How to Replace Window Panes

A cracked window pane can be a nuisance. This can be an opportunity to upgrade to energy-efficient windows or insulated ones, and reap advantages like improved comfort, increased resale values and lower utility costs.

You can do it yourself at only a fraction of the cost it would cost to hire an expert. It requires the right tools and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

If your single-pane windows are outdated, deteriorating or broken replacing them with modern glass that is tempered or insulated can improve energy efficiency and reduce noise while maintaining the historical integrity of older homes. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can repair the window pane. Alongside a replacement windows prices (www.plantsg.com.Sg) pane, the following items are needed for the replacement window seals process: latex glazing putty Glazier's points; pliers and an electric heater to warm the old putty if required. Wear safety glasses and gloves prior to beginning. Working with broken glass could result in serious injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. It is best to use pliers however, a flathead may work as well. Use a wood chisel, or putty knife to get rid of any old putty that remains around the frame and window sash. Be careful to not damage the window sash. Take your time and work slowly. It is recommended to do this using a sturdy ladder rather than the ground and have someone stand below the sash to help hold it in place.

Make sure that the window frame is ready to accommodate the new pane once you have removed the old putty. Take measurements of the width and height of the sash opening 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 by yourself if you have the right tools.

After installing the new pane after installing the new pane, put a tiny amount of caulking around the edges to seal it against weather. Install a glazier's point on both sides of the frame. This will help secure the pane. The points should not be too tight that they cause 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 is smooth and free of lumps. Make 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 smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular pieces of metal which help to secure the glass to the frame without damaging the delicate 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 purchasing new glass.

After the old putty and glazier's points are removed and the frame is thoroughly cleaned with a utility knife to remove any remaining traces. Lightly sand the wood into the rabbet grooves to smooth out rough areas. If you decide to sand the wood, ensure you protect it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

Note down the exact dimensions of the frame. Take these measurements to an hardware store or home center and request that the new pane cut slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a secure fit, and allow for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and push it into place firmly using your hand. Use the chisel's point or the back of the putty blade to tap in the glaziers' points as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's points should sit aligned with the top edge of your pane, and the shoulders raised should be just below that lip.

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

Install the new window sash once the glazing compound has dried. First, you need to coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will prevent the newly-created putty from drying out and cracking when it absorbs moisture. Use a brush to apply this coat, or even the tip of the blade. Then use the chisel that is on the back of the tool or the back of the putty handle to gently hit the new sash, or glazier's point into rabbet grooves. Repeat this process every 10 inches around the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A hurled baseball or an unintentional rock, or falling branch could cause a window pane to crack or break. Fortunately, windows can be repaired by simply placing a new piece in the right place. The glass is held in place using small clips made of metal called the glazier's pointed and putty, also called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area with an abrasive, pull-type scraper or wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while working. You'll need a heat gun when the window is fixed to the frame.

If you are planning to replace the original sash, remove any molding pieces that hold the old pane in place. Then, sand the sash to ensure it's level and ready to be re-caulked. After the sash has been put back in place it is possible to apply a silicone caulk on the glass. This will ensure that it won't be leaking or fade over time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets and the grooves in the sash that the glass is. If they are hard to cut, place a hand tool such as a heating gun over them to allow them to soften before. If you're using a heated gun, be cautious not to damage the sash or its railings by placing the tool too closely.

After the old glaze points and putty are removed, prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your hands, shaping it to be about 1/2-inch thick. Then, you can press it into the rabbets, where the glass will sit. The glass must rest against the putty on both sides. If you need to, lightly tap your glass 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 prior to pressing it into the sash. If the crack isn't sealed, you will need to apply putty to keep water out. After the putty has dried then clean the oily film off the glass with an abrasive and allow it to dry completely prior to painting. If you paint before the putty is completely dry, it will not form an effective seal and could leak or discolor over time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a broken pane of glass. It's true that replacing a single pane of glass doesn't have to be costly if you do it on your own. Even a double-paned window replacement panes could be replaced for a fraction of what it costs for a professional.

If you are working with a large glass window first, ensure that it is securely fixed to the frame. This is relatively easy and quick with the right tools and techniques.

When you are ready to start with the removal of the window pane. Remove the metal glazing points that are attached to it. These are essentially small metal triangles that act as "nails" that keep the window in place in the wood frame. They are submerged under a bead of glazing putty, which transforms into a solid formed wedge which holds the window in place and conceals the window's points.

After removal of the old pane clean the frame and the wood. Scrape off any old paint, and sand the rabbet grooves that the glazing points were. Sand them down to clean wooden surfaces, allowing you to paint the frames with the same color. After sanding, apply a coat of flax oil to the wood's surface to prolong its life.

The next step is to measure the dimensions of the window's opening. It is necessary to take vertical and horizontal 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 in times of seasonal change. Bring these measurements to your local 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, replacement Windows prices 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.