Replacing a single pane glass window on your home isn’t difficult. Here’s how to go about it.

To replace a broken window pane:

• Remove the broken glass from around the window with pliers. Wear protective gloves to avoid being cut.
• Use a putty knife of paint scraper to remove the old glazing around the window opening.
• Measure the window pane opening, and have a piece of glass cut slightly smaller to fit.
• Place the new glass pane in the window opening.
• Press glazier’s points into the frame around the window using a putty knife.
• Apply window glazing (available in a can or caulking tube) around the window frame.
• Hold a putty knife at an angle to the frame, and use it to smooth the glazing compound.
• Paint over the glazing with exterior house paint after the glazing has set.

Watch this video to find out more.

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The first step to replacing a broken window pane is removing what’s left of the old glass. Wear gloves and work slowly to avoid cuts. Then, scrape out the old glazing with a putty knife and measure the opening for the new pane of glass, which should be slightly smaller than the opening so it fits in easily.

Use your putty knife again to press glazier’s points into the frame about every six inches, so they hold the glass firmly in place. Then apply glazier’s putty all around the seam where the glass meets the frame. Once more, use the putty knife to force the putty into the seam and create a smooth finished surface on the window.

Further Information

• How to Repair Broken Glass Window Panes (video)
• How to Replace Double Pane Insulated Glass (article)
• How to Replace Insulated Double-Pane Glass Windows (video)
• How to Open a Painted Shut Window (video)