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The hardest part of the job of replacing a broken window is cutting a new piece of glass to fit into the window frame and you don't even have to do that. You can go to a glass shop, or auto glass shop and get a piece of glass cut to the specifications you have measured and get it very inexpensive also.
First, take out the broken glass. Wear heavy work gloves so you don't get your hands cut handling the broken glass. Get a grip on the broken section and gently rock it back and forth until it comes out. Repeat for other broken sections. If the glass isn't broken enough to get a grip on it, gently tap it with a hammer until you can grip. Wear protective glasses on your eyes.
With the glass out, scrape away all the old putty from the window frame. Do a good job, going down to clean, bare wood or metal. When the scraping is complete, brush out, or use a rag to wipe out all putty crumbs. As you remove the putty, you'll notice little triangular pieces of metal sticking into the frame.
These are called glazier's points, and their job is to hold the glass in place- it's not the putty that does this. Remove them with a pair of pliers or a screwdriver. Note the places they were removed from. You can mark them with a pencil or crayon.
When the frame is clean, apply a coat of exterior paint to it if your frame is wood. The wood is likely to be dry and will suck in the paint rather than the juices of the new glazing compound you'll use.
Measure for the glass from edge to edge inside the frame, both horizontally and vertically. When you have the dimensions, subtract an eight of an inch from each. For example, if your vertical measurement is 12 inches, subtract the eighth and you will get ll-7/8 inches. Order the glass in this size. The smaller glass gives you more space and allows the framework to expand and contract due to weather. To be sure you're measuring accurately, it's a good idea to do it three times at different points of the window.
If you're replacing glass in a little (multi-paned) window, order single-strength glass. For a large (single pane) window, order double-strength.
You'll also need to purchase a small can of glazing compound, which is like putty. Glazing is more expensive but it's easier to work with and is more flexible and doesn't dry out like putty.
First, mix the compound in the can with a narrow putty knife, then scoop out a little on the end of your knife and apply a thin carboard thin layer of it all around the window frame where the glass will rest. Next place the glass all the way inside the frame, then push the glazier's points into the frame near their original holes. Each point should go in about halfway. For pushing you can use the end of a chisel, a screwdriver, a putty knife, or a quarter. The best points to get are those with little raised sections that allow them to be pushed in easily.
Now apply the glazing compound to the window where it meets the frame, do this by scoopoing out small globs of it. You will press these along on the frame in the approximate finish shape you want it to have; check the putty on other windows to determine this. When one frame side is done, smoothe the compound out into final shape by drawing the putty knife along it. Then proceed to do the other sides of the window, one by one, as I just described, then let the compound dry for half a day, then paint it and the rest of the sides of the window.
I would like to mention if your glass breaks when the glass store is not open, take a piece of cardboard and temporarily repair the window.
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