Don Vandervort, Head Homeboy, has written more than 30 DIY home improvement books, been a segment host on HGTV, served as MSN.com's home improvement expert and written countless magazine articles.
Do you have a window that is suffering from a cracked or shattered pane? The good news is that repair generally is not difficult. Small, single-paned window glass is an easy job for do-it-yourselfers. For large panes or dual glazing (or other high-performance glass), it's usually smart to call a glass dealer--in most cases, a special pane will have to be ordered.
Buy the same type and size of glass that was originally installed in the window so the replacement will match (this may not be possible if you have an older home).
Wear heavy gloves and safety goggles. Before removing broken glass, tape newspaper to the inside of the sash to catch splinters. Then, pad glass shards with layers of newspaper to transport the debris to the garbage.
To bed the new glass, you can use conventional glazing compound, which is like a thick paste and is applied with a putty knife, or a newer caulk-like compound that is applied with a caulking gun (this can be a little trickier to apply). Don't use old glazing compound--it will be too difficult to apply and won't bond well.
Because panes of glass larger than 2 by 3 feet are awkward and dangerous to handle, replacing them is best left to a professional window installer.
1. Tape the cracked pane with a cross-hatch of duct tape to prevent glass shards from falling out as you work. Be sure to wear safety glasses during this task. When you're finished, you can tape newspaper to the inside of the window to help catch broken glass.
2. Use a 5-in-1 tool to remove the old window putty. If necessary, warm the old putty with a heat gun, but be very careful not to scorch the frame (keep a fire extinguisher nearby). Wear heavy work gloves.
3. Remove any broken glass, and then pry out metal glazier's points. Use a wire brush to scrub the rabbeted area of the window frame. Dust it off, and then apply linseed oil to the rabbet, using a small brush.
4. Soften the glazing compound by warming it. Then roll it into a thin rope with your hands, and use a 5-in-1 tool and your fingers to press this rope around the opening where the glass will go.
5. Press the new pane into place, and remove excess putty. Secure the pane by pressing glazier's points into place with a 5-in-1 tool (use two points on each side for small panes and one point every 4 to 6 inches for larger ones). Be careful not to push against the glass; this could crack it.
6. Roll more putty into a rope about 1/4 inch thick; apply it around the outside edges. With a putty knife, smooth and bevel the putty at about a 30-degree angle, keeping the top edge even with the inside edge of the muntin. Once the putty is dry, paint it to match the wood.
Seals, Gaskets, or Mouldings
To replace glass secured with rubber seals, unscrew the two sash halves and remove the inside one. Brush out glass fragments, set a new pane against one sash half, replace the other half of the sash, and secure the sash parts with screws.
If the glass sits on a continuous rubber gasket (or four separate ones), remove the screws from a vertical end of the sash, and pull the end away from the sash. Clean out the old glass, and then pull the gasket around the new pane; slide the pane into the sash, and secure the end.
To replace glass in a sash with snap-out mouldings, loosen one end of a piece of moulding by inserting the tip of a putty knife where two ends meet. Pry gently, using the frame for leverage. Pull out the loosened strip of moulding. When you have replaced the pane, push each moulding piece into place with your hands. Pieces damaged during removal should be replaced.
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