How to replace window handle Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window can be a nuisance. 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 resale value and reduced utility bills.

It's a task you can take on yourself for a fraction of the cost of hiring a professional. It requires the right equipment and an hour or two of your time.

Glass

Replace Window Pane your single-paned windows using tempered or insulated glass to increase the efficiency of your energy, reduce noise, and protect the historical integrity of your old home. A majority of homeowners with hand tools can replace the window pane. You'll also require an extra window pane, glazier's tips pliers, and latex glaze putty. If you need to you can use a heatgun to warm the old putty. Before beginning, wear protective gloves and goggles since working with broken glass may cause injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. It is recommended to use pliers for this, but a flathead can be useful equally. Utilize a wood chisel or putty knives to remove any old putty remaining around the frame and the window sash. Be careful to not scratch the window sash. Be careful and slow. It is best to work on a sturdy ladder rather than the ground and have someone stand below the sash to help hold it steady.

After you have removed all the old putty, you can prepare the window frame for the new pane. Measure the width and height of the opening for the sash and subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). 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 tools you need.

After putting in the new glass Apply a small amount of caulking on the edges. This will make the glass weatherproof. Install a glazier's pointing on both sides of the frame. This will help secure the pane. The points shouldn't be too tight as to cause friction between the sash and frame however they shouldn't be loose.

Before putting the putty on, make sure to knead it until it is soft and free of lumps. Then, roll it into pencil-size strips. The first strip should be glued to the frame's corner. Work from one corner to the next, making sure it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are tiny triangular metal pieces which help to secure the glass into the window frame without causing damage to the delicate surface. Learning how to use these hidden little helpers is easy and could save you money on professional installation or the cost of new glass.

After the old putty as well as the glazier's points have been removed Clean the frame thoroughly with a utility knife to remove any remaining residue. If necessary, lightly sand the wood along grooves of the rabbets to smooth out rough spots. If you sand wood protect it with painter’s tape to prevent accidental damage.

Take measurements of the empty frame and record precise measurements. These measurements can be brought to an hardware or home centers store, and the new pane will be cut to a smaller size. This will ensure that the pane fits snugly and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new window in the frame and press it into the frame using your hand. Use the chisel's point, or the back of the putty knife to tap the glaziers' points as shown in Figure 11. The glazier's points should be flush against the top edge of your pane and the shoulders should be just below that 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. Let it dry and cure completely.

Install the new window sash once the glazing compound has dried. First, saturate the wood with a thick coat of Linseed oil. This will stop the new putty from taking in the moisture and drying out and cracking over time. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or even the tip of the blade. Then, use the chisel on the back of the tool or the back of the handle to gently smash the new sash or glazier's point into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches around the frame.

Putty

A baseball thrown at you, an errant rock or a falling branch can cause a replacement window glass pane to break or crack. Most windows can be repaired easily by putting in a new piece. 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. Before you install a new pane, first remove the old one and clean up the area using the help of a rag, a pull-type paint scraper or an abrasive wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses when you work. You'll need a heat gun if the window is glued to the frame.

If you plan to reinstall the original sash in the future, take care to remove any pieces of molding that are used to secure the old pane. Then, sand the sash to make sure it's flat and ready for a new caulk. Once the sash is installed and sanded, apply a fresh silicone caulk to the glass to ensure that it won't leak or discolor in time.

Take out the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash where the glass is. If they're difficult to work out, you can try holding an instrument like a heat gun to soften them before you do. If you're using a heat gun, make sure not to damage the railings or sash by using the tool too closely.

After the old points of glazing and putty have been removed make a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your hands, and form it to be about 1/2-inch thick. Then, push it into the rabbets in which the glass will rest. It's important that the glass is positioned against the putty on each side, so if you need to, lightly tap the glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane is cracked, you can cover it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk before pressing it into the sash. If the crack isn't sealed, you will need to use putty to keep the water out. Once the putty is dry remove the oily film off of the glass and allow it to dry completely before you paint. Paint after the putty is completely dry. It won't form a good seal and could discolor replace window pane or leak over time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a broken pane of glass. But the truth is that replacing a single glass pane doesn't require a huge amount of money when you do it yourself. Even a double-paned window could be replaced at a fraction of the cost it costs an expert.

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

When you are ready to start, remove the old window pane. Remove the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles which function as "nails" that hold the window in place within the frame of wood. They are submerged beneath a layer of glazing putty that hardens into a solid, molded wedge that holds the window firmly in place and hides the window's points.

After you have removed the old pane removed, clean up the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape off any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points used to be. These should be sanded to bare wood, 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 that is not sanded down to prolong its life.

Next, measure the width of the window's opening. You will need to measure the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the entire opening, as well as the thickness. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure that you get a precise size for the new pane. This will allow for seasonal changes in the glass. Take these measurements to the 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.