Homeowners normally need replacement window panes the minute theirs become cracked or shattered by outside forces. It shouldn’t be left like that for long because a damaged window is usually a dangerous window. Fortunately, it’s not that hard to install new window panes over damaged ones. The only thing to remember is safety since glass can cut through the skin. That being said, following are some tips when it comes to DIY replacement window panes.

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Be Prepared There are lots of tools necessary when replacing damaged window panes. This may vary depending on the person’s window type, but usually the task involves the use of hammer, protective gloves, masking tape, pliers, screwdriver, putty knife and of course, the replacement panels. Make sure to have these things on hand before attempting installation.

Be Accurate Measure the size of the replacement panes to ensure that they will fit perfectly with the window. Don’t be afraid to double or triple check to ensure that the numbers are correct. Sellers of window panes should also be able to provide additional measurement details in case the buyer is unsure of their numbers.

Assess and Clean Up the Damage With the help of long nose pliers, start removing all the glass items still attached to the window. If there’s just a discernible crack on the surface then use a hammer to completely break the window. Use some sort of covering so that the parts would scatter all over the place. A protective eye wear would also be important at this stage. Once the glasses are completely removed, get them out of the working area to prevent accidents.

Remove Glazing Start scraping off the glazing that’s sticking to the area where the panel would be installed. This part should be clear so that the glass would lock in place. Also take note of any glazier points are removed by using pliers. These are usually triangular in shape and are the ones that hold the glass in its place.

Installation Now that the obstacles are out of the way, it’s time to proceed with replacement window panes installation. Start rubbing putty into the outside part of the pane before slowly and carefully pushing the glass inside. Make sure that the corners are pushed inside the frames before affixing the glaziers. The rule of thumb is that there should be at least eight inches of glazier between each other. For the corners however, there should be 2 inches of space between glazier points. The glazing compound is then rubbed in to fill spaces in between.

It might sound incredibly difficult at first but when confronted with the actual project, replacement window panes are easy. Just make sure to follow the instructions step by step in order to perfect the result. Better yet, be very attentive when removing the panes because essentially, installation is just the removal in reverse. If still unsure, try asking for the help of a friend who have done this sort of DIY home improvement before.

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