Ten Easy Steps To Launch Your Own Replace Window Pane Business

How to Replace Window Panes

A cracked window pane can cause a lot of trouble. This could be an opportunity to upgrade to energy-efficient windows or insulated ones and enjoy advantages like improved comfort, higher resale value and reduced utility costs.

You can do it yourself for a fraction of what it would cost to hire an expert. It requires the right tools and only an hour or two of your time.

Glass

Replace your old single-paned windows with tempered or insulated glass to increase energy efficiency, reduce noise, and maintain the historical integrity of your home's older. The procedure of replacing a window pane is relatively easy and can be completed by most homeowners who possess basic hand tools. You will also need a replacement window pane, glazier's suggestions, pliers, and latex glazing putty. If you need to you can use a heatgun to warm the old putty. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to starting. Working with broken glass can cause serious injuries.

Begin by removing any remaining broken pieces of glass. This is best accomplished with a pair of pliers, though using flathead screwdrivers can be used in the pinch. Then, use a wooden chisel or putty knife remove the remaining old putty from the frame and the sash. Be careful to not damage the window sash. Take your time and work slowly. It is a good idea to work using a sturdy ladder instead of the ground, and to have someone stand below the sash in order to help hold it steady.

Prepare the window frame to accept the new pane after you have removed the old putty. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction and contraction, subtract 1/8 inch from the measurements of width and height. Bring these measurements to the nearest hardware store or home center and have a piece of stock glass cut to size. You can cut the glass yourself if you have the appropriate tools.

After putting in the new pane after installing the new pane, put a tiny amount of caulking along the edge to ensure it is weatherproof. Install a glazier's pointing on both sides of the frame. This will help secure the pane. The points should not be so tight that they cause friction between the frame and sash however they should not be too loose.

Before applying the putty to the surface, gently knead it until it is soft and free of lumps. Make it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip to the corner of the frame, working from one corner to the other so that it is smooth and even.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are the tiny triangular pieces of steel which help to secure glass into a window frame without damaging or scratching the delicate surface. It's easy to learn how to use this secret tool, and you'll be able to save money on the cost of a professional installation.

After taking off the old putty, glazier points and any leftovers clean the frame thoroughly using an utility knife. If needed, lightly sand the wood along grooves of the rabbets to smooth out rough spots. If you decide to sand the wood, make sure to protect it with painter's tape to avoid accidental damage.

Measure the empty frame's dimensions and note down precise measurements. Take these measurements to a hardware store or home center, and have the new pane cut smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure that the pane fits comfortably and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new window in the frame and press it in place by using your hands. Utilize the point of the chisel or the edge of the putty blade to tap the glazier's points as shown in Figure 11. The glazier's points should sit aligned with the top edge of the pane and the shoulders raised should be just below the lip.

Apply a thin layer of glazing compound on the rabbet grooves and the edges of the glass. This will protect and seal the edges. Let it dry and cure completely.

After the glazing compound dries, you're ready to install the new window sash. The first step is to coat the wood with an even layer of linseed. This will prevent the new putty from soaking up the moisture and deteriorating and cracking over time. Apply the coating using a brush this coat, or the tip of the blade. Then, use the chisel that is on the back of the tool or the back of the putty handle to gently smash the new sash or glazier's tip into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process in intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.

Putty

A baseball that is thrown or a rock that is errant or falling branch could cause a window pane to break or crack. Most windows can be repaired easily by putting in a new piece. The glass is held in the position with a tiny metal clip, also known as a glazier's point and putty. This compound is also referred to as glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area with a rag, a pull-type scraper or wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while doing this work. If the window is attached to the frame, you'll need to use a heat gun to soften the adhesive prior to cutting it loose.

If you're planning to reinstall your original sash, remove the molding that holds the old pane. Then you can sand the sash down to ensure it's level and ready for a new caulk. Once the sash is re-installed, apply a new caulk made of silicone around the glass to ensure it won't leak or discolor in time.

Remove the glazing points from the rabbets and the grooves in the sash, where the glass sits. If they're hard to cut, place a hand tool such as a heating gun over them for a few minutes to soften them. When using a heated tool, be careful to not scratch the sash or its railings.

After the old points of glazing and putty have been removed, prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a piece of glazing compound between your hands, shaping it to be about 1/2-inch thick. Place it into the rabbets, where the glass will be placed. The glass must rest against the putty on both sides. If necessary, lightly tap your glass into the rabbet with your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack you can fill it with a solvent-based glass glue or silicone caulk prior to pressing it into the sash. In other cases, you'll need to apply putty on the crack to create an impervious seal to keep water out. After the putty has dried, clean the oily film off the glass with the help of a rag. Allow it to dry completely prior to painting. Paint after the putty has dried completely. 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 expense of replacing it. But the truth is that replacing a single glass pane doesn't need to cost a fortune If you can do it yourself. Even a double-paned window could be replaced at a fraction of the cost of a window replacement it costs for a professional.

If you are working with large glass windows first ensure it is securely fixed to the frame. This job is relatively easy and fast using the proper tools and techniques.

When you are ready to start taking down the old window pane. Remove the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. These are basically small metal triangles that act as "nails" which hold the window in within the frame of wood. They are submerged beneath a bead or glazing putty that sets to form a solid wedge which holds the wood frame securely in place and hides the points.

After taking off the old pane clean the 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 sanding the wood you can apply a layer flax oil. This will help to extend its life.

Next, measure the size of the window's opening. You'll need to determine the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the entire opening, as well as the thickness. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure you have the exact size for the new pane. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass in times of seasonal changes. You can take these measurements to a hardware store 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.