NEWS

How to replace window pane Window Panes

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

It's a task you can take on yourself for a fraction of the cost of hiring an expert. You'll need only the right tools and a few hours of your time.

Glass

If your single pane windows are old damaged, cracked or deteriorating replacing them with modern glass that is tempered or insulated can improve energy efficiency and reduce noise while preserving the historic integrity of older homes. The process of replacing a window pane is relatively easy and can be completed by most homeowners who possess basic hand tools. In addition to a new pane, the following items are needed: latex glazing putty; Glazier's points; pliers and a heat gun for warming the old putty if required. Before starting, wear gloves and safety glasses as working with broken glass may cause injuries.

Remove any broken glass pieces remaining. This can be done with a pair of pliers, however, a flathead screwdriver may be used in the pinch. Make use of a wood chisel or putty knives, to take away any old putty remaining around the frame and the window sash. Be careful to not break the window sash. Work slowly and carefully. It is a good idea to work on a stable ladder rather than the ground, and to have someone standing below the sash to help keep it in place.

Prepare the window frame to accommodate the new pane once you have removed the old glue. Find the width and the height of the opening for the sash by subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). These measurements can be taken to a home center or hardware store to have a piece cut of glass that is in stock to the correct size. You can also cut the glass by yourself if you have the right tools.

After putting in the new glass, apply a small amount of caulking to the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Install a glazier’s point on both sides of the frame. This will ensure the pane. The points should not be so tight that they cause friction between the frame and the sash however they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty, make sure to knead it until it is soft and free of lumps. Then, roll it into pencil-size strips. Apply the first strip to the corner of the frame. Work from corner to corner and ensure that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular metal pieces which help to secure the glass into the window frame without causing any damage to the fragile surface. Knowing how to use these tiny pieces of help is simple and can save you money on a professional installation or the cost of purchasing new glass.

After taking off the old putty, glazier points as well as any remaining leftovers clean the frame thoroughly using an utility knife. If necessary it is necessary to lightly sand the wood in the grooves of the rabbets to smooth out rough spots. If you do sand your wood, make sure to protect it with painter's tape to avoid 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 made slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure a snug fit and leave room for expansion and contraction.

Place the new window in the frame and push it in place with your hand. Utilize the point of the chisel or the back of the putty knife to smudge the glazier's points, as shown in Figure 11. The glazier's point should be aligned with the top edge of your pane, and the shoulders should be just below the lip.

Apply a small amount of glazing compound over the edges of the glass that has been made and into the rabbet grooves, to seal and protect them. Allow this to dry and cure fully.

Install the new window sash replacement sash once the glazing compound has dried. First, you need to coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will stop the new putty from drying out or replace window pane cracking as it absorbs moisture. Apply this coat using a brush or the edge of your putty knife, and then use the chisel, or the back end from the putty knife to gently hammer in the new sash and glazier's points into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

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, the majority of windows can be repaired by simply putting a brand new piece in the right place. The glass is held into the position with a tiny metal clip, Replace Window Pane also known as the glazier's point, and putty. This compound is also referred to as glazing compound. Before installing a replacement pane, first take out the old one and clean up the area using the help of a rag, an abrasive scraper that is a pull type or the wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves when working. You'll require a heat gun when the window is fixed into the frame.

If you are planning to reinstall the original sash, take off the molding that supports the old pane. Sand the sash until it's flat and ready to receive new caulk. Once the sash is installed and sanded, apply a fresh caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure it will not leak or change color in time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash, which is where the glass is. If they're difficult to cut, place a hand tool like a heat gun over them for a few minutes to soften them. If you're using a heat gun, be cautious not to scratch the sash or its railings by holding the tool too close.

Once the old points of glazing 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, press it into the rabbets in which the glass will rest. The glass should rest against the putty on both sides. If needed you want to tap your glass lightly into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack, you can cover it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk prior pressing it into the sash. Otherwise, you'll need to apply putty over the crack to form a tight seal and keep water out. After the putty has dried remove the oily film from the glass and allow it to dry completely before painting. Paint after the putty has dried completely. It won't create a solid seal and could be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

You might be worried about replacing a damaged piece of glass. But the truth is that replacing a single glass pane doesn't need to cost a fortune when you do it yourself. Even double-paned windows can be replaced for a fraction of the price it costs a professional.

If you're working with a large glass window, first make sure it is securely fixed to the frame. This job can be done relatively easy and fast with the right tools and techniques.

When you're ready to start, begin by removing the old window pane by removing the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. These are basically small metal triangles which function as "nails" that hold the window in in the wood frame. They are placed under a bead of glazing putty, which is then cured to form a solid, formed wedge that holds the window replacement companies firmly in place and conceals the points.

Once you have the old pane taken away, clean up the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape away any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were. These should be sanded to the point of being bare, so that you can paint them the same color as the rest the frame. After the sanding process, apply a coat of flax oil to the wood's surface to extend the life of the frame.

Then, take measurements of the dimensions of the window's opening. It is necessary to take horizontal and vertical measurements of the entire opening, and also 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 during seasonal change. You can bring these measurements to a hardware store or home improvement shop 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.