You ll Never Guess This Replace Window Pane s Tricks

How to Replace Window Panes

A cracked window pane is an inconvenience. It could be a chance to upgrade your windows to energy efficient or insulated ones to enjoy benefits such as improved comfort, increased resale value and lower utility costs.

It's a project you can take on yourself for less than the cost of hiring a professional. You only need the proper tools and a few minutes of your time.

Glass

Replace your single-paned windows using tempered or insulation glass to improve the efficiency of your energy, reduce noise, and preserve the historical integrity of your old home. The process of replacing windows is easy and can be completed by most homeowners who possess basic hand tools. You will also require an additional window pane, glazier's tips pliers, and latex glaze putty. If needed you may make use of a heat gun to warm the old putty. Before starting, put on gloves and safety glasses as working with broken glass could cause injuries.

Take away any broken glass pieces remaining. This can be done with the help of pliers however, a flathead screwdriver can also work in a pinch. Make use of a wood chisel or putty knives, to take away any remaining old putty around the frame and the window pane replacement sash. Work slowly and carefully making sure not to break the existing window sash. This should be done on a ladder, not on the ground. Also, have someone below the sash ensure it is held steady.

Once you have removed all the old putty, you can prepare the window frame to fit the new pane. Measure the width and height of the opening for the sash, subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). Bring these measurements to a hardware store or replace window pane home center and get a piece of stock glass cut to size. Alternatively, you can cut the glass yourself, if you have the tools you need.

After putting the new pane in place, run a small bead of caulking around the edges to make it weatherproof. Then, place a glazier's tip on each side of the frame to secure the pane in the right place. The points should not be too tight that they cause friction between the frame and the sash, but they should also not be loose.

Before applying the putty on the surface, you must knead it thoroughly until it is soft and free from lumps. Make it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip to the frame's corner. Work from one corner to another, making sure it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's facets are small triangular pieces which help to secure glass into the frame of a window without scratching or damaging the fragile surface. Learning how to use these little helpers is easy and could save you money on a professional installation or the cost of buying new glass.

After getting rid of the old putty glazier points, and any other leftovers clean the frame thoroughly with an utility knife. If necessary, lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves to smooth out rough areas. If you decide to sand wood, protect it with painter’s tape to avoid accidental damage.

Note down the exact dimensions of the frame. These dimensions can be taken to a home center or hardware store and the new pane will be cut a bit smaller. This will ensure a tight fit and leave room for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and push it into the frame by using your hands. Use the point of the chisel or the back of the putty knife to smudge the glazier's points, as illustrated in Figure 11. When you're done, they should be level with the top edge of the pane. the raised shoulders of the points should be just below the rabbet's lip. groove.

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

After the glazing compound dries and the glazing compound is dry, you can install the new window sash. First, saturate the wood with a heavy coat of Linseed oil. This will prevent the new putty from drying out or cracking as it absorbs moisture. Apply this coat with a brush or the tip of your putty knife, then use the chisel, or the back end of the putty knife to gently hammer in the new sash and glazier's point into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process every 10 inches around the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown, a rock thrown in error, or a tree falling can cause a broken or cracked window. Fortunately, windows can be repaired by simply putting a brand new piece of glass in its place. The glass is held in place with small clips made of metal called a glazier's point, and putty, which is often called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area using an abrasive, pull-type scraper or wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves when you work. You'll require a heat gun when the window screen replacement is fixed into the frame.

If you are planning to replace window pane the original sash in the future, take care to remove the molding pieces that are used to secure the old pane. Then, sand the sash to make sure it's flat and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is reinstalled then, you can apply a silicone caulk to the glass. This will ensure that it won't be leaking or fade over time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets, the grooves in the sash, where the glass is. If they're difficult to chisel, use an instrument such as a heatgun over them to soften first. When using a heat tool, be sure to not damage the sash or its railings.

Once the old glazing points and putty have been removed, prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your fingers, and then make it about 1/2 inch thick. Then, you can press it into the rabbets in which the glass will sit. It's important that the glass rests against the putty in all places on each side So if you have to tap it, gently press the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

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

Paint

If you've suffered a break in a window pane, you may be worried about the cost of a new one. The truth is, replacing a single pane of glass doesn't need to be expensive if you do it on your own. In fact windows with double panes can be replaced for less than the cost of a professional.

First, if you are working on a large-sized window, make sure it is securely attached to the frame. This task can be done relatively easy and fast with the appropriate tools and techniques.

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

After removing the old pane, clean the frame and the wood. Scrape off any old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were placed. These should be sanded down to the point of being bare, to allow you to paint them the same shade as the rest of the frame. After sanding, apply a coat of flax oil to the wood that is not sanded down to help extend its lifespan.

The next step is to determine the size of the window's opening. It is necessary to take vertical and horizontal 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 changes. Take these dimensions to the hardware or home improvement store, and they will 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.