How to Replace Window Panes
A damaged or cracked window is a nuisance. It could also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows, and reap benefits like more comfort, higher the value of resales and lower utility bills.
You can do it yourself for less than what it would cost to employ an expert. You’ll only require the right tools and a few minutes of your time.
Glass
If your single pane windows are old, deteriorating or broken replacing them with more modern glass that is tempered or insulated will improve energy efficiency and reduce noise while also preserving the historic integrity of older homes. The replacement window handle of a window pane is relatively easy and can be completed by anyone with basic hand tools. In addition to a new pane, the following components are needed: latex glazing putty; pliers, glazier’s points and a heat gun for warming the old putty, if needed. Before starting, wear gloves and safety glasses as working with broken glass may cause injuries.
Take away any broken glass pieces remaining. This is best done using pliers, though using a flathead screwdriver can also be used in a pinch. Then, use a wood chisel or putty knife remove the rest of the old putty from around the frame and the sash. Take your time and install work slowly and be careful not to break the existing window sash. This can be done best on an elevated ladder, not on the ground. Also, you should have someone below the sash keep it in place.
Once you have removed all the old putty, prepare the window frame for the new pane. Find the width and the height of the opening in the sash by subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). Take these measurements to the nearest hardware store or home center, and have a piece of stock glass cut to size. Alternatively, you can cut the glass yourself, if you have the right tools.
After putting the new pane in place After installing the new pane, apply a small amount of caulking around the edge to ensure it is weatherproof. Then, you can install a glazier’s pointing on each side of the frame to hold the pane in the right place. The points should not be so tight that they create friction between the frame and the sash however they should not be loose.
Before applying the putty, make sure to knead it until it’s soft and free of lumps. Then, roll it into pencil-size 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 the small triangular pieces of metal that help secure glass into a window frame without scratching or damaging the delicate surface. Learning how to use these tiny pieces of help is simple and could save you money on professional installation or the cost of buying new glass.
After the old putty as well as the glazier’s point are gone and the frame is thoroughly cleaned with a knife to remove any remaining residue. If needed you can lightly sand the wood along grooves of the rabbets to smooth rough areas. If you decide to sand wood, protect it with painter’s tape to prevent accidental damage.
Write down the dimensions of the frame. Bring these measurements to a hardware store or home center and request that the new pane cut slightly smaller than the frame’s opening. This will ensure that the pane fits perfectly and allows for expansion and contraction.
Insert the new pane into the frame and push it in with your hands. Then, you can use the point of your chisel or back end of the putty knife to pierce the glazier’s points, as shown 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 that lip.
Apply a thin layer glazing compound on the rabbet grooves and the edges of the new glass. This will protect and seal the edges. Let it dry and cure completely.
When the glazing compound is dry and the glazing compound is dry, you can install the new window sash. First, coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will stop the new putty from soaking in the moisture and deteriorating and cracking over time. Apply this coat using a brush or the tip of your knife, and then employ the chisel or back end of the knife to gently hammer in the new sash and glazier’s points into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches around the frame’s perimeter.
Putty
A baseball that is thrown or a rock that is errant or a fallen branch can cause a window to break or crack. Fortunately, windows can be replaced by simply placing a new piece in place. The glass is held in place by a small metal clip called the glazier’s pointed and putty, often called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area using a rag, a pull-type scraper, or a wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves when working. You’ll need a heating gun in the event that the window is glued into the frame.
If you’re planning to install the original sash, gently remove any pieces of molding that hold the old pane in place. Then sand the sash to ensure it’s smooth and ready for a new caulk. Once the sash is re-installed then, apply a new caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure it doesn’t swell or fade in time.
Remove the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash, which is where the glass is. If they’re difficult to chisel, hold a hand tool like a heat gun over them to allow them to soften before. When using a heated tool, be sure to not damage the sash’s railings and sash.
After the old glaze points and putty have been removed make a bed for the new pane. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, shaping it into a 1/2-inch thick. Press it into the rabbets where the glass will be placed. The glass should rest against the putty on both sides. If necessary, lightly tap your glass into the rabbet using your thumb.
If the new pane has a crack 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 form an airtight seal and keep water out. After the putty has dried remove the oily film off the glass and let it dry completely before painting. If you paint before the putty has 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 piece of glass. It’s true that replacing a single pane of glass doesn’t need to be expensive if you do it on your own. In fact even windows with double panes can be replaced at less than the cost of an expert.
First, if you’re working on a large-sized window, make sure it is securely attached to the frame. This task can be done relatively easy and quick with the right tools and techniques.
If you’re ready to begin, begin by removing the old window by removing the glazing points of metal that are connected to it. These are tiny metal triangles that function as “nails”, holding the window within the frame. They are placed under a glaze putty or bead which hardens into solid wedge that holds the frame securely in place and conceals the edges.
After taking off the old pane clean the frame and the wood. Scrape off any old paint and sand down the rabbet grooves in which the glazing points were. These should be sanded down to bare wood, to allow you to paint them the same shade as the rest of the frame. After sanding the wood then apply a layer of flax oil. This will help prolong the life of the frame.
Then, you need to measure the size of the window opening. You’ll need to determine the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the entire opening, as well as the thickness. To determine the exact size of the new pane subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. Take these dimensions to your local hardware or home improvement store, and they will have cut the glass for you.
Now, it’s time to bed the new window replacement cost uk 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.