How to Replace Window Panes
A damaged or cracked window is an issue. It can also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows, and reap benefits like greater comfort, a higher resale value and reduced utility costs.
You can do it yourself at a fraction of what it would cost to hire an expert. You’ll need only the right tools and a few minutes 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 improve energy efficiency and reduce noise while preserving the historic integrity of older homes. The process of replacing windows is easy and can be completed by most homeowners who possess basic hand tools. You will also need a replacement windows window pane, glazier’s suggestions, pliers, and latex glaze putty. If necessary you may use a heatgun to warm the old putty. Before starting, put on protective gloves and goggles since working with broken glass could cause injuries.
Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. This can be done with a pair of pliers, however, flathead screwdrivers can be effective in a pinch. Then, use a wooden chisel or putty knife to remove the remaining old putty around the frame and sash. Be careful to not break the window sash. Work slowly and carefully. It is best to work on a sturdy ladder instead of the ground and place someone on the sash to help keep it steady.
Once you’ve removed all the old putty, prepare the window frame to accommodate the new pane. Measure the width and height of the opening for the sash by subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). These measurements can be taken to a hardware or home center store to have cut a piece of glass stock to the proper size. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself, if you have the tools you need.
After installing the glass, apply a small amount of caulking on the edges. 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 so tight that they create friction between the frame and sash, but they also should not be too loose.
Before applying the putty knead it thoroughly until it is soft and free of lumps. Roll it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be glued to the corner of the frame. Work from one corner to another, making sure it is even and smooth.
Glazier’s Points
The glazier’s points are small triangular pieces of steel that help secure the glass to the frame without causing any damage to the fragile surface. Learning how to use these hidden little helpers is easy and could save you money on professional installation or the cost of purchasing new glass.
Once the old putty and glazier’s points are removed, thoroughly clean the frame with a knife to remove any remaining residue. Lightly sand the frame in the rabbet grooves if needed to smooth rough areas. If you decide to sand the wood, make sure to protect it by using painter’s tape to prevent accidental damage.
Write down the exact dimensions of the frame. These measurements can be brought to a home center or hardware store, and the new frame will be cut to a smaller size. This will ensure a snug fit, and allow for window.replacement near me expansion and contraction.
Place the new pane into the frame and push it into place firmly with your hand. Utilize the chisel’s point, or the edge of the putty blade to smudge the glazier’s points, window.replacement near me as shown in Figure 11. When you’re done, they should be flush with the top edge of the pane. the shoulders that are raised of the points should be just below the lip of the rabbet groove.
Apply a thin layer glazing compound to the rabbet grooves and edges of new glass. This will protect and seal the edges. Allow this to dry and cure completely.
Install the new window sash when the glazing compound has dried. First, saturate the wood with a thick coat of Linseed oil. This will prevent the new putty from taking up the moisture and drying out and cracking with time. Apply this coat using a brush or the tip of your putty knife, then use the chisel or the back end of the knife to gently press the new sash and glazier’s tips into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches along the perimeter of the frame.
Putty
A baseball thrown or a rock thrown by error, or a fallen tree can cause a broken or cracked window pane. Fortunately, windows can be replaced by simply putting a brand new piece of glass in its the right place. The glass is held in place by tiny metal clips known as a glazier’s point and putty, which is often called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area using an abrasive, pull-type scraper, or a wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves while working. You’ll need a heating gun if the window is glued into the frame.
If you are planning to replace your original sash, remove the molding that supports the old pane. Sand the sash until it’s flat and ready to receive new caulk. Once the sash is installed then, apply a new caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure it doesn’t swell or fade over time.
Take the glazing points out of the rabbets, or window.Replacement near me the grooves in the sash that the glass sits. If they’re hard to chisel out, try placing the hand tool, such as a heat gun to soften them first. If you’re using a heat gun, be cautious not to scratch the railings of the sash or the sash itself by using the tool too close.
After the old points of glazing and putty have been removed, prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, forming it to be around 1/2-inch thick. Then, press it into the rabbets, where the glass will rest. It is essential that the glass is positioned against the putty on both sides, so if you need to do so, gently tap the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.
If the new pane is cracked, you can cover it with a solvent-based glass glue or silicone caulk before pressing it into the sash. If not, you’ll have to putty over the crack to create an airtight seal and keep water out. After the putty is dry and the film is oily, wipe it off the glass using an abrasive and allow it to completely dry before painting. Paint after the putty has completely dried. It won’t create a solid seal and could be leaking or discoloring over time.
Paint
If you’ve suffered a break in a window pane, then you may be worried about the cost of a new one. In reality, replacing a single pane of glass doesn’t need to be expensive when you do it on your own. In fact, even a double-pane window sash replacement can be replaced at less than the cost of an expert.
If you are working on a large window, ensure that it is securely fastened to the frame. With the right tools and techniques you can make this task relatively easy and quick.
When you are ready to begin, remove the old window pane. Take out the metal glazing points attached to it. These are tiny metal triangles which act as «nails» that hold the window in place. They are buried under a bead of glazing putty, which hardens into a solid, moulded wedge which holds the window in place and conceals the points.
After taking off 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. These 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 then 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. You’ll need to take horizontal and vertical measurements of the entire opening, as well as the thickness of the old pane. 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 take these measurements to a hardware store or home improvement shop 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.