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How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane could be a nuisance. It can also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows and enjoy benefits such as greater comfort, a higher the value of resales and lower utility bills.

You can do it yourself for a only a fraction of the cost it would cost to employ an expert. You only need the right tools and a few minutes of your time.

Glass

If your single-pane replacement windows and doors are outdated broken, deteriorating or damaged, replacing them with newer glass that is tempered or insulated will increase energy efficiency and reduce noise while maintaining the original character of older homes. The majority of homeowners with basic hand tools can repair windows with ease. You'll also require an extra window pane, glazier's tips, pliers, and latex glaze putty. If necessary you may use a heating gun to warm the old putty. Before starting, put on gloves and safety glasses as working with broken glass can cause injuries.

Take out any broken glass pieces that remain. It is best to use pliers for this, but a flathead can be used as well. Make use of a wood chisel or putty knives, to take away any remaining old putty around the frame and window sash. Take your time and work slowly making sure not to break the existing window sash. This is best done on an elevated ladder, not on the ground. Also, have someone on the ground to ensure it is held steady.

Once you have removed all of the old putty, it is time to prepare the window frame to fit the new pane. Find the width and the height of the opening in 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 have the right tools.

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

Before applying the putty on the surface, you must knead it thoroughly until it is soft and free from lumps. Then make it into pencil-sized strips. Place the first strip to the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to another so that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are tiny triangular metal pieces that allow glass to be secured to the frame without causing any damage to the fragile surface. Understanding how to use these little helpers is easy and could save you money on a professional installation or the cost of new glass.

After the old putty as well as the glazier's point are gone Clean the frame thoroughly with a knife to get rid of any remaining traces. Lightly sand the frame in the rabbet grooves if needed to smooth rough areas. If you do sand your wood, ensure you protect it with painter's tack to avoid accidental damage.

Note down the exact dimensions of the frame. These measurements can be brought to the hardware or home center store, and the new frame will be cut to a smaller size. This will ensure that the pane fits perfectly and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new window in the frame and press it in place using your hand. Then, you can use the point of your chisel, or the back of the putty knife to make a tap on the glazier's points as shown in Figure 11. When you're done, they should be flush with the top edge of the pane, and the raised shoulders of the points should be below the lip of the rabbet groove.

Apply a thin layer of glazing compound over the edges of the new glass and in the rabbet grooves to seal and protect them. Let it dry completely and cure.

Install the new window sash when the glazing compound has dried. First, you need to coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will prevent the newly-created putty from drying out and cracking when it absorbs moisture. Apply this coat using a brush or the tip of your putty knife, and then use the chisel or the back end of the putty knife to gently press the new sash and glazier's point into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches along the frame's perimeter.

Putty

A baseball hit or a rock thrown in error or a branch falling could result in a broken or cracked window replacement glass near me. Luckily, most windows can be repaired by simply placing a new piece in place. The replacement glass windows is held in the position with a tiny metal clip, referred to as a glazier’s point and putty. This compound is also called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area using an abrasive, pull-type scraper or wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while working. If the window is secured to the frame, you'll have to employ a heat gun in order to soften the adhesive before prying it free.

If you're planning to reinstall the original sash, take off the mold that holds the old pane. Then sand the sash to ensure it's smooth and ready for a new caulk. Once the sash is re-installed and sanded, apply a fresh silicone caulk to the glass to ensure that it won't leak or discolor in time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets, the grooves in the sash, where the glass sits. If they're difficult to work out, try holding a hand tool like a heat gun over them to soften them up first. When using a heat tool, make sure to avoid damaging the sash's railings and sash.

Create the bed for your new pane after removing the old glaze points and putty. Roll a rope with glazing compound between your fingers and make it about 1/2 inch thick. Place it into the rabbets, where the glass replacement in windows will be put. The glass must rest against the putty on both sides. If needed you want to tap your replacement glass for window near me lightly into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked then you can seal it with a solvent-based glass glue or silicone caulk prior to pressing it into the sash. If not, you'll have to apply putty on the crack to form an impervious seal to keep water out. When the putty dries, clean the oily film off the glass with a rag and allow it to dry completely prior to painting. Paint after the putty is completely dry. It won't create a solid seal and could leak or discolor with time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a broken piece of glass. However, replacing one glass pane does not require a huge amount of money if you do it yourself. Even double-paned windows can be replaced at a fraction of the cost it would cost a professional.

If you are working with a large glass window first ensure it is securely attached to the frame. This task is relatively easy and fast with the right tools and techniques.

When you are ready to start taking down the old window pane. Pry out the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. These are tiny metal triangles which act as "nails" to hold the window in the frame. They are placed under a bead or glazing glue which hardens into a solid wedge that holds the wood frame in place and conceals the edges.

After removal of the old pane clean the frame and the wood. Scrape away any old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves, where the glazing points were. These should be sanded down 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 on the bare wood to help extend its lifespan.

Then, you need to measure the size of the window's opening. It is necessary to take horizontal and vertical measurements of the entire opening as well as the thickness of the old pane. To get the exact size of the new pane, subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass during seasons of changes. Take these measurements to a hardware or home improvement store and have a piece 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.