How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane can be an inconvenience. It can also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows, and reap benefits like more comfort, higher potential for resales, and less bills.

This is a project you could take on yourself for a fraction of the cost of hiring a professional. It requires the right tools and only an hour or two of your time.

Glass

If your single-pane windows are outdated damaged, cracked or deteriorating replacing them with modern glass that is tempered or insulated can increase energy efficiency and decrease noise while also preserving the historic integrity of older homes. The process of replacing the window pane is easy and can be accomplished by homeowners with basic hand tools. You'll also require an additional window pane, glazier's tips pliers, and latex glaze putty. If needed, you can use a heating gun to warm the old putty. Before starting, wear gloves and safety glasses as working with broken glass can cause injuries.

Remove any broken glass pieces remaining. It is recommended to use pliers, but a flathead can be useful equally. After that, use a wood chisel or putty knife take the remainder of the old putty from the frame and the sash. Be careful to not damage the window glass replacement (http://shinhwapack.co.kr/g5/Bbs/board.php?bo_table=bbs&wr_id=1212340) sash. Take your time and work slowly. It is best to do this on a stable ladder rather than the ground and to place someone on the sash to help keep it steady.

After you've removed all the old putty, it is time to prepare the window frame for the new pane. Measure the width and height of the sash opening by subtracting 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 cut the glass yourself if you have the appropriate tools.

After installing the glass After installing the glass, apply caulking around the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then, place a glazier's tip on the frame's opposite side to secure the pane into place. The points should not be so tight that they create friction between the frame and sash, but they should also not be loose.

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

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular metal pieces that help secure the glass into the window frame without causing any damage to the fragile surface. It's easy to learn how to use this nefarious tool, and you'll be able to save money on the expense of an installation by a professional.

After removing the old putty, glazier points as well as any remaining remnants clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife. Lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves to smooth out rough areas. If you sand wood, Window glass replacement protect it with painter’s tape to avoid accidental damage.

Take measurements of the empty frame and note down precise measurements. These measurements can be taken to a home center or hardware store and the new pane will be cut to a smaller size. This will ensure that the pane fits snugly and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane in the frame and push firmly with your hands. Use the point of the chisel, or the back of the putty blade to tap in 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 shoulders raised should be just below that lip.

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

Install the new window sash when the glazing compound has dried. First, coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will prevent the new putty from soaking up the moisture and deteriorating and cracking with time. Apply this coat using a brush or the tip of your knife, then use the chisel, or the back end from the putty knife to gently hammer in the new sash and glazier's point into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches along the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A baseball hit or a rock thrown in error, or a tree falling can result in a cracked or cracked window. Fortunately, the majority of windows can be repaired by simply putting a new piece of glass in its place. The glass is held in place by a small metal clip called a glazier's point and putty, also called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area with an abrasive, pull-type scraper, or a wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves when you work. If the window is secured to the frame, you'll have to employ a heat gun in order to soften the adhesive before taking it off.

If you're planning to replace your original sash, you must remove the molding that holds the old pane. Then you can sand the sash down to ensure it's smooth and ready for a new caulk. Once the sash is reinstalled, you can apply a silicone caulk on the glass. This will ensure that it won't get soiled or discolor over time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash, where the glass is. If they're difficult to work out, you can try holding the hand tool, such as a heat gun to soften them before you do. When using a heated tool, be careful to not scratch the sash and its railings.

Once the old glaze points and putty have been removed make a bed for the new pane. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, shaping it into a 1/2-inch thick. Then, press it into the rabbets in which the glass will rest. It's important that the glass is positioned against the putty on both sides 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 over the crack to form a tight seal and keep water out. After the putty has dried, wipe the oily film off the glass and allow it to dry completely before you paint. Paint before the putty has completely dried. It won't form a good seal and could be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a broken piece of glass. However, replacing a single glass pane doesn't need to cost a fortune if you do it yourself. In fact even windows with double panes can be replaced for a fraction of the cost of an expert.

First, if you are working on a large-sized window pane replacement, ensure that it is securely attached to the frame. Using the proper tools and techniques to complete this task easily and speedy.

Once you're ready to begin, begin by removing the old window by removing the glazing points of metal that are attached to it. These are small metal triangles that act as "nails", holding the window in place. They are placed under a bead of glazing putty, which transforms into a solid formed wedge that secures the window in place and hides the window handle replacement's points.

After you have the old pane taken away Clean up the frame and wood. Scrape off any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were. They should be sanded to the point of being bare, to allow you to paint them the same color as the rest the frame. After sanding, apply a layer of flax oil on the bare wood to help extend its lifespan.

Then, take measurements of the dimensions of the window opening. You'll need to determine the horizontal and vertical 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. Bring these measurements to the hardware or home improvement store, and they will 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 air from leaking into the frame and causing fogging.