Gwen Struthers ha scritto 3 mesi fa
How to Replace Window Panes
A damaged or cracked window is a nuisance. It could also be an opportunity to upgrade your glass to energy-efficient or insulated windows to enjoy benefits such as improved comfort, increased resale value and reduced utility bills.
You can do it yourself for only a fraction of the cost of replacement windows uk it would cost to employ an expert. It requires the right tools and an hour or two of your time.
Glass
If your single-pane windows are old broken, deteriorating or damaged replacing them with more modern glass that is tempered or insulated can improve energy efficiency and reduce noise while maintaining the historical integrity of older homes. Most homeowners with basic hand tools can repair the window pane. Alongside a replacement pane, the following items are needed for the replacement process: latex glazing putty pliers, glazier’s points and an electric heater to warm the old putty if required. Before starting, put on gloves and safety goggles as working with broken glass may cause injuries.
Take out any broken glass pieces remaining. This is best done using pliers, but flathead screwdrivers can be effective in the pinch. Then, use a wooden chisel or putty knife to remove the rest of the old putty from around the frame and the sash. Work slowly and carefully, taking care not to break the current window sash. This should be done on a ladder, not the ground. Also, ensure that someone on the ground to hold it steady.
Make sure that the window frame is ready to accept the new pane when you have removed the old putty. Measure the width and height of the sash opening and subtract 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 yourself, if you have the tools you need.
After installing the new glass, apply a small amount of caulking around the edge. This will make the glass weatherproof. Then install a glazier’s point on the frame’s opposite side to secure the pane in its place. The points shouldn’t be so tight that they 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. Roll it into pencil-sized strips. Apply the first strip to the corner of the frame. Work from one corner to the next and ensure that it is even and smooth.
Glazier’s Points
The glazier’s facets are small triangular pieces that allow glass to be secured into frames for windows without damaging or scratching the delicate surface. Learning how to use these hidden tiny helpers is simple and can save you money on professional installation or the cost of new glass.
After taking off the old putty, glazier points as well as any remaining leftovers clean the frame thoroughly with an utility knife. Lightly sand the wood in the rabbet grooves, if necessary, to smooth rough areas. If you decide to sand the wood, make sure to protect it by using painter’s tape to prevent accidental damage.
Take the dimensions of the frame and record precise measurements. Take these dimensions 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 comfortably and allows for expansion and contraction.
Place the new pane in the frame and push it into place firmly with your hand. Make use of the chisel’s point or the back of the putty knife to tap in the glazier’s points as shown in Figure 11. When you’re done taping, they should be level with the top edge of the pane, and the raised shoulders of the points should be below the rabbet’s lip. groove.
Apply a thin layer glazing compound on the rabbet grooves as well as the edges of the glass. This will seal and protect the edges. Allow it to dry and cure completely.
Install the new window sash when the glazing compound has dried. The first step is to coat the wood with a thick layer of linseed. This will keep the new putty from soaking up moisture and deteriorating and cracking over time. Use a brush to apply this coat, or even 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 hit the new sash, or glazier’s tip into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this process at intervals of 10 inches all around the frame.
Putty
A baseball that is thrown or an unintentional rock, or a fallen branch can cause a window to crack or break. Most windows can be replaced easily by installing a new piece. The glass is held in position by a small metal clip, referred to as a glazier’s point and putty. This compound is also called glazing compound. Before installing a replacement pane, first take out the old one and clean the area using an abrasive and a pull-type paint scraper or the wood chisel. Wear protective glasses and gloves while doing this work. If the window is secured to the frame, Replace window pane you’ll need to make use of a heat gun to soften the adhesive before prying it free.
If you are planning to replace Window Pane the original sash, gently remove any pieces of molding that hold the old pane in place. Sand the sash until it’s flat and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is put back in place then, you can apply a silicone caulk over the glass. This will ensure that it won’t get soiled or discolor over time.
Remove the glazing points in the rabbets. These are the grooves on the sash where the glass is. If they are hard to chisel, use an instrument such as a heating gun over them to allow them to soften before. If you’re using a heating gun, be cautious not to damage the sash or its railings by placing the tool too tightly.
Once the old glazing points and putty are removed, prepare a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope made of glazing compound between your fingers and make it around 1/2 inch thick. Then, press it into the rabbets, where the glass will be. It’s important that the glass rests against the putty in all places on both sides, so if you need to tap it, gently press the glass into the rabbet using your thumb.
If the new pane is cracked, you can apply a silicone caulk or glass glue based on solvents to fill in the crack prior to pressing it in the sash. If the crack isn’t sealed, you will need to apply putty to keep water from getting in. After the putty has dried then clean the oily film off the glass with a rag and allow it to dry completely prior to painting. If you paint before the putty is fully dry, it won’t form a solid seal and could leak or discolor in time.
Paint
You might be worried about replacing a broken piece of glass. It’s true that replacing a single pane glass doesn’t need to be costly when you do it on your own. In fact windows with double panes can be replaced at only a fraction of the cost of an expert.
First, if you are working on a large window, make sure that it is securely fastened to the frame. This task is relatively easy and fast using the right tools and techniques.
When you are ready to begin, remove the old window pane. Pry out the glazing points made of metal that are attached to it. These are small metal triangles which act as “nails”, holding the window in place. They are submerged under a bead of glazing putty, which transforms into a solid molded wedge which holds the window in place and hides the window’s points.
Once you have the old pane removed clean the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape off any paint that has been used and sand the rabbet grooves in which the glazing points were. Sand them down to clean wooden surfaces, allowing you to paint the frames the same shade. After the sanding process, apply a coat of flax oil on the wood’s surface to extend the life of the frame.
Then, take measurements of the dimensions of the window opening. You will need to take vertical and horizontal measurements of the entire opening as well as 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 bring these measurements to a 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.