You ll Never Guess This Replace Window Pane s Tricks

How to Replace Window Panes

A cracked window pane can cause a lot of trouble. This can be an opportunity to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones and enjoy advantages like improved comfort, increased resale value and lower utility costs.

This is a project you could tackle yourself at less than the cost of hiring a professional. You'll need only the appropriate tools and a few hours of your time.

Glass

If your single-pane windows are outdated broken, deteriorating or damaged replacing them with more modern glass that is tempered or insulated will improve energy efficiency and reduce noise while maintaining the historic integrity of older homes. Most homeowners with basic hand tools can replace window pane the window pane. In addition to a replacement pane, the following components are required: latex glazing putty; Glazier's points; pliers and the use of a heat gun to warm the old putty, if needed. Before starting, put on protective gloves and goggles since working with broken glass can cause injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. This can be done with the help of pliers though using flathead screwdrivers can work in the pinch. Use a wood chisel, or putty knife to get rid of any remaining old putty around the frame and the window sash. Take your time and work slowly making sure not to damage the old window sash. 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.

Make sure that the window frame is ready to accommodate the new pane once you have removed the old glue. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction, subtract 1/8 inch each from the measurements of the width and height. These measurements can be sent to a home center or hardware store to get an item cut from stock glass to the right size. Alternatively, you can cut the glass yourself if have the right tools.

After installing the glass, apply a small amount of caulking to the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then, you can install a glazier's pointing on each side of the frame to hold the pane in its 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 on the surface, you must knead it thoroughly until it is smooth and free of lumps. Then you can roll it into pencil-sized strips. Place the first strip to the corner of the frame, working from one corner to the next so that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are the tiny triangular pieces of steel which help to secure glass into a window frame without damaging or scratching the delicate surface. It's simple to learn how to use this nefarious tool, and you'll save money on the cost of an expert installation.

After removing the old putty, glazier points, and Replace Window Pane any other residue clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife. Lightly sand the frame in the rabbet grooves to smooth out rough areas. If you decide to sand the wood, ensure you protect it with painter's tack to avoid accidental damage.

Write down the dimensions of the frame. These measurements can be taken to an hardware or home centers store and the new pane will be cut slightly smaller. This will ensure a snug fit, and allow for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and push firmly with your hands. Make use of the chisel's point, or the back of the putty knife to tap in the glazier's points, as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's point should be in line with the top edge of the pane and the raised shoulders should be just below the lip.

Apply a small amount of glazing compound on the edges of the new glass and in the rabbet grooves, to seal and protect them. Allow it to dry and cure completely.

After the glazing compound dries it's time to put in the new window sash. The first step is to coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will stop the new putty from taking up the moisture and drying out and cracking over time. Apply this coat with a brush or the tip of your knife, then use the chisel, or the back end of the knife to gently hammer the new sash and glazier's tips into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches around the frame's perimeter.

Putty

A baseball that is thrown, an errant rock or falling branch could cause a window pane to crack or break. Luckily, most windows can be easily replaced by simply placing a new piece in the proper place. The glass is held in place using a small metal clip called a glazier's point and putty, which is often called glazing compound. Before installing a replacement windows prices pane, first remove the old one and clean the area with the help of a rag, an abrasive scraper that is a pull type or a wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while working. If the window is attached to the frame, you'll need make use of a heat gun to soften the adhesive before taking it off.

If you are planning to reinstall the original sash, take off the mold that holds the old pane. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is installed and sanded, apply a fresh caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure it won't leak or discolor as time passes.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets and the grooves in the sash where the glass is. If they're hard to chisel, hold a hand tool such as a heatgun over them for a few minutes to soften them. If you're using a heating gun, be careful not to damage the sash or its railings by placing the tool too close.

After the old glazing points and putty are removed, make a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your fingers, and make it around 1/2 inch thick. Then, press it into the rabbets in which the glass will be. The glass must rest against the putty on both sides. If necessary, lightly tap your glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked you can fill it with a solvent-based glass glue or silicone caulk before pressing it into the sash. If not, you'll have to putty over the crack to create an airtight seal and keep water out. When the putty dries and the film is oily, wipe it off the glass with the help of a rag. Allow it to dry completely before painting. Paint before the putty is completely dry. It won't form a good seal and may discolor or leak over time.

Paint

If you've experienced a broken window pane, then you may be concerned about the expense of a new one. It's true that replacing a single pane of glass doesn't have to be expensive even if you do it your own. Even a double-paned window could be replaced for a fraction of the price it costs for a professional.

First, if you are working on a large window, ensure that it is securely fastened to the frame. Using the proper tools and techniques, you can complete this task easily and fast.

When you are ready to begin with the removal of the window pane. Remove the metal glazing points attached to it. These are essentially small metal triangles that function as "nails" which hold the window in in the wood frame. They are submerged beneath a bead or glazing glue that sets to form an unbreakable wedge that holds the wood frame securely in place and hides the points.

After removing the old pane, clean the frame and wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were placed. Sand them down to bare wooden surfaces, allowing you to paint the frames with the same shade. After sanding the wood, apply a layer of flax oil. This will help to prolong the life of the frame.

Then, take measurements of the dimensions of the window's opening. You will need to measure the vertical and horizontal 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 during seasonal change. Bring these measurements to a hardware or home improvement store and 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.