Tami Fysh ha scritto 3 mesi fa
How to Replace window Pane Window Panes
A damaged or cracked window glass replacement can be a source of frustration. This could be an opportunity to upgrade to energy-efficient windows or insulated ones and enjoy benefits like increased comfort, higher resale value and reduced utility costs.
You can do it yourself for less than what it would cost to hire an expert. It requires the right equipment and an hour or two of your time.
Glass
Replace your single-paned windows using tempered or insulated glass to increase energy efficiency, reduce noise, and protect the historic integrity of your older home. Most homeowners with basic hand tools can repair windows with ease. You will also need a replacement window pane, glazier’s tips pliers, and latex glaze putty. If you need to you may make use of a heat gun to warm the old putty. Wear safety goggles and gloves prior to starting. Working with broken glass could result in serious injuries.
Remove any broken glass pieces that remain. It is best to use pliers for this however, a flathead may work as well. Then, use a wood chisel, or Replace window Pane putty knife, to remove the remaining old putty from the frame and sash. Work slowly and carefully making sure not to damage the old window sash. This is best done on a ladder, not the ground. Also, have someone lower to hold it steady.
Once you have removed all of the old putty, you can prepare the window frame for the new pane. To allow for seasonal expansion or contraction and contraction, subtract 1/8 inch from the measurements of width and height. Bring these measurements to an hardware store or home center, replace window pane and get a piece of stock glass cut to size. Alternatively, you can cut the glass yourself, if you have the right tools.
After putting the new pane in place, run a small bead of caulking around the edge to ensure it is weatherproof. Then, place a glazier’s tip on each side of the frame to hold the pane in its place. The points should not be tight enough to cause friction between the frame and sash however they should not be loose.
Before applying the putty to the surface, you must knead it thoroughly until it is soft and free from lumps. Roll it into pencil-sized strips. The first strip should be glued to the corner of the frame. Work from one corner to another and ensure that it is even and smooth.
Glazier’s Points
The glazier’s points are small triangular pieces that allow glass to be secured into frames for windows without scratching or damaging the fragile surface. Learning how to use these tiny pieces of help is simple and could save you money on a professional installation or the cost of purchasing new glass.
After getting rid of the old putty glazier points and any residue Clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife. Lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves if needed to smooth out rough areas. If you decide to sand the wood, ensure you protect it with painter’s tape to avoid accidental damage.
Measure the empty frame’s dimensions and note down precise measurements. Bring these measurements to a hardware store or a home center and request that 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 it into place firmly using your hand. Use the chisel’s point, or the back of the putty knife to tap the glazier’s points, as illustrated in Figure 11. After you’re done, the points should be level with the top edge of the pane. the raised shoulders of the points should be below the rabbet’s rim groove.
Apply a thin layer of glazing compound to the rabbet grooves and the edges of new glass. This will protect and seal the edges. Allow it to dry completely and cure.
Once the glazing compound has dried and the glazing compound is dry, you can install the new window sash. First, coat the wood with a heavy coat of Linseed oil. This will stop the new putty from sucking in the moisture and drying out and cracking over time. Use a brush to apply this coat, or even the tip of the putty blade. Then, use the chisel that is on the back of the putty tool or the back of the handle to gently hammer the new sash or glazier’s point into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.
Putty
A hurled baseball, an errant rock or falling branch could cause a window pane to break or crack. The majority of windows can be replaced by putting in a new piece. The glass is held in place with a small metal clip called a glazier’s point and putty, which is often called glazing compound. Remove the old pane and clean the area with a rag, a pull-type scraper or wood chisel. Wear safety glasses and gloves while doing this work. If the window is glued to the frame, you’ll need to employ a heat gun in order to soften the adhesive before cutting it loose.
If you are planning to replace the original sash in the future, take care to remove any molding pieces that are used to secure the old pane. Sand the sash until it is flat and ready to receive new caulk. Once the sash is put back in place then, you can apply a silicone caulk on the glass. This will ensure that it doesn’t get soiled or discolor over 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 the hand tool, like a heat gun over them for a few minutes to soften them. When using a heating tool, be sure to not scratch the sash or its railings.
Make the bed for your new pane after removing the old glaze points and putty. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your hands, shaping it to be around 1/2-inch thick. Press it into the rabbets where the glass will be put. The glass should rest against the putty on both sides. If you need to, lightly tap your glass into the rabbet with your thumb.
If the new pane is cracked 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 airtight seal and keep water out. Once the putty is dry remove the oily film off the glass and allow it to dry completely before you paint. If you paint before the putty has completely dry, it won’t form an effective seal and could be leaking or discoloring in time.
Paint
If you’ve suffered a break in a window pane, you might be concerned about the expense of replacing it. The truth is, replacing a single piece of glass doesn’t have to be expensive even if you do it your own. Even a double-paned window could be replaced at a fraction of the cost it would cost an expert.
If you are working on a large-sized window, ensure that it is securely attached to the frame. By using the correct tools and techniques, you can complete this task easily and speedy.
When you are ready to start, remove the old window pane. Pry out the metal glazing points that are attached to it. They are basically tiny metal triangles that act as “nails” which hold the window in place in the wood frame. They are submerged beneath a glaze putty or bead that hardens to solid wedge that holds the wood frame in place and hides the sharp edges.
After you have 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 were. Sand them down to bare wood surfaces, so that you can paint the frames the same shade. After sanding, apply a layer of flax oil on the wood’s surface to prolong its life.
The next step is to measure the dimensions 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 the exact measurement for the new pane. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass in times of seasonal change. Take these dimensions to your local 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.