Replacing French Door Glass

Replacing a broken pane of glass in a French door is a simple DIY project. Cleaning the glass by removing the molding and trim and then installing the new pane is all that's needed.

french door repairs near me doors are made of multiple glass panes, which are separated by muntin bars. They are also known as Mullions. They are available in a variety of configurations and can also include triple-pane glass to increase energy efficiency, reduce sound and reduce glare.

How to replace a damaged Pane of Glass

Before beginning the replacement french doors near me process, wear gloves made of rubber and safety glasses to shield yourself from any shards of broken glass that could fall off during the replacement process. Also, work in a garage or another open space, and keep children away from the area. It is best to remove the window frame from the sill to allow better accessibility and maneuverability however, you can replace a window without taking the entire window out of the frame.

With a putty knife use a putty blade to scrape off any old caulking or glazing compound that is around the edge of the window sash. You don't want to harm the wood molding holding the window in place. You will need it to hold the new window.

If you are working with a steel casement window it might be held in position by the metal glazing points. It is necessary to remove these as well as the old putty, before you can take the glass out of the frame. A paint scraper or chisel should work however if you discover that the putty is too difficult to pry out, gradually soften it using a heat gun. Keep the heat gun about an inch from the glass and move it backwards and forwards to spread the warmth. Put doubled sheets of aluminum foil on the other panes to keep them from cracking because of the heat.

After removing the old glass, take a damp cloth to wipe the inside of the window sash in order to remove any dirt or dust. It is now time to put in a new piece of glass.

To cut a glass piece to size first, determine the width and the height of the existing opening. To purchase a new glass pane that will fit into the door frame, take these measurements and subtract an eighth inch from each side. Many hardware stores will cut a piece glass for you, if you give them the measurement.

Warm up a handful of putty and roll it into a 3/4-inch rope. Place the putty on the edge of the exposed rabbet. Place the blade of your putty knife at a 45 degree angle against the frame rabbet. Move the knife along the edge of the glass in a smooth, straight line to cut a portion of the pane. Repeat the process for the other edges of the pane. Then, scrape off the excess putty.

Take off the broken Pane

A broken glass pane in a french door threshold replacement-style door is not only an eyesore however, it could also be a safety risk. Replacing French doors with windows glass in a french door repairs door can be done in a few simple steps and is usually much cheaper than replacing the entire door panel. Most homeowners can do this work themselves, however professional assistance is available in the event that the project requires specialized skills or tools.

Begin by taking out any cracked or broken pieces of the frame. Wear safety glasses and gloves to prevent glass shards from getting into your eyes or face. Then, clean the glass pane opening to get rid of any caulking or putty used to hold the old pane in place.

Next, you need to take off any trim or molding that held the glass in place. This can be tricky because it may require some prying to break the molding out. This is why it's best to wear your protective gear, and to have someone assist you with the prying, if needed. It is also a good idea to label the pieces you're pulling off, so you know when to put them back when you're ready.

Installing the glass is easy after the molding is removed. Visit a glass store and take measurements of the glass's opening. You should purchase the safety glass for your french doors repair door, because it will not break easily in the event of a break.

Once you're ready to set up the glass piece, make sure it's aligned correctly in the opening. Then, apply a thin bead of clear silicone caulk around the edge of the glass.

You can replace the molding once the caulk has dried. If the nails that were originally used didn't push through the molding, you can hammer new wire nails into the holes left by the old nails. Pre-drilling the holes will prevent the nails from splitting through the molding. You can drill the holes using tiny bits from a hardware store that is well stocked.

How to Cut a New Pane Of Glass

Before purchasing a new piece of glass, make sure the spacing around the frame and the edges of the window are equal. If you find any gaps, you could require adjusting the spring clips or metal triangles that hold the glass in place. You should also make sure that your new pane is the correct size for the opening. If it's too large, you may experience leaks and other issues.

The first step is to prepare an area for work. Scrape the old compound off the frame's sides using a putty blade expose the wood. If the rabbets are too rough for you to smooth with the putty knife gently sand them and then apply an exterior primer. This will stop the new glazing from absorbing moisture from wood, shortening its lifespan.

Once the frame has been cleaned and prepared, you can knead the putty until it is soft and malleable. Apply a thin layer using the putty blade to the inside corners of the rabbets to create a bed that the glass can rest. Repeat the process for the other exposed edges.

After the putty is dry take any remaining metal glazing points from the grooves in the sash. Before attempting to remove them, you should wear a pair of safety goggles to protect yourself from glass fragments. A heat gun set to a low setting can help you gently warm up and loosen the steel so that you can stretch it out of the frame with pliers.

Place the glass in place to test fit. Make any necessary adjustments prior to attaching it to the frame using spring clips or steel triangles. Make sure the gap between the frame and the glass is uniform on all sides. Test the movement of the window sash and make sure that the new glass does not hinder the closing or opening. Consult a restoration specialist if you encounter any problems during the installation. They can help you restore and protect your home's historic features.

Install the Pane of Glass

Before you install the new glass pane, you should test-fit it to ensure that it is snugly fitted. Measure the width and height of the window's opening, measuring to the edges outside of the L-channels. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to find the size of the glass you need to order. Slightly undersizing the pane will allow it to be installed more easily and will allow for seasonal expansion and contraction of the wood frame. You can bring your measurements to the hardware store or home centre and they will cut a piece for you. You can cut the glass yourself, when you have a huge sheet in your possession.

After the old pane of glass is removed, clean the window sash grooves and take off any glazing points made of metal which held the previous pane in place. This can be accomplished using an e-type paint scraper or a chisel. If the grooves are full of hardened putty, slowly soften it using a heat gun. Be careful to cover surrounding windows and moldings with aluminum foil to protect them from the heat.

You can also use an exterior primer to keep the putty from absorbing the natural oils. It is also recommended to clean the grooves in the sash.

Put a small amount of the mixture into the rabbets, where the glass will be placed. At this stage, it's not about neatness. Place the new pane in the rabbets, then move it around and apply consistent pressure using your fingers to ensure it's seated properly.

Fill any holes around the glass in the frame with silicone caulk. Then install the new glass. If the frame has other mechanisms for fastening like L-channels, you can employ a hammer for prying them out from the sash grooves. Take out any shards of wood that might have escaped when removing the frame. Finally, put a coat of clear silicone caulk over the bottom of the frame, where it joins the floor to keep pests and water out of your home.