Depending on the types of windows you have in your home, you may be able to replace a windowpane with relative ease. If you have large windows or specifically glazed windows it may be best to contact a
local handyman. Otherwise, if little Johnny’s cricket ball has gone through the study window, again, and you have traditional windowpanes, follow this step-by-step guide to replace it.
1. Measure the window
Measure the windowpane that needs replacing. These are the measurements you’ll give to the hardware store glass cutters, so try to be as accurate as you can.
2. Gather your equipment
Check that you have all the equipment you need before you make a trip to the hardware store. This includes: gloves; goggles; tape measure; wood chisel, putty knife, or razor scraper; hammer; duct tape; coarse sandpaper; drop sheet or cloth for the ground underneath the window; caulk and caulk gun; glaziers’ points; putty; glass cut to the specific size you need.
3. Buy your windowpane
All the equipment should be available at your hardware store, and they should do glass cuttings but if you are unsure, call them beforehand and ask. Once you know, go to your hardware store and ask for a windowpane in the measurements that you need.
4. Clean up and prepare
Back at home, spread your sheet or cloth underneath your working area to collect any debris that may fall while on the job. Then chip off the glazing around the existing pane of glass using your putty knife.
5. Remove the glass
Your windowpane has broken but there may be a lot of glass still in the pane. Tape an “X” on both sides of the window with your duct tape and tap the glass gently with a hammer (you do not have to hit it, you are only cracking the glass). Then pull or push the glass so that you can remove it from the pane. Clean up any other glass that may have fallen and dispose of it safely.
6. Sand down the wooden border
If your boarder is made from metal, you can skip this step. Otherwise, sand down the window to the bare wood. Make sure you’re wearing your gloves; if you’ve missed some glass, you could cut yourself badly.
7. Install the new glass
Now that you’ve cleaned and prepared your working space, you are ready to install the new glass. It’s important to work swiftly. Use your caulk gun and run a line of caulk in the groove of the wooden pane. Run it on all four sides. This helps seal the window against weather elements.
8. Press the glass into the caulk
Manoeuvre the glass and push it into the caulk to seal the window. Start from the bottom and make sure the glass is secure before you let go.
9. Insert glaziers’ points
These are small metal taps that you can insert using your putty knife. You should do this at the centre of each side of your windowpane. This secures the glass into the pane.
10. Apply the window putty
Work with your putty in your hands and warm it up so that it is malleable. Divide it into four and roll it into strands. Lay a strand of the putty on each side of the windowpane and press in firmly to create a secure seal around your window. Scrape off any excess with your putty knife.
11. Clean up and wait
Clean up your area – again be weary of any overlooked glass pieces. Fold up your drop cloth and dump its contents into the garbage. And then wait. It can take 7-10 days for the putty to set. If you’re planning on painting the pane, you should wait until after the putty is cured.
Replacing a windowpane isn’t too hard, but it’s not a job for an inexperienced DIYer. Consider calling
a handyman for assistance, because the dangers of handling and attempting to install a large window are uncomfortably high. Large glass panels can be expensive and heavy. If you don’t have the right equipment to transport and handle them correctly, they could chip, crack, or shatter.