The One Replace Window Pane Mistake That Every Beginner Makes

How to Replace window pane Window Panes

A cracked window pane is an inconvenience. It could be a chance to upgrade to energy-efficient windows or insulated ones and enjoy benefits like increased comfort, increased resale values and reduced utility bills.

It's a task you can tackle yourself at a fraction of the cost of hiring an expert. You'll only require the right tools and a few minutes of your time.

Glass

If your single-pane windows are outdated, deteriorating or broken replacing them with modern glass that is tempered or insulated will increase energy efficiency and decrease noise while maintaining the historic integrity of older homes. The procedure of replacing the window pane is simple and can be done by homeowners with basic hand tools. You will also need an additional window pane, glazier's tips, pliers, and latex glazing putty. If needed you may use a heating gun to warm the old putty. Before beginning, wear gloves and safety glasses as working with broken glass may cause injuries.

Take away any broken glass pieces that remain. This can be done with pliers, however, flathead screwdrivers can be used in the pinch. After that, use a wood chisel or putty knife remove the remaining old putty around the frame and sash. Be careful to not scratch the window sash. Work slowly and carefully. This should be done on an elevated ladder, not on the ground. Also, have someone lower to ensure it is held steady.

Prepare the window frame to receive the new pane after you have removed the old putty. Measure the width and height of the replacement sash windows opening by subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). These measurements can be sent to an hardware or home centers store to get cut a piece of glass that is in stock to the correct size. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself, if you have the appropriate tools.

After installing the new glass, apply 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 shouldn't be so tight as to cause friction between the sash and the frame but they should not be too 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 in the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to the other to ensure it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are tiny triangular metal pieces which help to secure the glass to the frame without causing damage to the delicate surface. Understanding how to use these tiny helpers is simple and could save you money on a professional installation or the cost of purchasing new glass.

After removing the old putty, glazier points, and any other remnants clean the frame thoroughly using an utility knife. If necessary you can lightly sand the wood in the grooves of the rabbet to smooth out rough areas. If you sand wood, protect it with painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Take measurements of the empty frame and write down accurate measurements. These measurements can be brought to the hardware or home center store, and the new frame will be cut a bit smaller. This will ensure a secure fit, and allow for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane in the frame and press it in place by using your hands. Utilize the chisel's point, or the back of the putty blade to tap in the glazier's points, as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's points should be flush against the top edge of your pane, and the shoulders raised should be just beneath that lip.

Apply a thin bead of glazing compound over the edges of the glass that has been made and into the rabbet grooves to seal and protect them. Allow this to dry and cure completely.

When the glazing compound is dry it's time to put in the new window sash. First, you need to coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will stop the new putty from soaking in the moisture and drying out and cracking with time. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or the tip of the putty blade. Then, use the chisel 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 at intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball that is thrown, an errant rock or falling branch could cause a window to break or crack. Most windows can be repaired easily by putting in a new piece. The glass is held into the position with a tiny metal clip, also known as a glazier’s point and putty. This compound is also referred to as glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area with a rag, a scraper that is a pull type or a wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves while doing this work. If the window is secured to the frame, you'll need employ a heat gun in order to soften the adhesive prior to taking it off.

If you are planning to replace the original sash, take off the molding that holds the old pane. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready to receive new caulk. After the sash has been installed then, you can apply a silicone caulk to the glass. This will ensure that it doesn't be leaking or fade over time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets and Shela the grooves in the sash where the glass is. If they're difficult to cut out, try holding a hand tool like a heat gun over them to soften them first. If you're using a heated gun, make sure not to damage the railings of the sash or the sash itself by placing the tool too close.

Make the bed for [Redirect-Meta-15] your new pane by removing the old glaze and putty. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, shaping it into a 1/2-inch thick. Then, push it into the rabbets, where the glass will sit. The glass should rest against the putty on both sides. If necessary you want to tap your glass lightly into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can use a silicone caulk or a glass glue made from solvents to cover the crack prior to pressing it in the sash. Otherwise, you'll need to apply putty on the crack to create an airtight seal and keep water out. After the putty is dry then clean the oily film off the glass with an abrasive and allow it to dry completely before painting. If you paint before the putty is fully dry, it won't create an effective seal and could be leaking or discoloring in time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a damaged piece of glass. However, replacing a single glass pane doesn't require a huge amount of money if you do it yourself. In fact, even a double-pane window can be replaced for a fraction of the cost of a professional.

First, if you are working on a large-sized window, make sure it is securely fixed to the frame. This job is relatively easy and quick with the appropriate tools and techniques.

When you're ready to start taking off the old window pane by removing the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles that act as "nails" that keep the window in place in the wood frame. They are submerged beneath a bead or glazing glue that hardens to an unbreakable wedge that holds the frame securely in place and hides the points.

After removing the old pane, clean the frame and wood. Scrape off any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves, where the glazing points used to be. Sand them down to clean wooden surfaces, allowing you to paint the frames the same shade. After sanding, apply a coat of flax oil on the wood that is not sanded down to extend the life of the frame.

Then, you need to measure the size of the window opening. You will need to take horizontal and vertical 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 during seasonal change. Take these measurements to the hardware or home improvement store, and they will 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.