| 1. |
Put on your leather gloves and protective goggles before you begin.
From the inside, tape newspaper or cardboard to the window frame to prevent
glass from falling inward. Now move to the outside. If you’re fixing
a window on the second floor, you’ll need a ladder. Start by removing
the larger pieces of broken glass with gloved hands. If Glazier’s
points were used, yank them out with pliers. Remove all remaining glass
with pliers or use a chisel to chip them out (you ARE wearing your goggles,
right?). Discard the shards and fragments immediately. Once all the glass
is gone, remove the newspaper. Clean and sand the wood sash and coat it
with high-quality wood sealant. Back inside, examine the floor for glass
that may have fallen past the newspaper and vacuum the area thoroughly,
using a nozzle to lift any glass fragments away from baseboards, carpet,
etc.
Tip:
If possible, place your trashcan next to you to receive glass pieces as
you remove them. If you need to transport glass, wrap it in several layers
of newspaper and, if necessary, keep it wrapped and break it with a hammer
into pieces small enough to fit into your trash receptacle. Make sure
you inform family members NOT to shove trash down on top of your discarded
glass. |
| 2. |
Have your local hardware or home improvement store cut a piece of glass
to fit the size of the opening. If you’re doing it yourself, here’s
how: measure the opening and mark your replacement glass to be 1/8 of an
inch shorter and narrower than your measurements (for example, if you window
opening measures 25" x 25", you should draw out a square measuring
24 7/8" by 24 7/8"). If the replacement piece has good edges,
measure from the top and one side to save cutting. A grease pencil or laundry
marker will make the most obvious marks. Place the glass on top of a carpet
remnant on your workstation or clean garage floor. Dip your glasscutter
wheel in kerosene and cut along your lines, using a straightedge as a guide.
Make your cuts as deep as possible. |
| 3. |
Next, slide a small dowel (a round wood broom handle is fine), between
your glass and the carpet so it is situated beneath one of your lines. Press
both sides down gently until the glass snaps along the edge. Do the same
with the other scored edge. |
| 4. |
From the outside of the window use your putty knife and your fingers to
make a ¼ inch thick tube of glazing putty and install it all the
way around the opening to make a seat for the new pane. |
| 5. |
Back inside, position the new pane in place, pushing it gently into the
putty. If excess putty oozes around the edges, remove it. Install two Glazier’s
points for every 4 inches of glass all the way around the frame, pushing
them in with a putty knife, screwdriver or trowel. |
| 6. |
Make another ¼ inch thick tube of putty and apply it all the way
around the inside edges, smoothing it as you go. Use the flat edge of your
putty knife to create a nice smooth seal line. If the putty sticks, lubricate
your knife with linseed oil and go over the area again. Once the putty is
dry (about a week), it can be primed and painted with water-resistant paint
to match the window frame. |
