Replacing French Door Glass
Replacing a broken piece of glass in a French door is a relatively simple DIY project. It involves cleaning the glass pane and removing molding or trim, and putting in the new window pane.
French doors feature multiple glass panes, separated by muntin bars for functional purposes which are also referred to as mullions. They are available in a variety of styles and can include triple-pane glass in order to boost energy efficiency, decrease noise and reduce the glare.
How do you replace a damaged pane of glass
Wear rubber gloves and safety goggles prior to replacing the glass. This will shield you from any broken glass fragments that could fall during the process. Work in an open space like a garage, and keep kids away. It's best to remove the window frame from the sill for better access and maneuverability, but you can also replace a window without taking the entire window out of the frame.
Start by scraping off any old glazing compound or caulking around the edge of the sash using a putty knife. You don't want to damage the wood molding holding the window in place. You will need it to hold the new window.
If you're working with a steel casement window it could be anchored by the metal glazing points. These points, along with the old putty will require removal before you can take the pane from the frame. A paint scraper or Chisel can be used, but if you find that the putty is difficult to remove, gradually soften it with a heat gun. The heat gun should be held about 1 inch away from the glass and move it back and forth to distribute the heat. Place two sheets of aluminum foil on the adjacent panes to keep them from cracking because of the heat.
Once the old glass has been removed, clean the inside of the window sash using a damp cloth to clean off any dirt or dust. Now you can install a new glass pane.
Take measurements of the width and height to determine the size of the glass. Take these measurements and subtract 1/8 inch from all sides to get a new glass that will fit easily into the door frame. Many hardware stores will cut a piece of glass for you, if you give them the measurement.
Warm up a few tablespoons of putty and then roll it into a 3/4-inch rope. Position the putty against one edge of the exposed rabbet, and rest the blade of your putty knife at a 45-degree angle with the frame's rabbet. The knife should be pulled across the edge of the glass in a straight, smooth line to cut a piece of the pane. Repeat the procedure with the other edges of the pane. Then, scrape off the excess putty.
Take off the broken Pane
A damaged pane of glass in a French-styled door is not just an eye sore, but it can also pose a security risk. Replacing glass in a French door can be done in a couple of steps and is typically cheaper than replacing the entire door panel. Most homeowners can do the job themselves, but professional assistance is available in the event that the project requires specialized skills or tools.
Begin by removing the broken pane of glass, then cleaning up any cracked or shattered fragments from the frame. Wear safety goggles and gloves to stop glass shards from getting into your eyes or onto your face. Then, clean out the glass's opening to remove any caulking or putty you used to hold the previous pane in place.
The next step is to remove any trim or molding holding the glass in place. This can be tricky since it could require some prying to break the molding loose. Wearing protective gear and having someone assist you in the process of prying is an excellent idea. It is also recommended to identify the pieces you're taking off, so you know when to put them back at the appropriate time.
The installation of the new glass is simple after the molding is removed. Find the measurements of the glass pane opening, and then go to an online glass shop to purchase a piece of glass that is new for your French door. It is recommended to purchase security glass for your French door, since it will not shatter easily if it breaks again.
Once you're ready to set up the new piece of glass ensure that it's placed correctly in the opening. Then, apply a fine bead of clear silicone caulk over the glass's edge.
You can replace the molding after the caulk dries. If the nails that were used originally did not penetrate the molding, you can put in new wire nails to fill the holes left behind by the previous ones. To prevent the nails from breaking the molding, you should drill the holes prior to drilling them. You can drill holes with very thin bits from the hardware store that is well-stocked.
Cut a New Pane of Glass
Before ordering a new pane of glass, make sure the frame's spacing and the edges of the window are equal. It is possible to adjust spring clips or metal triangulars that keep it in place if you notice gaps. It is also important to ensure that the new pane is adequate size for your opening; if it's too large, you could face leakage or other issues when it's put in.
The first step is to make an area for work. Utilizing a putty blade, scrape away the old compound on both sides of the frame, leaving bare wood. If the rabbets of the frame are too rough to smooth out using a putty knife then lightly sand the edges and apply an exterior primer. This will prevent the new glaze from absorbing moisture from the wood, shortening its lifespan.
Once the frame has been cleaned and prepared, you can knead a handfull of putty until it becomes soft and malleable. Apply a thin layer of it using the putty blade to the inside of the corner rabbets in order to create a narrow bed on which the glass can rest. Repeat the process for the other exposed edges.
Remove any remaining metal points from the grooves of the sash when the putty has dried. Wear safety goggles before attempting to remove the points to keep yourself safe from shards glass. Heating guns with low settings can be used to gently heat the metal, allowing it to loosen so that you can remove it using pliers.
Place the glass in place to test fit. Adjust the glass as needed before securing it using spring clips or triangulars made of metal. Make sure that the gap between the frame and glass is uniform and even on all sides, and test the movement of the sash to ensure that the new glass won't interfere with opening or closing the window. If you encounter any issues regarding the installation, consult an expert who specializes in restoration to help you restore and maintain your historic home.
Install the Pane of Glass
Before you install the new glass pane You should fit it by testing to ensure it fits snugly. Take measurements of the width and height of the window opening by measuring it to the outside edge of the L channels. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to find the size of the glass you need to purchase. By slightly undersizing the glass, you will make it easier to install and provide room for seasonal expansion and contraction of the wood frame. Bring your measurements to a hardware store or home center, and let them cut a piece of glass for you. replace french door can also cut the glass yourself if happen to have a huge sheet of stock glass.
After the old pane glass has been removed, you must clean out the window sash grooves and remove any glazing points made of steel that held the previous pane in place. This can be done using a scraper that is a type of pull, or a Chisel. If the grooves are filled of hardened putty, slowly soften it using a heat gun. Cover the windows and moldings around them with aluminum foil in order to protect them from heat.
Scrape and sand the rabbets in which the glass is, and then brush an exterior primer over them to prevent the putty from absorbing its natural oils and thus reducing its life. You should also wipe down the sash to remove any dirt and dust from the grooves.
Knead a tiny amount of putty until it is warm and flexible and then press it into the rabbets, where the glass will go. At this stage, neatness is not important. Make sure to press the new pane into the rabbets and then move it using your fingers.
Fill any holes in the frame with silicone caulk. Then install the new glass. If the frame has other fastening mechanisms, like L channels, you can use an hammer and pull them out of the sash grooves. Take out any shards of wood that might have escaped in the removal of the frame. Finally, put a coat of clear silicone caulk on the bottom of the frame where it meets the floor to keep pests and water out of the home.