Mattie Dolan

How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged window pane could cause a lot of trouble. It could also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows, and reap benefits like greater comfort, a higher resale value and reduced utility bills.

You can do it yourself for less than what it would cost of windows replacement to hire an expert. It requires the right tools and only an hour or two of your time.

Glass

Replace your single-paned windows with tempered or insulation glass to improve energy efficiency, reduce noise, and maintain the historical integrity of your old home. The majority of homeowners with basic hand tools can replace the window pane. In addition to a replacement pane, the following components are needed: latex glazing putty; Glazier's points; pliers and an electric heater to warm the old putty, if necessary. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to starting. Working with broken glass could cause serious injuries.

Take out any broken glass pieces that remain. It is best to use pliers however, a flathead may be useful equally. Use 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, taking care not to damage the old window sash. This is best done on an elevated ladder, not on the ground. Also, you should have someone on the ground to keep it in place.

Once you have removed all the old putty, prepare the window frame to accommodate the new pane. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction by subtracting 1/8 inch from the measurements of the width and height. Bring these measurements to the nearest hardware store or home center, and get a piece of stock glass cut to size. You can cut the glass yourself if you possess the appropriate tools.

After installing the new glass replacement on windows Apply caulking on the edges. This will make the glass for window replacement sash windows (beretreason85.Bravejournal.net) weatherproof. Then, place a glazier's tip on each side of the frame to secure the pane in its place. The points should not be so tight that they create friction between the frame and sash however they shouldn't be loose.

Before applying the putty to the surface, knead thoroughly until it is smooth and free of lumps. Then make it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip to the frame's corner. Work from corner to corner and ensure that 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 damaging the delicate surface. It's easy to understand how to use this secret tool, and you'll save money on the expense of an expert installation.

After the old putty and the glazier's point are gone, thoroughly clean the frame with a utility knife to remove any remaining traces. Lightly sand the wood into the rabbet grooves if needed to smooth out rough areas. If you decide to sand the wood, be sure to protect it by using painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Write down the dimensions of the frame. Bring these measurements to a hardware store or a home center and have the new pane cut smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure that the pane fits snugly and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new window in the frame and press it into place firmly using your hand. Then, you can use the point of your chisel, or the back of the putty knife to tap in the glazier's facets, as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's points should be in line with the top edge of your pane, and the shoulders raised should be just below the lip.

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

After the glazing compound dries and the glazing compound is dry, you can install the new window sash. First, coat the wood with a thick coat of linseed oil. This will prevent the new putty from taking up moisture and deteriorating and cracking over 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 point into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process every 10 inches around the frame's perimeter.

Putty

A baseball thrown at you or a rock that is errant or falling branch could cause a window pane to crack or break. Fortunately, windows can be easily replaced by simply putting a brand new piece of glass in its the proper place. The glass is held in place using a small metal clip called a glazier's point, and putty, often called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area using the rag, a scraper that is a pull type or a wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while you do this work. If the window is secured to the frame, you'll have to employ a heat gun in order to soften the adhesive prior to prying it free.

If you're planning to install your original sash, remove the molding that supports the old pane. Sand the sash until it is flat and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is re-installed, apply a new silicone caulk to the glass to ensure that it doesn't swell or fade over time.

Remove the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves in the sash, which is where the glass is located. If they're difficult to cut, place a hand tool like a heat gun over them to soften first. When using a heating tool, make sure to not scratch the sash's railings and sash.

Create the bed for your new pane after removing the old glaze points and putty. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your fingers, and then make it about 1/2 inch thick. Place it into the rabbets, where the glass will be placed. It's important that the glass sits on the putty in all places on both sides, so if you need to do so, gently tap the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has cracked, you can use the silicone caulk or glass glue made from solvents to seal the crack before pressing it in the sash. In other cases, you'll need to putty over the crack to create a tight seal and keep water out. After the putty has dried then clean the oily film off the glass with the help of a rag. Allow it to completely dry before painting. If you paint before the putty has completely dry, it won't create an effective seal and could be leaking or discoloring in time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a broken pane of glass. However, replacing one glass pane does not have to break the bank if you do it yourself. In fact even windows with double panes can be replaced for only a fraction of the cost of a professional.

First, if you're working on a large-sized window, make sure it is securely fastened to the frame. This can be done relatively easy and quick with the proper tools and techniques.

When you are ready to begin, remove the old window pane. Take out the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles that function as "nails" that hold the window in place within the frame of wood. They are buried beneath a bead or glazing putty which hardens into an unbreakable wedge that holds the wood frame firmly in position and conceals the edges.

After taking off the old pane clean the frame and wood. Scrape off any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were. Sand them down to bare wooden surfaces so you can paint the frames with the same shade. After sanding the wood then apply a layer of flax oil. This will help to extend its life.

The next step is to determine the width of the window opening. You will need to measure 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 also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass in times of seasonal changes. Take these measurements to your local hardware or home improvement store and ask them to cut you 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.