3 Ways That The Replace Window Pane Can Influence Your Life

How to Replace Window Panes

A cracked window pane is a nuisance. This can be an opportunity to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones, and reap benefits like increased comfort, increased resale value and lower utility costs.

You can do it yourself for less than what 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, deteriorating or broken replacing them with more modern glass that is tempered or insulated can improve energy efficiency and reduce noise while maintaining the historical integrity of older homes. Most homeowners with basic hand tools can replace the window pane. In addition to a new pane, the following components are needed for the replacement process: latex glazing putty glazier's points; pliers; and a heat gun for warming the old putty if required. Wear safety goggles and gloves before you begin. Working with broken glass could cause serious injuries.

Take away any broken glass pieces remaining. It is best to use pliers however, a flathead may work as well. Then, use a wood chisel or putty knife to remove the rest of the old putty around the frame and the sash. Work slowly and carefully making sure not to break the current window sash. This should be done on a ladder, not on the ground. Also, have someone below the sash keep it in place.

Once you have removed all of the old putty, it is time to prepare the window frame to fit the new pane. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction, subtract 1/8 inch each from the measurements of width and height. Take these measurements to a hardware store or home center and find a piece glass cut to size. You can also cut the glass by yourself if you possess the appropriate tools.

After putting the new pane in place, run a small bead of caulking along the edge to ensure it is weatherproof. Then, place a glazier's tip on each side of the frame to secure the pane into the right place. The points shouldn't be so tight that they cause friction between the frame and sash however they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty, knead it thoroughly until it's soft and free of lumps. Then, roll it into pencil-size strips. Apply the first strip to the frame's corner. Work from corner to corner and ensure that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are tiny triangular metal pieces that allow glass to be secured into the window frame without causing any damage to the fragile surface. Knowing how to use these tiny pieces of help is simple and can save you money on professional installation or the cost of purchasing new glass.

After the old putty as well as the glazier's points have been removed and the frame is thoroughly cleaned with a knife to get rid of any remaining traces. Lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves, if necessary, to smooth out rough areas. If you do sand your wood, make sure to protect it by using painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Measure the empty frame's dimensions and note down precise measurements. These measurements can be taken to a home center or hardware store and the new pane will be cut slightly smaller. This will ensure that the pane fits comfortably and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new window in the frame and push it into the frame by using 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. When you're done taping, they should be level 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 of glazing compound on the rabbet grooves as well as the edges of the glass. This will protect and seal the edges. Allow this to dry and cure fully.

After the glazing compound dries, you're ready to install the new window sash. First, coat the wood with a thick coat of Linseed oil. This will prevent the new putty from taking in the moisture and drying out and cracking with time. Use a brush to apply this coat, or even the tip of the blade. Then use the chisel that is on the back of the tool or the back of the handle to gently hammer the new sash or glazier's point into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches around the frame's perimeter.

Putty

A baseball thrown at you or a rock that is errant or a fallen branch can cause a window to break or crack. Most windows replacement glass can be replaced by putting in a new piece. The glass is held in position by a small metal clip, referred to as a glazier’s point and putty. This compound is also referred to as glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area using an abrasive, pull-type scraper or wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses when working. You'll require a heat gun if the window is glued to the frame.

If you plan to reinstall the original sash in the future, take care to remove the molding pieces that are used to secure the old pane. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is re-installed, apply a new silicone caulk around the glass to ensure that it won't leak or discolor in time.

Remove the glazing points from 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, make sure not to cause damage to the railings of the sash or the sash itself by placing the tool too tightly.

After the old glaze points 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 about 1/2-inch thick. Then, push it into the rabbets where the glass Window replacements will rest. 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 use a silicone caulk or a glass glue made from solvents to seal the crack before pressing it into the sash. If not, you'll have to apply putty over the crack to create an airtight seal and keep water out. After the putty has dried, wipe the oily film off the glass and let it dry completely before you paint. If you paint before the putty is completely dry, it will not form a strong seal and may leak or discolor in time.

Paint

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

If you are working with a large glass window first, ensure that it is securely attached to the frame. With the right tools and techniques to make this task relatively easy and quick.

Once you're ready to begin taking off the old window pane by prying out the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. These are tiny metal triangles which act as "nails", holding the window within the frame. They are buried under a bead of glazing putty, which transforms into a solid formed wedge that secures the window in place and hides the edges.

After you have the old pane removed Clean up the frame and wood. Scrape away any old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves, where the glazing points were. Sand them down to bare wood surfaces, so that you can paint the frames the same color. After sanding, apply a coat of flax oil to the wood's surface to prolong its life.

Then, you need to measure the size of the window opening. You will need to measure the vertical and horizontal 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. Take these dimensions to your local hardware or home improvement store and ask them to cut you 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.