5 Lessons You Can Learn From Replace Window Pane
How to Replace Window Panes
A damaged or cracked window is an issue. It could also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows, and enjoy benefits such as more comfort, higher resale value and reduced utility costs.
This is a project you could do yourself for a fraction of the cost of hiring an expert. You only need the appropriate tools and a few minutes of your time.
Glass
If your single pane windows are old, deteriorating or broken, replacing them with newer insulated or tempered glass can increase energy efficiency and reduce noise while preserving the historic integrity of older homes. The majority of homeowners with basic hand tools can replace a window pane. In addition to a new pane, the following components are needed such as latex glazing putty; pliers, glazier's points and an electric heater to warm the old putty, if necessary. Before starting, put on gloves and safety goggles as working with broken glass can cause injuries.
Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. This is best done using a pair of pliers, however, a flathead screwdriver can also work in a pinch. Utilize a wood chisel or putty knife to get rid of any remaining old putty around the frame and the window sash. Be careful to not break the window sash. Be careful and slow. This is best done on a ladder, not on the ground. Also, have someone on the ground to ensure it is held steady.
Once you've removed all the old putty, you can prepare the window frame to accommodate the new pane. Take measurements of the width and height of the opening for the sash and subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). Take these measurements to a hardware store or home center and find a piece glass cut to size. You can also cut the glass yourself, if you have the appropriate tools.
After putting in the new pane After installing the new pane, apply a small amount of caulking around the edge to ensure it is weatherproof. Then, place a glazier's tip on each side of the frame to secure the pane in the right place. The points should not be tight enough to cause friction between the frame and sash However, they should not be loose.
Before applying the putty to the surface, you must knead it thoroughly until it becomes soft and free from lumps. Then you can roll it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be placed to the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to another to ensure it is even and smooth.
Glazier's Points
The glazier's points are tiny triangular pieces of metal which help to secure the glass into the window frame without causing damage to the delicate 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.
Once the old putty and the glazier's points have been removed and the frame is thoroughly cleaned with a utility knife to remove any remaining residue. If needed it is necessary to lightly sand the wood along the grooves of the rabbets to smooth rough spots. If you do sand your wood, be sure to protect it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.
Write down the exact dimensions of the frame. These dimensions can be taken to the hardware or home center store, and the new pane will be cut slightly smaller. This will ensure that the pane fits perfectly and allows for expansion and contraction.
Place the new pane in the frame and press it in place by using your hands. Then, you can use the point of your chisel or the back end of the putty knife to pierce the glazier's points, as shown in Figure 11. The glazier's points should be aligned with the top edge of your pane and the raised shoulders should be just below that lip.
Apply a small amount of glazing compound on the edges of the new glass and in the rabbet grooves, to seal and protect them. Allow this to dry and cure fully.
Install the new window sash after the glazing compound has dried. The first step is to coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will prevent the new putty from sucking up moisture and drying out and cracking with 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 putty tool or the back of the putty handle to gently hammer the new sash or glazier's tip into the 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 break or crack. Most windows can be repaired easily by installing a new piece. The glass is held in place using small clips made of metal called a glazier's point and putty, also called glazing compound. Before you install a new pane, first remove the old one and clean the area using a rag and an abrasive scraper that is a pull type or an abrasive wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while working. You'll require a heat gun if the window is glued to the frame.
If you are planning to replace the original sash, gently remove any molding pieces 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 installed, apply a new caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure that it won't leak or discolor in time.
Take out the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves in the sash where the glass is. If they are hard to chisel, hold 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 cause damage to the railings or sash by using the tool too closely.
Make a bed for your new pane after removing the old glaze points and putty. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your hands, shaping it to be about 1/2-inch thick. Then, press it into the rabbets, where the glass will rest. The glass must be positioned against the putty on both sides. If necessary you want to tap your glass lightly 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 the crack is not sealed, you'll need to apply putty to keep water from getting in. After the putty has dried then clean the oily film off the glass with an abrasive and allow it to completely dry before painting. Paint before the putty has completely dried. It won't make a strong seal and may be leaking or discoloring over time.
Paint
You might be worried 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 glazing replacement window-paned window could be replaced for a fraction of what it will cost a professional.
If you are working on a large window, ensure that it is securely fastened to the frame. This job is relatively easy and quick with the appropriate tools and techniques.
When you are ready to start taking down the old window pane. Take out the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. These are tiny metal triangles which act as "nails" that hold the window in the frame. They are placed beneath a layer of glazing putty that is then cured to form a solid, moulded wedge that holds the window firmly in place and hides the points.
Once you have the old pane taken away clean the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape off any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points used to be. They should be sanded to the point of being bare, so that you can paint them the same shade as the rest of the frame. After sanding, apply a coat of flax oil to the bare wood to help extend its lifespan.
The next step is to determine the width of the window's opening. You will need to take vertical and horizontal measurements of the entire opening, and also the thickness of the old pane. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure you get a precise size for the new pane. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass in times of seasonal change. You can take these measurements to a hardware or home improvement store and have the glass for windows Replacement 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.