15 Shocking Facts About Replacing French Door Glass The Words You've Never Learned

Replacing French Door Glass

It is fairly simple to replace a damaged glass pane in a french door repair glass door. Cleaning the glass trimming and molding, then removing the trim and then putting in a new pane is all that's required.

french door handle replacement doors have multiple glass panes that are separated by muntin bars for functional purposes which are also referred to as Mullions. They are available in a wide variety of designs, and can be triple-paned to reduce noise and control glare.

How to replace bay window with french doors a broken glass pane

Before beginning you begin, put on rubber gloves and safety glasses to shield yourself from any broken pieces of glass that could fall off during the replacement process. Also work in a garage or other open space and keep children away from the area. For easier access, it's best to remove the window frame from its ledge. However you can still replace one pane of glass without having to remove the entire frame.

With a putty-blade, scrape off any caulking or glazing material around the edge of the window sash. Be careful not to scratch the wood molding that holds the window in place, because you'll require it later to hold the new window.

If you are working with a steel casement windows it could be anchored by metal glazing points. You'll need to remove these, as well as the old putty before you can get the window out of the frame. A paint scraper or tool like a chisel will work however if you discover that the putty is difficult to remove, gradually soften it with a heating gun. Hold the heat gun an inch away from the glass, and move it forward and backwards to spread the warmth. Double-up the aluminum foil and place it on the adjacent panes. This will prevent them from breaking due to heat.

After removing the old glass, apply a damp cloth to wipe the inside of the window sash to remove any dust or dirt. Now you can install a new pane of glass.

Take measurements of the width and height to determine the dimensions of the glass. Note these measurements and subtract 1/8 inch from each side to order a new pane that will fit easily into the door frame. Many hardware stores will cut a piece of glass for you if you supply the measurement.

Warm up a few tablespoons of putty, then roll it into a 3/4-inch rope. Place the putty on one edge of the exposed rabbet, and then rest the blade of your putty knife at a 45-degree angle to the frame's rabbet. Pull the knife across the edge of the glass in a straight, smooth line to cut a section of the pane. Repeat the process for the other edges of the pane. Then, scrape away the excess putty.

Take the broken Pane

A broken pane in a French-style door not just an eye sore however, it could also pose a security risk. Replacing a pane of glass in a French door can be done in a few easy steps, and is generally less costly than replacing french doors with windows the entire door panel. The majority of homeowners can perform this task on their own, but professional assistance is available to those who require specific tools or know-how.

Begin by taking out any cracked or broken fragments of the frame. Wear safety goggles and gloves to keep glass shards from getting into your eyes or onto your face. Then, clean the glass pane's opening to get rid of any remaining putty or caulking that was used to hold the old pane in place.

The next step is to take off any trim or molding holding the glass in place. This isn't easy, as it will likely require some effort to pry the molding loose. Wearing protective equipment and having a person help you with the prying is an ideal idea. It is also an excellent idea to identify the pieces you're taking off, so you can put them back in place at the appropriate time.

Once the molding is removed after which you can start installing the new pane of glass. Find the measurements of the opening for the glass pane and then visit an establishment that sells glass to purchase a piece of new glass for your French door. It's a good idea to get a piece of safety glass, since it won't shatter as easily if your french door glass replacement doors break again.

When you are ready to put your glass piece into the opening, be sure that it is aligned properly. Then, you can apply a thin dot of clear silicone caulk around the edge of the glass.

You can change the molding after the caulk is dry. If the original nails did not pull through the molding, you can put new wire nails into the holes left by the old nails. To prevent the nails from cutting the molding, you must drill the holes prior to drilling them. A well-stocked hardware store has very thin bits that can be used to drill the holes.

How to cut a new Pane Of Glass

Check the spacing around the frame of the window and around the edges before you order a replacement glass for french doors Cost pane. You may have to adjust spring clips or the metal triangulars that hold it in place if there are gaps. It is also important to ensure that the new pane is a suitable size for your opening. If it's too large, you could experience leakage or other issues when it's put in.

The first step is to prepare an area for work. Using a putty knife, scrape away the old compound on both sides of the frame. This will expose the wood. If the frames' rabbets are too rough to smooth out using a knife then lightly sand the edges and apply an exterior primer. This will stop the new glaze from absorbing moisture from wood, thereby reducing its lifespan.

Once the frame has been cleaned and prepared, you can knead some putty until it becomes soft and malleable. Apply a thin layer using the blade of putty to the inside of the corner rabbets in order to create a bed against which the glass can rest. Repeat the process for the other exposed edges.

Once the putty has dried take any remaining metal glazing points from the grooves in the sash. Wear safety glasses prior to attempting to remove the points in order to keep yourself safe from shards glass. A heat gun set to a low setting can help you gently warm and loosen the metal so you can bend it away from the frame using pliers.

Slide the glass into place to check the fit. Adjust the glass as required before securing it using spring clips or metal triangulars. Make sure the gap between the frame and the glass is consistent across all sides. Check the movement of the window sash, and ensure the new pane will not hinder the opening or closing. If you find any problems regarding the installation, consult an expert who specializes in restoration, who can help you repair and preserve your historic home.

Install the Pane of Glass

Test-fit the new glass pane to ensure it fits snugly before installing it. Measure the width and height of the window opening, taking measurements to the outside edges of the L-channels. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to find the size of glass you need to buy. A little undersizing of the pane will make it easier to install and provide room 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, in the event that you have a large sheet on hand.

After the old pane of glass is removed, clean the window sash grooves and take off any glazing points made of metal that held the previous pane in place. This can be done with a scraper that is a type of pull, or a chisel. If the grooves have lots of putty that has been hardened it is possible to gradually soften it with a heat gun. Be sure to cover the surrounding windows and moldings with aluminum foil to protect them from the heat.

It is also possible to use an exterior primer to prevent the putty from absorbing its natural oils. You should also wipe down the sash to get rid of any dirt and dust from the grooves.

Knead a small amount putty until it is warm and flexible and then press it into the rabbets in which the glass will go. It's not important to be neat at this point. Place the new pane into the rabbets and then wiggle it by using your fingers.

Fill any holes in the frame with silicone caulk. Then, you can install the new glass. If the frame has any other fastening mechanisms, such as L-channels, use a hammer to pry them out of the sash grooves. Get rid of any shards that might have escaped during the removal of the frame. To keep pests and water from entering the house, apply a clear silicone caulk to the bottom edge of frame where it meets the floor.