How to Replace a Broken Windowpane

If you have a cracked or broken windowpane that needs to be repaired or replaced, it is a pretty easy project that you should be able to do yourself. You just need a few supplies, tools and some patience. It is very important that you keep your windows well maintained. Your windows keep your home insulated, which saves on your cooling and heating bills. Here are some tips for how to replace a windowpane.

The first thing you need to do is collect the supplies and tools you need for your repair job. You will need replacement window panes, window glaze, gloves, chisel, hammer, a wire brush, a measuring tape, heat gun or blow dryer, safety goggles and a putty knife.

Put on your safety goggles and gloves and remove the broken windowpane. If there are any panes that are unbroken use your chisel to chip off the glazing points and old glazing so you can remove the glass. You can first soften the glazing using a heat gun or blower dryer if you want to make your job easier. Once you have all of the glass removed, clean the window frame with a wire brush.

Next measure the opening in your windowpane and then subtract an eighth of an inch from both your vertical and horizontal measurements. You need some breathing room so that glass is not jammed in too tight. Without room for expansion, the glass may break.

Once you have your measurements you can go to a hardware store or glass shop to buy your replacement glass. After you get back home put the replacement glass into the window's opening. Use at least two glazing points on each side of the window. Make sure you do not press down too hard or the glass may break. Using your putty knife, push the glazing point in and then tap the point in with a hammer.

After you have the windowpane in place, apply glazing to the window frame and replacement glass with a putty or glazing knife. You should not attempt to open the window for at least twenty four hours to allow the glazing to dry. Once the glazing has dried apply at least one coat of paint. This will help to protect the window's glazing.

That's about all there is to it. Replacing a broken windowpane is not too difficult and should only take a small amount of time and effort for you to get the job done.