How to Replace Window Pane Window Panes
A cracked window pane can cause a lot of trouble. It can also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows and benefit from greater comfort, a higher resale value and reduced utility costs.
This is a project you could take on yourself for only a fraction of the cost of hiring a professional. It requires the right tools and only an hour or two of your time.
Glass
If your single-pane windows are old broken, deteriorating or damaged replacing them with more modern glass that is tempered or insulated can improve energy efficiency and reduce noise while preserving the original character of older homes. Most homeowners with basic hand tools can replace a window pane. You will also require an extra window pane, glazier’s tips pliers, and latex glazing putty. If needed, you can make use of a heat gun to warm the old putty. Wear safety glasses and gloves prior to starting. Working with broken glass can cause serious injuries.
Take out any broken glass pieces remaining. It is recommended to use pliers, but a flathead can work equally. Make use of a wood chisel or putty knife to get rid of any old putty remaining around the frame and the window sash. Work slowly and carefully, taking care not to break the current window sash. This can be done best on an elevated ladder, not on the ground. Also, you should have someone on the ground to hold it steady.
Prepare the window frame 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 the width and height. Take these measurements to the nearest hardware store or home center and get a piece of stock glass cut to size. You can also cut the glass by yourself if you have the appropriate tools.
After installing the new glass, Replace window pane apply a small amount of caulking on the edges. This will make the glass weatherproof. Install a glazier’s pointing on both sides of the frame. This will help secure the pane. The points should not be so 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 from lumps. Then, roll it into pencil-size strips. The first strip should be glued to the frame’s corner. Work from one corner to another, making sure it is even and smooth.
Glazier’s Points
The glazier’s facets are small triangular pieces which help to secure glass into frames for windows without scratching or damaging the delicate surface. It’s simple to learn how to use this hidden tool, and you’ll be able to save money on the cost of an installation by a professional.
After the old putty and glazier’s points are removed, thoroughly clean the frame using a utility knife to eliminate any remaining residue. Lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves, if necessary, to smooth rough areas. If you do sand your wood, make sure to protect it with painter’s tape to avoid accidental damage.
Note down the exact dimensions of the frame. These dimensions can be taken to an hardware or home centers store and the new pane will be cut to a smaller size. This will ensure a secure fit and will allow room for expansion and contraction.
Place the new pane in the frame and push it in with your hands. Then, use the tip of your chisel, or the back end of the putty knife to make a tap on the glazier’s points as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier’s point should be in line with the top edge of your pane, and the shoulders raised should be just below the lip.
Apply a thin layer of glazing compound on the edges of the new glass and in the rabbet grooves, to seal and protect them. Let it dry and cure completely.
Install the new window sash after the glazing compound has dried. The first step is to coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will stop the new putty from soaking up the moisture and drying out and cracking with time. Apply this coat using a brush or the tip of your knife, then use the chisel, or the back end of the putty knife to gently hammer in the new sash and glazier’s tips into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches around the frame.
Putty
A hurled baseball or a rock that is errant or falling branch could cause a window to break or crack. Most windows replacement can be replaced by putting in a new 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. Before installing a new pane, first get rid of the old one and clean the area using an abrasive and an abrasive scraper that is a pull type or an abrasive wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves when working. If the window is secured to the frame, you’ll need use a heat gun to soften the adhesive before taking it off.
If you’re planning to reinstall the original sash, take off the molding that supports the old pane. Then sand the sash to make sure it’s flat and ready to be re-caulked. Once the sash is installed and sanded, apply a fresh caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure it won’t leak or discolor over time.
Take out the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves in the sash where the glass is located. If they’re hard to chisel out, you can try holding a hand tool like a heat gun over them to soften them before you do. If you’re using a heating gun, be cautious not to scratch the sash or its railings by using the tool too closely.
Create a bed for your new pane after you have removed the old glaze points and putty. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, and form it to be around 1/2-inch thick. Then, you can press it into the rabbets where the glass will rest. The glass must rest against the putty on both sides. If necessary gently tap your glass into the rabbet using your thumb.
If the new pane is cracked you can fill it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk before pressing it into the sash. If not, you’ll have to apply putty over the crack to form an airtight seal and keep water out. Once the putty is dry remove the oily film from the glass and let it dry completely before painting. If you paint before the putty has completely dry, it will not form an effective seal and could be leaking or discoloring in time.
Paint
If you’ve experienced a broken window pane, then you may be worried about the cost of replacing it. The truth is, replacing a single pane of glass doesn’t have to be costly when you do it on your own. In fact even windows with double panes can be replaced at less than the cost of an expert.
If you are working on a large window, ensure that it is securely fixed to the frame. This can be done relatively easy and fast with the appropriate tools and techniques.
Once you’re ready to begin taking off the old window pane by prying out the metal glazing points that are connected to it. These are tiny triangles of metal which act as «nails» that hold the window in place. They are submerged beneath a bead or glazing glue that sets to form an unbreakable wedge that holds the frame in place and hides the points.
After you have the old pane taken away clean the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape off any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points used to be. Sand them to bare wooden surfaces so you can paint the frames with the same color. After sanding the wood you can apply a layer flax oil. This will help to prolong the life of the frame.
The next step is to determine the width of the window’s opening. You’ll need to determine the horizontal and vertical 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 allow for seasonal changes in the glass. You can bring these measurements to a 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 Replace window pane 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.