How to Replace Window Panes

A cracked window handle replacement pane can be a source of frustration. It can also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows, and reap benefits like greater comfort, a higher potential for resales, and less bills.

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

Glass

replace window handles your single-paned windows with tempered or insulate glass to improve the efficiency of your energy, reduce noise, and maintain the original character of your home's older. The majority of homeowners with basic hand tools can repair a window replacement near me pane. In addition to a replacement pane, the following items are required for the replacement windows process: latex glazing putty Glazier's points; pliers and the use of a heat gun to warm the old putty, if needed. Before starting, wear gloves and safety glasses as working with broken glass could cause injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. This is best accomplished with pliers, though using a flathead screwdriver can also be used in the pinch. Utilize a wood chisel or putty knife to get rid of any old putty that remains around the frame and window sash. Be careful and slow making sure not to damage the old window sash. This is best done on an elevated ladder, not on the ground. Also, ensure that someone on the ground to hold it steady.

After you've removed all the old putty, you can prepare the window frame to accommodate the new pane. Find the width and the height of the opening in the sash 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 have a piece cut of glass stock to the proper size. You can also cut the glass by yourself if you have the appropriate tools.

After putting in the new 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 should not be so tight that they create friction between the frame and the sash however they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty on the surface, gently knead it until it is soft and free from lumps. Then you can roll it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be placed in the corner of the frame, working from one corner to the other so that it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's facets are tiny triangular pieces of steel that help secure glass into a window frame without scratching or damaging the fragile surface. Learning how to use these little helpers is easy and can save you money on professional installation or the cost of purchasing new glass.

After the old putty and the glazier's points have been removed, thoroughly clean the frame using a utility knife to eliminate any remaining traces. Lightly sand the frame in the rabbet grooves, if necessary, to smooth rough areas. If you sand wood, protect it with painter’s tape to avoid accidental damage.

Take the dimensions of the frame and write down accurate measurements. Bring these measurements to an hardware store or home center, and have the new pane made slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a tight fit and leave room for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane in the frame and push it in place by using your hands. 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 shown in Figure 11. The glazier's points should sit in line with the top edge of your pane and the shoulders should be just beneath that lip.

Apply a thin layer of glazing compound to the rabbet grooves as well as the edges of new glass. This will seal and protect the edges. Allow it to dry and cure fully.

Install the new window sash after the glazing compound has dried. First, you need to coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will prevent the new putty from sucking up the moisture and drying out and repairer cracking over time. Use a brush to apply this coat, or the point of the putty blade. Then, use the chisel on the back of the putty tool or the back of the handle to gently hammer the new sash or glazier's point into rabbet grooves. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A hurled baseball or a rock that is errant or a falling branch can cause a window to crack or break. Most windows can be repaired easily by simply putting in a fresh piece. The glass is held in place by a small metal clip called a glazier's point and putty, which is often called glazing compound. Before you install a new pane, first get rid of the old one and clean up the area using a rag and the pull-type paint scraper or an abrasive wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while you do this work. You'll need a heat gun if the window is glued to the frame.

If you're planning to reinstall the original sash, take off the mold that holds the old pane. Then, sand the sash to ensure it's smooth and ready for a new caulk. After the sash has been re-installed, apply a new silicone caulk to the glass to ensure it will not leak or change color over time.

Remove the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves in the sash where the glass is located. If they're difficult to work out, try holding an instrument like a heat gun to soften them first. If you're using a heat gun, be careful not to damage the railings or sash by placing the tool too tightly.

Create the bed for your new pane after removing the old glaze and putty. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your fingers and make it about 1/2 inch thick. Then, you can press it into the rabbets where the glass will be. It is crucial that the glass rests against the putty on each side So if you have to do so, gently tap the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack then you can seal it with a solvent-based glass glue or silicone caulk prior to pressing it into the sash. Otherwise, you'll need to apply putty on the crack to create an impervious seal to keep water out. After the putty has dried, clean the oily film off the glass using a rag and allow it to completely dry before painting. Paint after the putty has dried completely. It won't form a good seal and may be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a broken pane of glass. But the truth is that replacing one glass pane does not need to cost a fortune when you do it yourself. Even a double-paned window could be replaced for a fraction of what it costs a professional.

First, if you're working on a large window, make sure that it is securely fixed to the frame. With the right tools and techniques you can accomplish this task fairly easily and fast.

When you are ready to begin, remove the old window pane. Pry out the metal glazing points that are attached to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles which function as "nails" that hold the window in place within the frame of wood. They are submerged beneath a glaze putty or bead that sets to form an unbreakable wedge that holds the frame firmly in position and hides the points.

After removing the old pane, clean the frame and the wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used, and sand repairer the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were placed. Sand them down to clean wood surfaces, so that you can paint the frames with the same shade. After sanding, apply a coat of flax oil to the wood's surface to extend the life of the frame.

The next step is to determine the size of the window's opening. You'll need to take horizontal and vertical 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 cut the glass 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.