How to Replace Window Panes
A damaged window pane can be an issue. It could also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy efficient or insulated windows and enjoy benefits such as greater comfort, a higher potential for resales, and less bills.
It's a project you can do yourself for less than the cost of hiring a professional. 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 preserve the historic integrity of your old home. The process of replacing the window replacement companies pane is easy and can be accomplished by most homeowners who possess basic hand tools. Alongside a replacement windows cost pane, the following items are needed such as latex glazing putty; pliers, glazier's points and a heat gun for warming the old putty, if necessary. Before beginning, wear gloves and safety glasses as working with broken glass can cause injuries.
Take away any broken glass pieces that remain. This can be done with pliers, but a flathead screwdriver can also be used in the pinch. Utilize a wood chisel or putty knives to remove any remaining old putty around the frame and window sash. Be careful to not scratch the window sash. Be careful and slow. This is best done on an elevated ladder, not on the ground. Also, you should have someone below the sash ensure it is held steady.
Prepare the window frame to accept the new pane when you have removed the old glue. 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 an hardware store or home center, and find a piece glass cut to size. You can also cut the glass by yourself if you possess the appropriate tools.
After putting the new pane in place after installing the new pane, put a tiny amount of caulking around the edge to seal it against weather. Then, you can install a glazier's pointing on each side of the frame to secure the pane into the right place. The points shouldn't be too tight as to cause friction between the frame and sash however they shouldn't be too loose.
Before applying the putty, make sure to knead it until it is smooth and free of lumps. Cut it into pencil-sized pieces. Place the first strip in the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to another to ensure it is even and smooth.
Glazier's Points
The glazier's points are tiny triangular pieces of steel that help secure the glass into the replacement window frame without causing any damage to the fragile surface. It's easy to learn how to use this secret tool, and you'll save money on the cost of an installation by a professional.
After removing the old putty, glazier points, and any other leftovers clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife. If needed it is necessary to lightly sand the wood along rabbet grooves to smooth out rough spots. If you decide to sand the wood, be sure to protect it with painter's tack to avoid accidental damage.
Measure the empty frame's dimensions and record precise measurements. These measurements can be taken to an hardware or home centers store, and the new frame will be cut to a smaller size. This will ensure that the pane fits perfectly and allows for expansion and contraction.
Place the new pane in the frame and push it in place with your hand. Make use of the point of the chisel, or the back of the putty blade to smudge the glaziers' points as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's point should be flush against the top edge of the pane and the shoulders should be just below the lip.
Apply a thin layer glazing compound to the rabbet grooves and edges of new glass. This will seal and protect the edges. Allow it to dry completely and cure.
Once the glazing compound has dried it's time to put in the new window sash. First, saturate the wood with a heavy coat of linseed oil. This will keep the new putty from taking up moisture and deteriorating and cracking with time. 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 press the new sash and glazier's tips into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process every 10 inches around the perimeter of the frame.
Putty
A baseball that is thrown or a rock that is errant or a fallen branch can cause a window pane to crack or break. Fortunately, the majority of windows can be repaired by simply placing a new piece in place. The glass is held into the position with a tiny metal clip, called a glazier’s point and putty. This compound is also called glazing compound. Before installing a new pane, first remove the old one and clean the area using an abrasive and the pull-type paint scraper or the wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses when you work. You'll need a heat gun when the Window panes replacement is fixed into the frame.
If you are planning to replace the original sash, take off the molding that holds the old pane. Sand the sash until it is flat and ready to receive new caulk. After the sash has been re-installed and sanded, apply a fresh caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure that it won't leak or discolor over time.
Take the glazing points out of the rabbets, the grooves in the sash, where the glass is. If they're difficult to work out, you can try holding an instrument like a heat gun over them to soften them before you do. When using a heat tool, be sure to not damage the sash and its railings.
Create a bed for your new pane after removing the old putty and glazing points. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, forming it into a 1/2-inch thick. Then, push it into the rabbets in which the glass will be. It is crucial that the glass is positioned against the putty on each side So if you have to do so, gently tap the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.
If the new pane is cracked, you can use a silicone caulk or a glass glue that is based on solvents to seal the crack prior to pressing it into the sash. Otherwise, you'll need to apply putty on the crack to create a tight seal and keep water out. After the putty has dried then clean the oily film off the glass using an abrasive and allow it to dry completely before painting. If you paint before the putty is fully dry, it won't form a solid seal and could be leaking or discoloring in time.
Paint
You might be worried about replacing a broken piece of glass. But the truth is that 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 at less than the cost of a professional.
If you're working with large glass windows first, ensure that it is securely attached 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 by removing the metal glazing points that are connected to it. These are tiny metal triangles that act as "nails" that hold the window in place. They are submerged under a bead of glazing putty that transforms into a solid molded wedge that holds the window firmly in place and hides the points.
After taking off the old pane clean the frame and the wood. Scrape off any old paint, and sand the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were placed. Sand them down to clean wood surfaces, so that you can paint the frames with the same color. After sanding the wood you can apply a layer flax oil. This will help to prolong the life of the frame.
Then, you need to measure the size of the window's opening. You will need to take vertical and horizontal measurements of the entire opening, and also the thickness of the old pane. To determine the exact dimensions of the new pane, subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. You can take these measurements to a hardware or home improvement shop and get 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.