As we know, windows break all the time. Whether it's the kids playing baseball, a party gone wild, or simply a strong wind in the night, it seems that there's always at least one piece of glass around the house that needs repair. If it's a newer, double-paned insulated type, it may be best to have a professional replace it. If it's an older, wooden framed one, though, there's an excellent chance that you can replace it yourself.Working with large pieces of glass can be dangerous. Consider letting a professional do the job, or at the least secure an assistant to help you handle the glass. Don't work with large pieces of glass on a windy day. Traditional glazier points are tough to work with. There is a newer kind available with "ears" that make for easier handling. Ask your glass supplier about them. By the way, the "rabbet" is the notch in the window sash that the glass fits into. Finally, remember that the new piece of glass should sit in the frame with about 1/16" to spare all around (in other words, if the opening measures 6"X8", the glass should be 5 7/8" X 7 7/8"). This will give the frame room to expand in hot weather. If you are having the glass cut by someone else, clean out the old glass and putty first, and then take the measurement. Step one removing the old glass.Always wear heavy gloves when handling glass. If the new piece of glass is large, use sections of slit hose to hold the edges of the glass. Keep a paper bag handy to place the old glass into. If there are no large holes in the broken glass, use the duct tape to cover all the cracks and hold the glass together. If there are very large pieces of glass missing, don't cover them with tape. Rather, work them out as you remove each section of putty and points (working from top to bottom!). Starting from the top and working down, remove the old putty from the outside of the window with the hammer and chisel Remove the old points by pulling them out with the pincers or p...
