How to Replace Window Panes
A damaged or cracked window can be a source of frustration. This could be an opportunity to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones to enjoy benefits such as improved comfort, higher resale value and lower utility costs.
You can do it yourself for a only a fraction of the cost it would cost to hire an expert. 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 newer insulated or tempered glass can increase energy efficiency and decrease noise while preserving the historical integrity of older homes. The replacement window handle of a window pane is relatively easy and can be accomplished by most homeowners who possess basic hand tools. You will also require an extra window pane, glazier’s tips pliers, and latex glaze putty. If you need to, you can make use of a heat gun to warm the old putty. Wear safety goggles and gloves before you begin. Working with broken glass could result in serious injuries.
Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. It is recommended to use pliers however a flathead could be useful equally. After that, use a wood chisel, or putty knife, to remove the rest of the old putty from around the frame and the sash. Be careful to not damage the window sash. Take your time and work slowly. It is a good idea to do this using a sturdy ladder rather than on the ground and to have someone stand below the sash to help hold it steady.
After you have removed all the old putty, you can prepare the window frame to accommodate the new pane. Find the width and the height of the sash opening and subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). These measurements can be sent to a hardware or home center store to get a piece cut of stock glass to the right size. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself if you have the tools you need.
After installing the new glass Apply caulking to the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then, place a glazier’s tip on the frame’s opposite side to hold the pane in its place. The points shouldn’t be so tight as to cause friction between the sash and frame, but they also shouldn’t be too loose.
Before putting the putty on, make sure to knead it until it’s soft and free of lumps. Make it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip in the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to another so that it is even and smooth.
Glazier’s Points
The glazier’s points are small triangular pieces of metal that help secure the glass to the frame without damaging the delicate surface. Learning how to use these hidden tiny helpers is simple and can save you money on professional installation or the cost of buying new glass.
Once the old putty and the glazier’s points have been removed and the frame is thoroughly cleaned using a utility knife to get rid of any remaining traces. Lightly sand the wood into 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.
Write down the exact dimensions of the frame. Bring these measurements to a hardware store or a home center and request that the new pane cut slightly smaller than the frame’s opening. This will ensure a tight fit and will allow room for expansion and contraction.
Place the new window in the frame and push it into place firmly by using your hands. Utilize the point of the chisel, replacing or the back of the putty knife to tap in the glaziers’ points as shown in Figure 11. When you’re done, they should be in line with the top edge of the pane and the shoulders that are raised of the points should be just below the rabbet’s rim groove.
Apply a thin layer glazing compound to the rabbet grooves and edges of the glass. This will protect and seal the edges. Allow it to dry completely and cure.
Install the new window sash when the glazing compound has dried. First, coat the wood with a thick coat of linseed oil. This will prevent the newly-created putty from drying out and cracking as it absorbs moisture. Apply this coat with a brush or the tip of your knife, and then employ the chisel or back end from the putty knife to gently press the new sash and glazier’s points into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.
Putty
A baseball that is thrown or a rock that is errant or a falling branch can cause a window handle replacement to break or crack. The majority of windows can be repaired easily by simply putting in a fresh piece. The glass is held into position by a small metal clip, also known as a glazier’s point and putty. This compound is also known as glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area with the rag, a pull-type scraper or wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while working. You’ll require a heat gun in the event that the window is glued to the frame.
If you plan to reinstall the original sash in the future, take care to remove any pieces of molding 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 re-installed and sanded, apply a fresh silicone caulk to the glass to ensure it doesn’t swell or fade in time.
Remove the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves in the sash, which is where the glass is located. If they’re difficult to work out, try holding the hand tool, such as a heat gun to soften them before you do. If you’re using a heat gun, make sure not to damage the sash or its railings by placing the tool too close.
Create the bed for your new pane by removing the old glaze and putty. Roll a rope made of glazing compound between your fingers, and make it about 1/2 inch thick. Then, push it into the rabbets where the glass will be. The glass must be positioned against the putty on both sides. If you need to 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 prior to pressing it into the sash. If the crack isn’t sealed, you’ll need to use putty to keep water out. After the putty has dried clean the oily film off the glass and let it dry completely before you paint. Paint after the putty has dried completely. It will not make a strong seal and may leak or discolor with time.
Paint
You might be worried about replacing a broken piece of glass. It’s true that replacing a single piece of glass doesn’t have to be costly when you do it on your own. Even a double-paned window can be replaced for a fraction of the price it would cost for a professional.
If you are working with a large glass window first, ensure that it is securely fixed to the frame. Using the proper tools and techniques, you can make this task relatively easy and quick.
When you’re ready to start with the removal of the old window pane by removing the metal glazing points that are connected to it. These are tiny metal triangles which act as «nails», holding the window in place. They are buried beneath a bead or glazing glue that hardens to a solid wedge that holds the wood frame firmly in position and hides the sharp edges.
After removing the old pane, clean the frame and wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used, and sand the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were. Sand them to bare wooden surfaces, allowing you to paint the frames the same shade. After sanding the wood, apply a layer of flax oil. This will help to prolong the life of the frame.
Then, you need to measure the width of the window’s opening. It is necessary to measure the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the entire opening as well as the thickness. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure you get a precise size for the new pane. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. You can bring these measurements to a hardware 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 Double Glazed Windows Replacement air from leaking into the frame and causing fogging.