Replacing French Door Glass: The History Of Replacing French Door Glass In 10 Milestones
Replacing French Door Glass
It is relatively easy to replace a damaged glass pane inside a French door. It involves cleaning the glass pane and removing molding or trim and then putting in the new window pane.
French doors have multiple glass panes, which are separated by muntin bars. They are also known as mullions. They are available in a variety of configurations and may include triple-pane glass to improve energy efficiency, cut down on sound and control glare.
How to replace a damaged Pane of Glass
Wear rubber gloves and safety goggles before you begin to replace the glass. This will shield you from any broken glass fragments that may fall during the process. Work in a space that is open such as a garage and keep children away. It is best to remove the window frame from the sill to allow better access and maneuverability, but you can also replace a window without taking the entire window out of the frame.
With a putty blade use a putty blade to scrape off any old caulking or glazing compound around the edges of the window sash. Be careful not to damage the wood molding that holds the window in place, since you'll need it in the future to support the new pane.
If you are working with a steel casement window it could be secured by the metal glazing points. It is necessary to remove these, as well as the old putty before you can get the glass out of the frame. Paint scraper or chisel can work. If the putty is difficult to get rid of, you can employ a heat gun in order to soften it. Place the heat gun one inch away from the glass and move it forwards and backwards to spread the warmth. Place two sheets of aluminum foil on the other panes to keep them from cracking because of the heat.
Once the old glass is removed, clean the inside of the window sash with a damp cloth to wash off any dirt or dust. Then you can install the new glass.
Measure 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 can cut a piece for you when they have the measurements.
Warm a handful of putty in your hands and roll it into a rope about 3/4 inch thick. Set the putty in a position that is against one side of the rabbet, and rest your putty knife's blade at a 45-degree angle to the frame's rabbet. To cut a piece of the pane, pull the knife in a straight and straight line along the glass's edge. Repeat with the other edges of the glass and then scrape away the excess putty.
Take off the broken Pane
A broken glass pane in a French-styled door is not just an eye-sore however, it could also pose a risk to safety. Replacing glass in a French door can be done in a few simple steps, and is generally less expensive than replacing the entire door panel. Most homeowners can handle the job themselves, but professional assistance is available if the task requires special 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 entering your eyes or on your face. Clean the glass opening to eliminate any caulking or putty that was used to keep the previous pane in place.
The next step is to take off the molding or trim that is holding the glass in place. This can be tricky since it could require some effort to pry the molding out. Wearing protective equipment and having someone help you in prying is an ideal idea. It's also a good idea to label the pieces you're pulling off, so you know when to put them back in place when you're ready.
Installing the glass is simple after the molding is removed. Measure the dimensions of the opening in the glass pane and then go to an online glass shop to purchase a glass that is new for your French door. You should purchase safety glass for your French door, because it won't break easily if it breaks again.
When you're ready to put in the glass piece, make sure it's aligned properly in the opening. Apply a thin layer of clear silicone caulk to the edges of the glass.
After the caulk is dry it is possible to replace the molding. If the original nails didn't penetrate the molding, you can put new wire nails into the holes left by the old nails. To prevent the nails from splitting the molding, it is recommended to first drill the holes. A well-stocked hardware store has extremely thin bits that can be used to drill the holes.
Cut a New Pane of Glass
Make sure you check the spacing between the frame of the window and around the edges prior to ordering a replacement pane. You may have to adjust spring clips or the metal triangulars to hold it in place if you notice gaps. It is also important to ensure that the new pane is a adequate size for your opening. If it's too large, you could face leakage or other issues when it's installed.
The first step is to make a work surface. Scrape the old compound off both sides of the frame using a putty knife to expose the wood. If the rabbets have become too rough to smooth with a putty knife gently sand them and brush on an exterior primer. This will stop the new glass from absorbing moisture from the wood, and will reduce its life.
Once the frame is cleaned and prepared, you can knead some putty until it is soft and malleable. Apply a thin layer of it using the blade of putty to the inside of the corner rabbets in order to create a narrow bed that 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 within the sash. Before you attempt to remove them, wear a pair of safety goggles to protect yourself from glass shattering. A heat gun set to a low setting can help you to warm up and loosen the steel so you can bend it away from the frame using pliers.
Once the glass and frame are set, test the frame by sliding it into its place. Adjust the glass as required before you secure it with spring clips or metal triangulars. Check that the distance between the frame and the glass is uniform and even across all sides. You can also check the movement of the sash to make sure that the new pane will not interfere with closing or opening the window. Speak with a restoration specialist if you encounter any problems during the installation. They can assist you to fix and preserve your home's historic features.
Install the Pane of Glass
Before you install the new glass pane It is important to test the fit to ensure that it fits properly. Measure the height and width of the window opening by measuring from the outside edge of the L channels. Subtract 1/8 of an inch from each measurement to determine the glass size you require. It will be much easier to install the glass if you slightly undersize it. This will also allow for seasonal expansion and contraction of the frame. You can take your measurements to the hardware store or home centre and they will cut a piece of glass for you. You can also cut the glass yourself, if you have a huge sheet available.
After the old pane glass is removed, you should remove the window sash grooves and remove any glazing points made of steel that held the previous pane in place. A paint scraper that is a pull type or a chisel can be used to accomplish this task. If the grooves are stuffed full of hardened putty, slowly soften it with a heat gun. Cover the windows and moldings around them with aluminum foil in order to keep them safe from heat.
Scrape and sand the rabbets in which the glass is, and then brush an exterior primer on them to stop the putty from absorbing its natural oils and reducing its life. It is also recommended to clean the grooves of the sash.
Place a small amount of it into the rabbets, in which the glass will be placed. french door handle repairs isn't important at this point. Place the new pane into the rabbets and then move it with your fingers.
If there are holes in the wood frame around the glass, fill the holes with silicone caulk prior to installing the new glass pane. If the frame has any other fixing mechanisms, such as L channels, use an hammer and pull them from the sash grooves. Check the frame for shards of glass that may have shattered during removal, and remove them prior to continuing. Then, apply a layer of clear silicone caulk on the bottom of the frame where it meets the floor to keep water and pests out of the house.