Window Pane Replacement

A broken window pane needs to be fixed immediately, and replacing it is an easy job even for someone who has no prior experience of doing any home improvement tasks. Replacing a pane is useful in many aspects, as it stops excess air from entering the room.

There are some specific tools that you will require before you get started, and some of these are important for your own safety. There is likely to be a lot of broken glass around the window, and even removing the broken pane can be a risky prospect, so it is best to use as much safety gear as possible.

You will need the following tools before you start.

• Work gloves
• Eye protection
• New window pane
• Measuring tape
• Hammer
• Towel
• Screwdriver
• Long-nosed pliers
• Glazing compound
• Putty knife
• Glaziers points
• Paint brush
• Fast-drying primer

The first thing that you need to do is take the old broken pane out. This can be a tricky step, so you need to be very careful while doing this.

It's important that you follow all safety measures so that you don't cut your fingers. Whenever a pane gets smashed there are a few sharp shards that remain, so these need to be completely removed.

Wear your gloves and eye protection while doing this. Now, place the towel over the pieces that are remaining, and use the hammer to shatter them. Collect the broken pieces in the towel and dispose it off in a suitable manner. Make sure that no traces of the old window are left, as it will be impossible to continue in case they are.

There will be some glazing compound on the perimeter of the pane, and you should scrape this off with a screwdriver. Now, using the pliers, pull out any glaziers points that are holding the glass together.

These are small triangular shaped metallic objects that need to be taken out of the way. Your frame is now ready for the replacement, as it is completely clean and smooth.

Now comes the most important part: inserting the new pane into place. Follow the guidelines given here for the best results

• Rub the putty into thin strips, and press the pieces into the exterior border of the window frame. This will hold the pane in place, and also provide some waterproof protection.
• Place the new pane into place, and push it inside with the putty knife.

Now, you need to fix up the glaziers points to hold the pane in place. The pointed side needs to be pushed into the frame. You can use your thumb or a screwdriver to do this. These glaziers points need to be on all the sides of the pane.

There should be a distance of at least 8 inches between two glaziers points. Also, there should be a glaziers point within 2 inches of each corner on both the sides of the corner.

Finally, rub some glazing compound into thin strips and push it inside the small spaces between the pane and the window frame. Smoothen out the edges using your putty knife.

Replacing a double pane window is comparatively more complicated, though the process remains the same. The only difference is that no matter what the damage, the replacement has to be carried out for both the sheets of glass.

Only an experienced person can carry out this procedure with finesse, and if it is your first time, you should let a professional handle this task.