What Is Replacing French Door Glass And Why Is Everyone Talking About It?
Replacing French Door Glass
Replacing a broken piece of glass on a French door is a simple DIY project. Cleaning the glass by removing the molding and trim and then installing a new pane is all that's required.
French doors are made of multiple glass panes separated by functional muntin bars which are also referred to as mullions. They come in a broad variety of styles and can be triple-paned to reduce the sound and control glare.
How to replace a broken pane of glass
Wear rubber gloves and safety goggles before you begin to replace the glass. This will protect you from any broken glass shards that may fall during the process. Work in an open area such as garages and keep children away. For better access it is best to take the window frame from its ledge. However you can still replace one pane of glass without having to remove the entire frame.
Begin by scraping off any old glazing compound or caulking around the edges of the sash with a putty knife. You don't want to damage the wood molding that holds the window in place. You'll need it to support the new pane.
If you're working with a steel-casement window, the window may be secured with metal glazing points. You'll need to remove these, as well as the old putty, before you can get the pane out of the frame. A paint scraper or chisel should work, but if you find that the putty is difficult to get out, slowly soften it with a heat gun. The heat gun should be held about an inch from the glass and move it back and forth to spread the heat. Double-up the aluminum foil and then place it on the adjacent panes. This will prevent them from breaking due to heat.
After the old glass has been removed, wipe down the inside of the window sash with an damp cloth to scrub off any dirt or dust. It is now time to install a new piece of glass.
Take measurements of the width and height to determine the dimensions of the glass. To purchase a new glass pane that is sized to fit inside the door frame, measure these measurements and subtract an eighth inch from each side. Many hardware stores will cut a piece for you in the event that they have the measurements.
Warm up a small amount of putty, then roll it into a 3/4-inch rope. Place the putty along the edge of the exposed rabbet. Then, rest the blade of your putty knife at a 45 degree angle against the frame rabbet. The knife should be pulled along the edge of the glass in a smooth, straight line to cut a piece of the pane. Repeat with the remaining edges of the glass and then scrape off the excess putty.
Take the broken Pane
A broken glass pane in the French door isn't just an eye ailment, it's a safety hazard. Replacing glass in a French door is done in a few simple steps and is typically less costly than replacing the entire door panel. The majority of homeowners can complete this work themselves, however professional assistance is available in the event that the project requires special tools or skills.
Begin by removing the broken pane of glass, then taking care to clean any broken or cracked pieces from the frame. Wear safety glasses and gloves to prevent glass shards from entering your eyes or on your face. Clean the glass pane's opening to remove any residual putty or caulking that was used to hold the old pane in place.
The next step is to take off any molding or trim that holds the glass in place. This isn't easy because it may require some prying to break the molding out. Wearing protective gear and having someone assist you with the prying is an ideal idea. It's also a good idea to label the pieces you're pulling off, so you can return them to their place when you're ready.
replace window with french doors of the new glass is easy once the molding has been removed. Take measurements of the opening for the glass pane and then visit an online glass shop to purchase a piece new glass for your French door. It's a good idea buy a piece made of safety glass since it will not shatter as easily if your French doors break again.
When you're ready to install the new piece of glass ensure that it's placed correctly in the opening. Then, you can apply a thin dot of clear silicone caulk around the glass's edge.
You can replace the molding after the caulk dries. 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 previous ones. To avoid the nails breaking the molding, it is recommended to first drill the holes. A well-stocked hardware store carries very thin bits that you can use to drill the holes.
Cut a New Pane of Glass
Double-check the spacing around the frame of the window and the edges before you order an additional pane. You may need to adjust spring clips or metal triangulars that keep it in place if there are gaps. You also need to make sure that the new pane is a adequate size for your opening. If it's not large, you could face leakage or other issues when it is installed.
The first step is to prepare the work surface. With a putty knife scrape away the old compound on both sides of the frame. This will expose the wood. If the rabbets on the frame are too rough to smooth out with a putty blade then lightly sand the edges and apply an exterior primer. This will prevent the new glazing from absorbing moisture from the wood, and will reduce its lifespan.
Once the frame is clean and prepped and ready to be used, warm a few tablespoons of putty by kneading it until it's soft and malleable. Use the putty knife to apply a thin layer of it to the inside corner of the rabbets, forming a narrow bed for the glass to rest against. Repeat the process for the remaining exposed edges.
Remove any remaining metal pieces from the sash's grooves when the putty has dried. Wear safety goggles before attempting to remove the points in order to keep yourself safe from shards glass. Heat guns on low settings can be used to gently warm the metal, allowing it to loosen so that you can remove it by using pliers.
Slide the glass into place to test fit. Make any necessary adjustments prior to fixing it with spring clips or metal triangles. Check that the distance between the frame and the glass is even and uniform across all sides. Also, test the movement of the sash to make sure that the new pane will not hinder closing or opening the window. If you encounter any issues with the installation, you should consult an expert in restoration to help you restore and maintain your historic home.
Install the Pane of Glass
Before installing the new pane of glass, you should test-fit it to make sure it fits snugly. Take measurements of the width and height of the window opening, in relation to the outside edges 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 allow for seasonal expansion and contraction of the wood frame. Bring your measurements to a hardware store or home center and have them cut a piece of glass for you. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself if happen to have a large sheet of stock glass handy.
Once the old pane of glass has been removed, you must clean out the window sash grooves and take off any glazing points made of metal that held the old pane in place. A pull-type paint scraper or a chisel is ideal to accomplish this job. If the grooves have an abundance of putty that has been hardened, you can gradually soften it by using a heating gun. Cover the windows and moldings around them with aluminum foil in order to protect them from heat.
Scrape and sand the rabbets on which the glass sits, brushing an exterior primer over them to help prevent the putty from absorbing its natural oils and shortening its lifespan. You should also wipe down the sash to get rid of any dirt and dust from the grooves.
Press a small amount into the rabbets, where the glass will be placed. At this point, it's not about neatness. Press the new pane in 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 other mechanisms for fastening, like L-channels, you can use a hammer to pry them out of the sash grooves. Remove any shards that may have come loose during the removal of the frame. To prevent pests and water from entering your home, apply a clear silicone caulk over the frame's bottom edge where it meets the floor.