Ten Common Misconceptions About Replace Window Pane That Aren t Always The Truth

How to Replace Window Panes

A cracked window pane can cause a lot of trouble. It could be a chance 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 at only a fraction of the cost it would cost to hire an expert. You'll only require the proper tools and a few hours of your time.

Glass

Replace your old single-paned windows with tempered or insulated glass to increase energy efficiency, reduce noise, and preserve the original character of your old home. Most homeowners with basic hand tools can repair windows with ease. Alongside a Replacement Window Pane pane, the following tools are needed for the replacement process: latex glazing putty pliers, glazier's points and an electric heater to warm the old putty if required. Wear safety glasses and gloves prior to beginning. Working with broken glass could cause serious injuries.

Remove any broken glass pieces that remain. It is recommended to use pliers for this, but a flathead can be used as well. Utilize a wood chisel or putty knives, to take away any old putty that remains around the frame and the window sash. Work slowly and carefully and be careful not to break the current window sash. It is a good idea to do this on a stable ladder rather than on the ground and to have someone standing below the sash to help keep it steady.

Prepare the window frame to receive 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 width and height. These measurements can be sent to a home center or hardware store to get an item cut from glass stock to the proper size. You can cut the glass yourself if you possess the appropriate tools.

After putting in the new pane, run a small bead of caulking around the edges to make it weatherproof. Then, you can install a glazier's pointing on the frame's opposite side to secure the pane into its place. The points shouldn't be so tight that they cause friction between the frame and the sash However, they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty work it in a gentle manner until it is soft and free of lumps. Roll it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip to the frame's corner. Work from corner to corner, making sure it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

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

After taking off the old putty, glazier points and any residue Clean the frame thoroughly using an utility knife. If necessary, lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves to smooth out rough spots. If you decide to sand wood, protect it with painter’s tape to protect it from damage caused by accidental sanding.

Write down the exact dimensions of the frame. These measurements can be brought to an hardware or home centers store, and the new pane will be cut slightly smaller. This will ensure a secure fit, and allow for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and push firmly using your hands. Utilize the chisel's point, or the back of the putty blade to smudge the glaziers' points as shown in Figure 11. When you're done, they should be level with the top edge of the pane, and the shoulders of the points should be below the rabbet's rim groove.

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

When the glazing compound is dry, you're ready to install the new window replacement glass sash. 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 over time. Use a brush to apply this coat, or even the tip of the putty 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 grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process in 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 pane to crack or break. Luckily, most windows can be repaired by simply putting a brand new piece of glass in its the proper place. The glass is held in place with a small metal clip called a glazier's point, and putty, also called glazing compound. Before you install a new pane, first get rid of the old one and clean up the area using the help of a rag, a pull-type paint scraper or a wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves when you work. You'll require a heat gun when the window is fixed into the frame.

If you are planning to replace the original sash, remove any molding pieces that are used to secure the old pane. Then, sand the sash to ensure it's smooth and ready to be re-caulked. Once the sash is reinstalled then, you can apply a silicone caulk over the glass. This will ensure that it won't be leaking or fade over time.

Remove the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash, which is where the glass is located. If they're hard to cut, place the hand tool, such as a heatgun over them for a few minutes to soften them. If you're using a heating gun, be cautious not to damage the railings of the sash or the sash itself by holding the tool too close.

Make the bed for your new pane after you have removed the old putty and glazing points. Roll a rope with glazing compound between your fingers, and then make it about 1/2 inch thick. Then, push it into the rabbets in which the glass will rest. The glass must be positioned against the putty on both sides. If you need to gently tap your glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can use a silicone caulk or a glass glue that is based on solvents to fill in the crack before pressing it in the sash. In other cases, you'll need to apply putty on the crack to create an impervious seal to keep water out. After the putty has dried, wipe the oily film off of the glass and let it dry completely before you paint. If you paint before the putty has completely dry, it won't create an effective seal and could be leaking or discoloring in time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a damaged piece of glass. The truth is, replacing a single pane glass doesn't need to be costly when you do it on your own. In fact even windows with double panes can be replaced at a fraction of the cost of a professional.

First, if you are working on a large-sized window, ensure that it is securely fixed to the frame. With the right tools and techniques, you can complete this task easily and fast.

When you're ready to start, begin by removing the old window by removing the metal glazing points that are attached to it. These are tiny metal triangles that act as "nails" that hold the window in place. They are buried beneath a layer of glazing putty, which hardens into a solid, moulded wedge that secures the window in place and conceals the window's points.

After removal of the old pane clean the frame and the wood. Scrape away any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points used to be. Sand them down to bare wooden surfaces so you can paint the frames with the same shade. After sanding the wood then apply a layer of flax oil. This will help prolong 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 that you have the exact size for the new pane. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. Take these measurements to a 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.