If the glass in your windows rattle when you open and close them, it is a sure sign that your windows are leaking. Take a close look at the outside of your windows, you shouldn't be surprised to see cracked and even missing glazing putty. If you have single pane windows this means that it is past time to replace some, if not all of the glazing putty in your windows. Weatherizing is one of the most cost effective ways to save energy and money on your utility bills.
The tools that you will need are: putty knife, razor blade scraper, utility knife, caulk gun, a long nail or screw, and glazing putty. You may also need paint stripper, a heat gun, sand paper, paint brush, primer and paint. 
Good preparation is essential for quality results. Take your time and remove all loose and crumbling glazing putty. Slip your utility knife into small cracks and pry out the cracked putty. Scrape the glass clean of dirt, paint, and any left over glazing putty with a razor blade scraper. Use a shop vac around the entire pane of glass to remove any remaining dust, dirt and loose bits of putty wedged between the glass and the window sash.
Since the glazing putty in these windows is in bad s hape, it's likely that the paint is too. Continue by scraping off any loose or peeling paint. If the paint has severe cracking or alligatoring, you may want to strip the paint off. Be careful if you use a heat gun not to heat up the glass as it will crack. Tape a framer's square or other piece of metal along the sash before you start stripping.
Next, make sure that all glass is secure. The new type of glazing points available today are much easier to install than the old fashioned kind. Press the glass back into the sash, place the back of a glazing point up to the glass and push it into the sash with a putty knife. Add as many glazing points as necessary in order to keep the glass from moving.
Load the glazing putty into your caulk gun and puncture the seal with a long screw or nail several times. Glazing putty comes in tubes with angled tips that will help to deliver a bead that is the correct size and shape. Apply a steady bead of glazing where it has been removed. It may be a little messy, but after a little practice it should start to look better. Keep the tip of the tube clean for a smoother finish. However, if it doesn't get any better you can always clean it up a bit after it has set up a little.
After the glazing putty has had time to completely set up you will need to take your putty knife and razor blade scraper and remove any excess that has gotten on to the glass, sash and muntins.
Glazing putty may be left unpainted, but since you probably need to paint your windows anyway, you might as well paint the putty too. Lightly sand the wood, prime and then paint your windows. Now your windows will perform great and look even better.
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