Process to Replacing a Home Window

Windows get broken all the time. Sometimes it's because they simply get cracked with a ball, others times it can be due to mother nature, and for those of us with rotten luck we might not even know how it got cracked at all! It's great to have an experienced professional come and replace the window for you as they're often much more experienced than you would be at the process and it saves you a bit of time and energy doing it yourself. That doesn't mean you should just slack off and allow yourself to remain ignorant though. Read on to learn just how does home window glass replacement work.

The first step to home window glass replacement work is to make sure all the previous glass is properly removed. This is a fairly simple task but it should still be done with caution as it's easy to cut yourself if you're not paying careful attention. First the putty at the bases of the window need to be removed. You can do this fairly well with a putty knife or jackknife. After every single trace of putty is removed, while wearing protective gloves, remove the frame of the window and place it on a level surface. Remove all broken glass by just plucking each broken piece out one at a time.

The second step to home window glass replacement is to double check and make sure there really isn't any putty left once all the glass is removed. Sometimes the putty can be really difficult to work with and it makes it easier if you use something such as a blow dryer to heat it up before working on it. As you move around the frame you'll find what are called Glazier's points. These are small metal triangles that are put into the frame beneath the putty to help hold the glass in place. You'll have to remove these as well. Once this is done inspect the frame and check to make sure it's completely smooth and even.

If the frame is an older frame then it needs to have a coating of linseed applied generously to all sections of the wood around the frame in order to maximize the life span of the putty that's going to be put on it in order to hold the new window pane in place.

The next step is the application of a new layer of putty to the frame. This step is probably one of the most important when it comes to home window glass replacement. A very thin layer should be used around the frame where the glass will be set into. The layer shouldn't be too thick and it takes some experience to get it just right otherwise the putty will swell up when the new window pane is inserted and cause it to push up into visibility.

The new window pane that's being inserted should be just slightly smaller than the area it's going to fill, less than an inch when it comes to home window glass replacement. Use a glass cutter if your window pane isn't already to size, it's imperative that it fit well.

Next place the pane into position or have a second person place the pane into position while the other person inserts the Glazier's points on each side of the panel to firmly secure it. The points should be placed every four inches on each side. This step requires a second person unless your very comfortable with home window glass replacement.

A Glazier's tool should be utilized to accurately drive the Glazier's points into the wood. The tool needs to be slid along the glass in order to carefully avoid causing any cracks.

In order to finalize the home window glass replacement the putty that is to be used to hold the pane in place should be kneaded down into long strips about the diameter of a pencil. The putty should be free of lumps and be completely pliable, if it's not yet then it needs to be worked on a bit. Apply the putty is into one corner of the window frame and lay the strip completely around the panel of glass. Once the putty is placed around the panel smooth it over with a putty knife in order to make the outline as smooth a job as possible in order to prevent any corrosion. Then, there you go; you're done.