First, you will need to get all of the necessary tools together. You will need:

• Heavy Gloves-You will need these when removing the broken window and the glass that may be embedded in the grooves
• Light Hammer-This will be used to tap the new glaze into the grooves around the new window
• Screwdriver or Chisel-Use to extract old putty that might be embedded in the grooves
• Sturdy Tweezers-These may be necessary to remove any leftover hard-to-reach glass chards
• Soldering Iron-This will be used to soften old putty for easier removal
• Sandpaper-Used to smooth the grooves after removing the old putty and glass
• Exterior Paint-You will need this to touch-up any cracked paint and to use as a base after removing the old putty and broken window
• Glazing Compound-This will be brushed into the grooves before replacing the new pane
• Putty Knife-This can be used to embed and smooth the glazing compound around the window frame

It should be noted that you can cut the glass yourself. When doing so, you will need additional tools to include a workspace, a sturdy piece of plywood, a Ralter square, a hardware strip, and a glass cutter. However, most home improvement stores offer free glass cutting if you purchase the glass at their store. If you choose to do this, you will need the exact dimensions of the glass. A general rule of thumb is to measure the inside of the window frame and order the glass to be cut 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch smaller than the interior window dimensions.

The first step is removing the broken glass from the frame while wearing heavy gloves. You will need to remove any old putty at this point. If the putty is difficult to remove soften it using the soldering iron. You should be able to pry the remaining putty out of the grooves with a screwdriver or chisel. Be careful not to damage the grooves.

After the glass and putty are removed clean the window frame and coat with thinned exterior paint. After the paint is completely dry, apply a layer of glazing compound onto the grooves on all sides to help reinforce the window. Carefully place the window into the frame.

Now take the screwdriver or chisel and gently push the glaze halfway down into the groove every few inches of the frame. Take some fresh glazing compound and mold into a string about ½ inch wide, and press onto the interior all away around the window. Before the glaze dries, take the putty knife and press the glaze down around the edge. This should make a nice visual finish. Wait for at least a week then paint the window and the glaze, being careful not to paint the window shut, for further re-enforcement.

Replacing a window is not very difficult or time consuming and doing so will help lower electric bills. Now might be a good time to consider weather stripping while you are at it.

Wade, a very handy man in his own right, did not have the time to handle the project, so they turned to a contractor for this major home improvement. It was a time-sensitive matter, so they carefully took the following advice and precautions to make the renovation go as smoothly as possible.

• Know exactly what you want renovated before tackling a home improvement project. Consider the interior and exterior of your home. Do you want the add-on to look like the rest of the house? If you have a brick home, will you want to use vinyl siding or wood on the exterior? If adding a room, do you want to add windows? If so, how many? Will you be adding a bathroom?
• Consider hiring an architect. If there will be major structural changes to your home, as in the case of Ruth and Wade, an architect is trained to make the addition visually flow with the rest of the home. You don’t want something that still resembles a garage.
• Do not rush. Take time to ask friends and family if they have ever used a reputable contractor in your area. Find at least two. If you know someone who made the same renovation(s), ask to see the finished product.
• Accept no less than two bids. Multiple bids would be ideal. You don’t want to be ripped-off. To help cut costs, tell each contractor that you are taking multiple bids.
• The contractor should be a member of at least one trade organization, and have property damage, personal liability, and workman’s comp insurance. He should be familiar with State and county laws pertaining to home improvement.
• Know that a general contractor should be able to do the entire job and that a subcontractor has an area of specialization.
• Once you select a contractor, you will need a contract. If you do not understand or have the time to read a contract, find an attorney.
• Ask as many questions as possible and discuss the materials that you want, the time in which you want the job completed, and the total price for the project.
• Avoid the common Bait and Switch scam in which the contractor will guarantee a job using specific materials and a certain price. Sometime after the onset of the project, the contractor will try to either upgrade the material or will tell you that the project is going to cost more than originally planned.
• Oversee the project as much as possible. Don’t get in the way, but remember that it is your property. If the project is not going as you think it should, call the contractor. One reason that this project went very smoothly for the Richardson’s is because they lived on-site and were present during the renovation.

What could have easily been a nightmare for the Richardson’s and Maxine went very smoothly because they followed these home improvement rules and are quite happy with their new living arrangements and the renovation.