You'll Never Guess This Replace Window Pane's Benefits

How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window panel replacement pane can be a nuisance. This can be an opportunity to upgrade to energy-efficient windows replacement glass or insulated ones and enjoy benefits like increased comfort, increased resale value and reduced utility bills.

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

Glass

If your single pane windows are old damaged, cracked or deteriorating replacing them with more modern glass that is tempered or insulated will increase energy efficiency and reduce noise while preserving the original character of older homes. Most homeowners with basic hand tools can repair the window pane. You will also need an extra window pane, glazier's suggestions, pliers, and latex glaze putty. If you need to, you can use a heatgun to warm the old putty. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to starting. Working with broken glass can cause serious injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. This is best accomplished with pliers, but a flathead screwdriver may be used in the pinch. Utilize a wood chisel or putty knives to remove any old putty that remains around the frame and the window sash. Be careful to not damage the window sash. Be careful and slow. It is best to do this on a stable ladder rather than on the ground and have someone standing below the sash to help keep it steady.

Once you've removed all the old putty, prepare the Replacement window panes frame to fit the new pane. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction and contraction, subtract 1/8 inch from the measurements of width and height. These measurements can be sent to an hardware or home centers store to get cut a piece of glass stock to the proper size. You can also cut the glass by yourself if you have the right tools.

After putting in the new glass Apply a small amount of caulking to the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then, place a glazier's tip on each side of the frame to secure the pane in the right place. The points shouldn't be too tight that they cause friction between the frame and sash however they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty to the surface, you must knead it thoroughly until it is smooth and free of lumps. Then you can roll it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip to the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to the other so that 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 panes replacement frame without damaging the delicate surface. It's easy to learn how to use this hidden tool and you can save money on the cost of an expert installation.

Once the old putty and glazier's points are removed, thoroughly clean the frame with a knife to eliminate any remaining residue. Lightly sand the wood into the rabbet grooves, if necessary, to smooth out rough areas. If you do sand your wood, be sure to protect it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

Take the dimensions of the frame and write down accurate measurements. These measurements can be brought to an hardware or home centers store and the new pane will be cut a bit smaller. This will ensure that the pane fits comfortably and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane in the frame and push it in place using your hand. Then, you can use the point of your chisel or back end of the putty knife to make a tap on the glazier's points as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's points should be aligned with the top edge of the pane and the shoulders should be just beneath that lip.

Apply a thin layer of glazing compound on the edges of the glass that has been made and into the rabbet grooves, to seal and protect them. Allow it to dry and cure completely.

When the glazing compound is dry it's time to put in the new window sash. First, coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will stop the new putty from sucking up the moisture and deteriorating and cracking with 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 hammer the new sash and glazier's points into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball hit or a rock thrown by error, or a tree falling can result in a cracked or cracked window. Fortunately, the majority of windows replacement glass can be replaced by simply putting a brand new piece in the proper place. The glass is held in place by a small metal clip called a glazier's point and putty, also called glazing compound. Before you install a new pane, first take out the old one and clean the area using an abrasive and the pull-type paint scraper or an abrasive wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves while doing this work. If the window is attached to the frame, you'll have to make use of a heat gun to soften the adhesive before prying it free.

If you are planning to replace 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 re-installed then, apply a new caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure it won't leak or discolor as time passes.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets, or the grooves in the sash, where the glass is. If they're difficult to cut out, try holding a hand tool like a heat gun to soften them first. When using a heated tool, be sure to not scratch the sash and its railings.

After the old glazing points and putty are removed, prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your fingers and make it around 1/2 inch thick. Press it into the rabbets where the glass will be placed. The glass must rest against the putty on both sides. If necessary, lightly tap your glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is damaged, you can use the silicone caulk or glass glue made from solvents to seal the crack prior to pressing it into the sash. Otherwise, you'll need to apply putty over the crack to form a tight seal and keep water out. After the putty has dried clean the oily film off the glass and let it dry completely before you paint. Paint before the putty has completely dried. It won't form a good seal and could discolor or leak over time.

Paint

If you've had a broken window pane, you may be concerned about the expense of replacing it. The truth is, replacing a single pane glass doesn't need to be costly when you do it on your own. Even a replacement double glazed window-paned window can be replaced for a fraction of what it will cost a professional.

First, if you're working on a large window, 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 begin taking down the old window pane. Remove the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles that act as "nails" which hold the window in place in the wood frame. They are placed beneath a layer of glazing putty that hardens into a solid, molded wedge which holds the window in place and conceals the points.

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

The next step is to determine the size 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 get the exact measurement for the new pane. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass during seasons of change. Take these dimensions to your local 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.