Replacing Glass in a Double-Hung Window
I combined my experience with steps from Home Depot...and left out information not relevant to our wood windows.
0.
Purchase or gather supplies or tools:
a. glaze
b. glaziers points.
c. wire brush
d. pliers
e. screwdriver.
f. linseed oil.
g. painters tape.
h. exterior Latex paint.
i. assortment of brushes, especially smaller ones for the window frame.
j. heat gun
k. utility knife
l. putty knife
m. pencil or pen
n. paper
o. measuring tape
p. cut-proof gloves.
q. goggles
r. sanding block and sandpaper to get into grooves.
s. magnetized screw bowl.
Once you have any available supplies or tools and a list of what to purchase, do a measurement estimate for the glass pane (1/8 inch to 1/4 inch thick, size of the opening minus 1/8 inch in both dimensions). With that information, go to the store and buy all needed supplies, then check on where to get the replacement glass, cost, available thicknesses and sizes. Do not order the glass at this time!
1.
Remove the Window and Broken Glass
Be sure to do the removal early in the day to allow plenty of time to get the replacement piece.
Always remove the broken glass carefully.
Put on heavy, cut-proof gloves and eye protection.
Remove the storm window frame covering the double-hung window. Remove the side screws first and put in the magnetized screw bowl. Pry between the frame and the siding to loosen any adhesive that might have tied the frame to the siding. Remove the bottom screws next and again pry the frame off carefully. Finally move the side top screws, the final center screw, then try to pry off the top edge while holding the entire piece before setting it down.
Using painter's tape or duct tape, tape an "X" shape in the middle of the glass to be removed. Make sure to cover any areas that are already shattered or cracked. The more surface you can cover with the tape, the better. This step will help prevent injury and reduce clean up if the glass breaks during the removal process, as the tape collects the glass pieces and holds them together.
Remove the glazing medium to expose the entire glass pane. Carefully remove any glaziers points, starting with the sides first, then try to get it just one or two on top and one on bottom. With removal of the last bottom, you should be able to slide out the pane from the bottom.
If possible, remove the broken pane of glass in one piece.
If the glass is stuck, use gloved hands to wiggle them out carefully. For an old glazing compound, or putty, use a heat gun to warm up the material slightly. This should help release the more stubborn glass bits. If there is old tape or silicone holding the glass, carefully run the tip of a sharp utility knife between the glass and the old material to help break the seal.
2.
Measure Glass and buy it and try it out!
Measure the height, width and opening of your pane, and the thickness of the old glass. Write these measurements down: do not use the previous estimate.
You also need to note the type of glass. You can generally tell this by the way in which the old glass broke. If the glass broke in large, jagged pieces, it is likely annealed glass, which is the most common.
Order your new glass pane at least 1/16 inches shorter than the opening in all directions. It is a common mistake to buy the pane to fit exactly, but glass expands and contracts and an exactly fitting glass will most certainly crack when it expands!
Once back from the purchase, test fit the glass dry before setting it in place.
3. Prep the frame.
Once you’ve removed broken glass, you need to prepare the frame to be re-glazed.
Use a wire brush to clean out any dirt and residue on and inside the window frame.
With traditional glazing, soften the old compound with a heat gun (be careful not to scorch the wood).
Scrape away the softened material with a putty knife.
Scrape away any remaining old paint or compound in the l-shaped grooves. Then, sand the grooves down to bare wood.
Use a small brush and apply a few coats of linseed oil to the wood around the frame. Let the oil soak in. This will extend the life of the glazing.
Put painters tape around the perimeter about a half inch in from the glass edge. This will help protect the glass from excess glaze.
4.
Apply New Glazing and Set Window Glass
Use a caulking gun and squeeze a thin layer of window glazing compound in the primed grooves.
Set the new window glass in place.
Press the new window glass lightly to bed it.
Press in new glazing points every 10 inches with the tip of a putty knife.
Apply additional glazing compound by moving the tube tip along the edge of the glass while steadily squeezing the trigger.
Smooth the glazing with a wet finger.
Tip: If the compound is applied too thick, you will notice swelling and it will be visible around the pane.
5.
Paint the Window Frame
Take a look at your window frame to make sure it doesn't need a paint touch-up. If it does, follow these simple steps:
Lightly scrape away or gently sand any areas of peeling paint.
Latex glazing can usually be painted the same day.
Place painter’s tape over the glass in areas that need paint to within 1/16-inch of the glazing. Overlap the paint to improve its weather seal.
0.
Purchase or gather supplies or tools:
a. glaze
b. glaziers points.
c. wire brush
d. pliers
e. screwdriver.
f. linseed oil.
g. painters tape.
h. exterior Latex paint.
i. assortment of brushes, especially smaller ones for the window frame.
j. heat gun
k. utility knife
l. putty knife
m. pencil or pen
n. paper
o. measuring tape
p. cut-proof gloves.
q. goggles
r. sanding block and sandpaper to get into grooves.
s. magnetized screw bowl.
Once you have any available supplies or tools and a list of what to purchase, do a measurement estimate for the glass pane (1/8 inch to 1/4 inch thick, size of the opening minus 1/8 inch in both dimensions). With that information, go to the store and buy all needed supplies, then check on where to get the replacement glass, cost, available thicknesses and sizes. Do not order the glass at this time!
1.
Remove the Window and Broken Glass
Be sure to do the removal early in the day to allow plenty of time to get the replacement piece.
Always remove the broken glass carefully.
Put on heavy, cut-proof gloves and eye protection.
Remove the storm window frame covering the double-hung window. Remove the side screws first and put in the magnetized screw bowl. Pry between the frame and the siding to loosen any adhesive that might have tied the frame to the siding. Remove the bottom screws next and again pry the frame off carefully. Finally move the side top screws, the final center screw, then try to pry off the top edge while holding the entire piece before setting it down.
Using painter's tape or duct tape, tape an "X" shape in the middle of the glass to be removed. Make sure to cover any areas that are already shattered or cracked. The more surface you can cover with the tape, the better. This step will help prevent injury and reduce clean up if the glass breaks during the removal process, as the tape collects the glass pieces and holds them together.
Remove the glazing medium to expose the entire glass pane. Carefully remove any glaziers points, starting with the sides first, then try to get it just one or two on top and one on bottom. With removal of the last bottom, you should be able to slide out the pane from the bottom.
If possible, remove the broken pane of glass in one piece.
If the glass is stuck, use gloved hands to wiggle them out carefully. For an old glazing compound, or putty, use a heat gun to warm up the material slightly. This should help release the more stubborn glass bits. If there is old tape or silicone holding the glass, carefully run the tip of a sharp utility knife between the glass and the old material to help break the seal.
2.
Measure Glass and buy it and try it out!
Measure the height, width and opening of your pane, and the thickness of the old glass. Write these measurements down: do not use the previous estimate.
You also need to note the type of glass. You can generally tell this by the way in which the old glass broke. If the glass broke in large, jagged pieces, it is likely annealed glass, which is the most common.
Order your new glass pane at least 1/16 inches shorter than the opening in all directions. It is a common mistake to buy the pane to fit exactly, but glass expands and contracts and an exactly fitting glass will most certainly crack when it expands!
Once back from the purchase, test fit the glass dry before setting it in place.
3. Prep the frame.
Once you’ve removed broken glass, you need to prepare the frame to be re-glazed.
Use a wire brush to clean out any dirt and residue on and inside the window frame.
With traditional glazing, soften the old compound with a heat gun (be careful not to scorch the wood).
Scrape away the softened material with a putty knife.
Scrape away any remaining old paint or compound in the l-shaped grooves. Then, sand the grooves down to bare wood.
Use a small brush and apply a few coats of linseed oil to the wood around the frame. Let the oil soak in. This will extend the life of the glazing.
Put painters tape around the perimeter about a half inch in from the glass edge. This will help protect the glass from excess glaze.
4.
Apply New Glazing and Set Window Glass
Use a caulking gun and squeeze a thin layer of window glazing compound in the primed grooves.
Set the new window glass in place.
Press the new window glass lightly to bed it.
Press in new glazing points every 10 inches with the tip of a putty knife.
Apply additional glazing compound by moving the tube tip along the edge of the glass while steadily squeezing the trigger.
Smooth the glazing with a wet finger.
Tip: If the compound is applied too thick, you will notice swelling and it will be visible around the pane.
5.
Paint the Window Frame
Take a look at your window frame to make sure it doesn't need a paint touch-up. If it does, follow these simple steps:
Lightly scrape away or gently sand any areas of peeling paint.
Latex glazing can usually be painted the same day.
Place painter’s tape over the glass in areas that need paint to within 1/16-inch of the glazing. Overlap the paint to improve its weather seal.