Fix a Broken Windowpane

Fixing a broken window pane is a relatively easy task but one which requires being careful. Begin by using a hammer to break the glass remaining in the slot for the window. Always wear thick gloves to do this. It is also a good idea to wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from any flying glass pieces. If there are any remaining pieces, you can remove them by pulling them out with your gloved hands. Clean the floor or ground of any remaining shards of glass.

Now use a chisel to remove the old grout that was holding in the pane of glass. In the event that the old putty is resistant, pour on linseed oil to soften it and it should come out. If it was being held in by wood framing, then carefully remove it using a screw driver or pry bar. You will be using this again, so make sure to preserve the framing intact. If there was metal framing, then you need to remove all of the spring clips that were holding the glass in place. Next measure the window frame and take the measurements down to your glass retailer and either have them cut a pane to the measurements or you can buy a sheet of glass and cut the pane yourself. In the latter case, measure the glass to conform to your dimensions and then mark the outline of the window pane. Cut deep grooves into the glass along the outline with a scouring tool. Then, you can break off the new window pane.

Press the new window pane into place and then caulk all around it to hold it in the frame. Smooth and bevel the caulk so that it makes a good seal. Allow it to thoroughly dry. Now using small nails, hammer the wood framing back into place and use a window cleaning solution to clean the glass so it is free of caulk and any wood particles.