Choosing Efficiency First

Whether your window was broken accidentally or on purpose, your top priority should be to get it repaired. Broken windows drastically undermine your home's insulation while also posing a constant hazard of broken glass. Here are some basic steps you should follow when removing and then replacing your window:

Out With the Old

The first step is to get rid of the broken window and frame. The manner in which you do this will actually depend on whether the window totally shattered or was just cracked.

If it was shattered, then your job is relatively easy. Pick the fragments out of the frame one by one, remembering to wear protective gear at all times. Once you have safely disposed of all the fragments, you will need to remove the putty from the edges of the frame.

If the glass was only cracked, then you will need to carefully remove the entire window in one piece, being careful not to shatter it. To do so, you will need to first remove the putty from the edges of the frame, which is what holds the glass in place.

Under the putty, you will need to find small metal triangles known as glazier's points. You might need some tools to get them loose, but you should remove them.

Preparing the Frame

Once the old glass and putty is gone, you will need to apply a new layer of putty. Using the old putty can compromise the integrity of the frame, which could lead to a faulty seal. Apply putty around the perimeter of the frame so that it forms a thin layer.

Once that is in place, you will want to put in the glass. Be careful, because you can't actually buy a piece of glass that is larger than the frame. It must be slightly smaller so that it can expand during temperature fluctuations.

In With the New

With extreme care, place the pane inside the frame. Using a glazing tool, glazier's points (the things you removed earlier) need to be installed to stabilize the pane in place. Space the points several inches apart in order to ensure maximum safety.

At this point, you are almost done. Now all that remains is to tidy up the frame by evening out the putty. Extra putty should be removed from the frame to improve aesthetics. In some cases, you might need sandpaper to get the job done. If you'd rather have a professional handle this project for you, visit Cheaper Window Glass.