15 Things You've Never Known About Replace Window Pane

How to replace window pane Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window is an inconvenience. This could be an opportunity to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones to enjoy benefits such as improved comfort, increased resale values and reduced utility bills.

You can do it yourself for a less than what it would cost to employ an expert. It requires the right equipment and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

Replace your single-paned windows with tempered or insulate glass to improve the efficiency of your energy, reduce noise, and preserve the historical integrity of your older home. The replacement of windows is easy and can be completed by homeowners with basic hand tools. You'll also require an extra window pane, glazier's suggestions, pliers, and latex glazing putty. If needed you can use a heating gun to warm the old putty. Before starting, wear gloves and safety glasses as working with broken glass can cause injuries.

Take out any broken glass pieces that remain. This is best done using the help of pliers however, a flathead screwdriver may be effective in a pinch. Utilize a wood chisel or putty knife to get rid of any remaining old putty around the frame and window sash. Take your time and work slowly, taking care not to damage the old window sash. It is best to do this on a stable ladder rather than the ground and to have someone stand below the sash to help hold it in place.

Make sure that the window frame is ready to accept the new pane once you have removed the old putty. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction by subtracting 1/8 inch from the measurements of width and height. These measurements can be sent to an hardware or home centers store to get a piece cut of glass stock to the proper size. You can also cut the glass yourself, if you have the appropriate tools.

After putting in the new glass, apply some caulking around the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Install a glazier's point on both sides of the frame. This will help secure the pane. The points shouldn't be so tight that they cause friction between the sash and the frame but they shouldn't be too loose.

Before applying the putty on the surface, knead thoroughly until it becomes soft and free of lumps. Then you can roll it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be glued to the corner of the frame. Work from one corner to the next to ensure it's even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are tiny triangular metal pieces that help secure the glass into the window frame without damaging the delicate surface. It's easy to learn how to use this nefarious tool and you can save money on the expense of a professional installation.

After the old putty as well as the glazier's points have been removed Clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife to remove any remaining traces. Lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves to smooth out rough areas. If you sand wood, protect it with painter’s tape to prevent accidental damage.

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

Place the new pane into the frame and press it down with your hands. Make use of the chisel's point, or the back of the putty knife to smudge the glazier's points as shown in Figure 11. When you're done, they should be level with the top edge of the pane. the shoulders that are raised of the points should be below the lip of the rabbet groove.

Apply a small amount of glazing compound over the edges of the new glass and into the rabbet grooves, to seal and protect them. Let it dry and cure completely.

Install the new window sash once the glazing compound has dried. First, coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will stop the new putty from sucking in the moisture and deteriorating and cracking with time. 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 points into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches along the frame's perimeter.

Putty

A baseball hit or a rock thrown in error, or a tree falling can cause a broken or cracked window. Most windows can be replaced easily by putting in a new piece. The glass is held into position by a small metal clip, referred to as a glazier’s point and putty. This compound is also referred to as glazing compound. Before you install a new pane, first remove the old one and clean up the area using the help of a rag, a pull-type paint scraper or an abrasive wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while working. You'll need a heating gun when the window glass replacement is fixed to the frame.

If you are planning to replace your original sash, you must remove the mold that holds the old pane. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready to receive new caulk. Once the sash is re-installed and sanded, apply a fresh caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure it doesn't swell or fade as time passes.

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets and the grooves in the sash, where the glass is. If they're difficult to work out, try holding an instrument like a heat gun to soften them first. When using a heated tool, make sure to avoid damaging the sash and its railings.

Once the old points of glazing and putty are removed, prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your hands, forming it to be 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 necessary, lightly tap your glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has cracked, you can use a silicone caulk or glass glue made from solvents to cover the crack prior to pressing it in the sash. If the crack isn't sealed, you'll require putty to keep water from getting in. When the putty dries and the film is oily, wipe it off the glass with a rag and allow it to dry completely prior to painting. If you paint before the putty is completely dry, it won't form a strong seal and may leak or discolor over time.

Paint

If you've had a broken window pane, you may be worried about the cost of a new one. However, replacing a single glass pane doesn't require a huge amount of money if you do it yourself. Even double-paned windows can be replaced for a fraction of what it would cost a professional.

If you are working with a large glass window first, ensure that it is securely attached to the frame. This task can be made relatively simple and fast with the appropriate tools and techniques.

When you are ready to start, remove the old window pane. Take out the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. These are tiny metal triangles that act as "nails" to hold the window within the frame. They are placed under a bead of glazing putty, which transforms into a solid moulded wedge that secures the window in place and hides the window's points.

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. Sand them 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. It is necessary to take vertical and horizontal measurements of the entire opening as well as the thickness of the old pane. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure you have the exact size for the new pane. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass during seasons of change. You can bring these measurements to a hardware store 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 replace window pane as the frame to prevent water and air from leaking into the frame and causing fogging.