How to Change the Glass in a Wood Frame Window

Replace smoky or cloudy window glass.

Over time, window glass can become cloudy and will not come clean. You can replace the glass in a wood frame window and renew the look of your window. When replacing the glass, take a good measurement of the glass size. Remove the existing glass and either measure the glass or the frame the glass goes into. Preparation of the bare wood is necessary to ensure a long-lasting replacement.

Things You'll Need

• Heat gun
• Putty knife
• Small wood chisel
• Flat-head screwdriver
• Fine-grit sandpaper
• Linseed oil
• Rag
• Tape measure
• Replacement glass
• Silicone caulk
• Caulking gun
• Glazing points
• Glazing compound
• Hammer

Instructions

1. Heat the old glazing compound on the outside of the window with a heat gun. This will soften the glazing compound and make the compound more pliable. If you do not have a heat gun, a hair dryer set on high will accomplish the task.

2. Remove the old glazing compound from the window and window frame with a putty knife. Insert the putty knife blade between the glass and glazing compound to loosen the compound from the glass. Use the putty knife or a small wood chisel to separate the compound from the wood frame.

3. Pry out the diamond-shaped glazing points that secure the glass to the window frame with a flat-head screwdriver. Carefully pull the window glass out of the wood frame. The glass sits in grooves inside the frame.

4. Remove the old silicone caulk or putty from the inside edge of the grooves with a putty knife. Sand the inside of the frame smooth with fine-grit sandpaper and apply a thin coat of linseed oil to the wood with a rag. The linseed oil will prevent the wood from drying out the new glazing compound.

5. Measure the old glass if the glass is still intact. If the glass is broken, measure the width and height of the window frame opening with a tape measure. Go to the hardware store or glass dealer to have a glass cut to size for your window. Purchase glazing points, silicone caulk and glazing compound when purchasing the glass.

6. Apply a thin 1/8-inch bead of silicone caulk to the edge of the window frame where the glass will sit with a caulking gun. Place the glass inside the window frame and press the edges down so that the glass is flush against the inside edge of the frame.

7. Place the glazing points flat on the glass with the points pointing to the wood frame at each corner. Tap the point into the wood frame with a hammer. Place glazing points toward the center of all four sides and tap them in with the hammer.

8. Apply the glazing compound over the window and the window frame liberally. Do not leave any gaps and ensure that you cover the glazing points. Wet your fingertips with water and smooth the glazing compound until you have a uniform bead around the circumference of the window.

References

• Home Depot: Replacing Window Glass
• Black & Decker: How to Replace Window Glass
• True Value: Repair a Broken Window