Replacing French Door Glass
Replacing a broken pane of glass in a French door is a relatively simple DIY project. Cleaning the glass by removing the molding and trim and then installing the new pane is all that's needed.
French doors feature multiple glass panes that are separated by muntin bars. They are also known as mullions. They come in a wide variety of styles and can be triple-paned to reduce the sound and control glare.
How to Replace a Broken Pane of Glass
Before starting you begin, put on gloves made of rubber 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 another open space and keep children out from the area. For better access, it's best to remove the window frame from its sill. However, you can still replace a single pane without removing the entire frame.
With a putty-blade scrape away any caulking or glazing material around the edge of the window sash. You don't want to harm the wood molding holding the window in place. You'll need it to hold the new window.
If you're working with a steel-casement windows The window may be secured with metal glazing points. These points, along with the old putty, will need to be removed before you can remove the window from the frame. A paint scraper or chisel should work, but if you find that the putty's too hard to remove, gradually soften it using a heat gun. Hold the heat gun an inch from the glass and move it forward and backwards to spread the warmth. Double-up the aluminum foil, then place it on the adjacent panes. This will stop them from breaking due to the heat.
After the old glass has been removed, clean the inside of the window sash with a damp cloth to clean off any dirt or dust. It is now time to put in a new piece of glass.
Take measurements of the width and height to determine the size of the glass. To order a new glass pane that is sized to fit inside 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 supply the measurement.
Putty that is warm in your hands and roll it into a rope that is 3/4 inch thick. Place the putty on one edge of the exposed rabbet, and rest your putty knife's blade at a 45-degree angle to the frame's rabbet. Pull the knife along the glass's edge 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.
Remove the Broken Pane
A broken pane in a French-style door not just an eye sore however, it could also pose a risk to safety. It's easy to replace a pane in the French style of door and is typically less expensive than replacing the whole door panel. The majority of homeowners can complete this task themselves, though professional assistance is available if the project requires specialized skills or tools.
Begin by removing the broken piece of glass and clean any cracked or shattered fragments from the frame. It is important to wear gloves and goggles to avoid getting shards glass in your eyes or face. Then, clean the glass pane's opening to get rid of any remaining caulking or putty that was used to hold the old pane in place.
Next, you need remove any molding or trim that held the pane of glass in place. This isn't easy since it could require some prying to get the molding off. This is why it's best to wear your protective gear and ask someone to assist you with the prying if necessary. Label the items you're removing so that you can put them back in their original positions.
Once the molding is removed after which you can start installing the new pane of glass. Take measurements of the opening for the glass pane and then visit an online glass shop to purchase a glass that is new for your French door. It's a good idea to purchase a piece of security glass since it will not break as easily in the event that your French doors break again.
When you are ready to place the glass into the opening, be sure it is aligned correctly. Then, apply a thin dot of clear silicone caulk over the edge of the glass.
After the caulk is dry after drying, you can put in a new molding. If the original nails didn't penetrate the molding, you can hammer in new wire nails to fill in the holes left behind by the old nails. To prevent the nails from cutting the molding, you must drill the holes prior to drilling them. You can drill holes using very thin bits from hardware stores that are well-stocked.
Cut a New Pane of Glass
Before you purchase a new pane of glass, ensure that the spacing around the frame and the edges of the window are even. You may have to adjust spring clips or the metal triangulars to hold it in place if you find 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 problems when it is installed.
The first step is to prepare a work surface. Scrape the old compound off both sides of the frame using a putty knife to expose the wood. If the rabbets on the frame are too rough to smooth out using a knife then lightly sand the edges and apply an exterior primer. This will stop the new glazing from drawing moisture from the wood, thereby reducing its lifespan.
After the frame is clean and ready to be used and ready to be used, warm a few tablespoons of putty by kneading it until soft and malleable. Use the putty knife to apply a thin layer to the inside corners of the rabbets, creating an elongated bed for the glass to rest upon. Repeat the process for the other exposed edges.
When the putty is dry, remove any remaining metal glazing points from the grooves in the sash. Before you attempt to remove them, wear goggles with safety features to protect yourself from glass fragments. A heat gun on an low setting can help you to warm up and loosen the steel so that you can stretch it away from the frame using pliers.
Place the glass in place to test fit. Make any adjustments needed before fixing it with the spring clips or metal triangles. Make sure that the gap between the frame and glass is uniform on all sides. Check the movement of the window sash, and make sure the new pane does not hinder the opening or closing. Contact a restoration expert should you encounter any issues during the installation. They can help you repair and maintain your historic home.
Install the Pane of Glass
Test-fit the new glass pane to ensure that it fits properly before installing it. Take measurements of the width and height of the window opening, taking measurements to the edges outside of the L-channels. Subtract 1/8 of an inch from each measurement in order to determine the glass size you need. It will be much easier to install the pane by reducing it slightly. This will also allow for seasonal expansion and contracting of the wood frame. Bring your measurements to a hardware store or home center, and let them cut a piece glass for you. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself if you happen to have a large sheet of stock glass handy.
After removing the old glass pane clean the window sash grooves. Remove Repair My Windows And Doors glazing points that held the previous pane. A paint scraper that is a pull type or a chisel is ideal to accomplish this task. If the grooves are full of hardened putty, gradually soften it with a heat gun. Be careful to cover surrounding windows and moldings with aluminum foil to protect them from the heat.
It is also possible to use an exterior primer to keep the putty from absorbing the natural oils. You should also clean the sash to remove any dirt and dust from the grooves.
Knead a small amount of putty until it is warm and flexible and then press it into the rabbets, where the glass will go. It's not important to be neat at this stage. Place the new pane in the rabbets, then move it around and apply consistent pressure with your fingers to make sure that it's placed in the right place.
Fill any holes around the glass in the frame with silicone caulk. Then, install the new glass. If the frame has other fastening mechanisms, such as L-channels, use a hammer to pry them out from the sash grooves. Inspect the frame for glass fragments that may have shattered during removal, and then remove them prior to continuing. Finally, put a coat of clear silicone caulk on the bottom of the frame, where it joins the floor to keep pests and water out of your home.