자유게시판

How to Replace Window Panes

A cracked window pane can be a source of frustration. It could also be a chance to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows and benefit from greater comfort, a higher resale value and reduced utility bills.

This is a project you could do yourself for a fraction of the cost of hiring an expert. It requires the right tools and an hour or two 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 increase energy efficiency and decrease noise while preserving the original character of older homes. The procedure of replacing a window pane is relatively easy and can be accomplished by homeowners with basic hand tools. In addition to a replacement upvc window handles pane, the following items are required for the replacement window seals process: latex glazing putty glazier's points; pliers; and a heat gun for warming the old putty, if necessary. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to starting. Working with broken glass could cause serious injuries.

Begin by removing any broken pieces of glass. This is best done using a pair of pliers, though using a flathead screwdriver may work in the pinch. Then, use a wood chisel, or putty knife, to remove the remaining old putty from the frame and the sash. Take your time and work slowly, taking care not to break the existing window sash. It is recommended to do this on a sturdy ladder rather than the ground and to have someone stand below the sash to help keep it in place.

Make sure that the window frame is ready to receive the new pane after you have removed the old glue. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction and contraction, subtract 1/8 inch from the measurements of the width and height. Take these measurements to the nearest hardware store or home center and find a piece glass cut to size. You can cut the glass yourself if you have the appropriate tools.

After installing the new glass Apply some caulking around the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Install a glazier's point on both sides of the frame. This will help secure the pane. The points shouldn't be tight enough to create friction between the frame and sash however they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty on the surface, you must knead it thoroughly until it is smooth and free of lumps. Make it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip to the corner of the frame. Work from one corner to the next to ensure it's even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier’s points are small triangular pieces of steel which help to secure the glass to the frame without damaging the delicate surface. It's easy to understand how to use this secret tool, and you'll be able to save money on the expense of an expert installation.

After the old putty and the glazier's point are gone, thoroughly clean the frame with a utility knife to remove any remaining traces. Lightly sand the frame in the rabbet grooves, if necessary, to smooth rough areas. If you decide to sand the wood, make sure to protect it with painter's tack to avoid accidental damage.

Take the dimensions of the frame and record precise measurements. Bring these measurements to a hardware store or a home center, and have the new pane cut slightly smaller than the frame's opening. This will ensure that the pane fits snugly and allows for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane into the frame and push firmly with your hands. Make use of the chisel's point, or the back of the putty blade to tap in the glazier's points, as illustrated in Figure 11. When you're done taping, they should be in line with the top edge of the pane and the raised shoulders of the points should be just below the lip of the rabbet groove.

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

Install the new window sash when the glazing compound has dried. First, coat the wood with a heavy coat of Linseed oil. This will stop the new putty from taking up the moisture and drying out and cracking over time. Apply this coat using a brush or the tip of your putty knife, and then use the chisel, or the back end of the putty knife to gently hammer in the new sash and glazier's point into the rabbet grooves. Repeat this process every 10 inches around the perimeter of the frame.

Putty

A baseball that is thrown or an unintentional rock, or a falling branch can cause a window to crack or break. Fortunately, windows can be replaced by simply placing a new piece in place. The glass is held in place with a small metal clip called a glazier's point, and putty, which is often called glazing compound. Before installing a new pane, first remove the old one and clean up the area with an abrasive and an abrasive scraper that is a pull type or a wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while working. You'll need a heating gun if the window is glued to the frame.

If you're planning to reinstall the original sash, take off the mold that holds the old pane. Then you can sand the sash down to ensure it's smooth and ready to be re-caulked. After the sash has been re-installed, nearest apply a new silicone caulk to the glass to ensure that it doesn't swell or fade over time.

Take out 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 an instrument such as a heatgun over them for a few minutes to soften them. When using a heating tool, be careful to not damage the sash or its railings.

Create a bed for your new pane after removing the old putty and glazing points. Roll a rope with glazing compound between your fingers and make it around 1/2 inch thick. Place it into the rabbets, where the glass will be placed. The glass must be positioned against the putty on both sides. If needed, lightly tap your glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has cracked, you can apply a silicone caulk or a glass glue made from solvents to cover the crack before pressing it into the sash. Otherwise, you'll need to apply putty on the crack to form an impervious seal to keep water out. After the putty has dried then clean the oily film off the glass using an abrasive and allow it to completely dry before painting. If you paint before the putty has completely dry, it won't form an effective seal and could be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

You may be concerned about replacing a broken piece of glass. The truth is, replacing a single pane of glass doesn't need to be expensive if you do it on your own. In fact, even a double-pane window can be replaced at a fraction of 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 is relatively easy and quick with the proper tools and techniques.

When you are ready to start taking down the old window pane. Pry out the metal glazing points attached to it. These are tiny triangles of metal that function as "nails", holding the window in place. They are buried beneath a glaze putty or bead that hardens to an unbreakable wedge which holds the wood frame firmly in position and hides the points.

After you have removed the old pane taken away Clean up the frame and wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points were. These should be sanded to bare wood to allow you to paint them the same color as the rest the frame. After sanding the wood then apply a layer of flax oil. This will help to extend its life.

The next step is to determine 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. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to ensure that you have the exact size for the new pane. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass during seasons of change. Bring these measurements to the hardware or home improvement store, and they will 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.