisel, hold the hand tool, such as a heating gun over them for a few minutes to soften them. If you’re using a heating gun, be careful not to scratch the railings of the sash or the sash itself by using the tool too closely.

Once the old glaze points and putty have been removed, make a bed for the new pane. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, forming it to be about 1/2-inch thick. Then, you can press it into the rabbets where the glass will be. It’s important that the glass is positioned against the putty on both sides If you have to tap it, gently press the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked you can fill it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk prior pressing it into the sash. Otherwise, you’ll need to apply putty over the crack to form a tight seal and keep water out. Once the putty is dry remove the oily film off the glass and let it dry completely before you paint. Paint before the putty has dried completely. It will not create a solid seal and may leak or discolor with time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a broken piece of glass. In reality, replacing a single piece of glass doesn’t need to be expensive when you do it on your own. Even a replacement double glazed windows-paned window can be replaced at a fraction of the cost it costs a professional.

If you are working on a large-sized window replacements near me, make sure that it is securely attached to the frame. This can be done relatively easy and fast using the proper tools and techniques.

When you are ready to start with the removal of the window pane. Pry out the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. These are tiny triangles of metal which act as “nails” that hold the window in the frame. They are placed under a bead or glazing putty which hardens into solid wedge that holds the frame securely in place and hides the points.

After removing the old pane, clean the frame and wood. Scrape away any old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were. Sand them down to bare wooden surfaces, allowing you to paint the frames with the same color. After sanding the wood you can apply a layer flax oil. This will help to extend its life.

Then, take measurements of the dimensions of the window opening. You will need to measure the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the entire opening, as well as the thickness. To get the exact size of the new pane, subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass during seasons of changes. Bring these measurements to your local hardware or home improvement store, and they will have cut the glass for you.

Now, it’s time to bed the new replacement window near me 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.