Replacing French Door Glass
It is relatively simple to replace a damaged glass pane in a French Door. Cleaning the glass by removing the molding and trim and then putting in a new pane of glass is all that's required.
French doors have multiple glass panes separated by muntin bars for functional purposes which are also referred to as Mullions. They are available in a variety configurations and can also include triple-pane glass to increase energy efficiency, cut down on sound and minimize the glare.
How do you replace a damaged pane of glass
Before you start the replacement process, wear gloves made of rubber and safety glasses to shield yourself from any shards of broken glass that could fall off during the replacement process. Also, work in a garage or another open space, and keep children away from the area. For easier access, it's best to remove your 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 away any caulking or glazing material around the edge of the window sash. You don't want to damage 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 could be secured with glazing points made of metal. These points, along with the old putty, will have to be removed prior to you can remove the window from the frame. A paint scraper or chisel should work however, if you find that the putty is too difficult to get out, slowly soften it with a heating gun. Hold the heat gun about 1 inch away from the glass and move it back and forth to spread the heat. Double-up the aluminum foil, then place it on the adjacent panes. This will stop them from breaking due to the heat.
After you've removed the old glass, apply a damp cloth and clean the inside of the window sash to get rid of any dust or dirt. Then you can install a new pane of glass.
Take measurements of the width and height to determine the size of the glass. To purchase a glass pane that will fit into the door frame, measure these measurements and subtract an eighth inch from each side. Many hardware stores can cut a piece of glass for you in the event that they have the measurements.
Putty that is warm in your hands, then roll it into a rope about 3/4 inch thick. Position the putty on the edge of the rabbet. Then, rest the blade of your knife at a 45-degree angle against the frame rabbet. Pull the knife along the glass's edge in a straight, smooth line to cut a piece of the pane. Repeat the process for the other edges of the pane. Then, scrape off the excess putty.
Take off the broken Pane
A broken pane of glass in the French door isn't just an eye ailment, it's a safety hazard. It's simple to replace a pane of glass in a French-style door, and it's typically less expensive than replacing the whole door panel. The majority of homeowners are able to do this on their own, but professional assistance is available to those who require specialized tools or know-how.
Begin by removing the broken sheet of glass and cleaning up any broken or cracked pieces from the frame. Repair My Windows And Doors and gloves to prevent glass shards from getting in your eyes or onto your face. Then, clean out the glass opening to remove any caulking or putty that was used to hold the previous pane in place.
The next step is to eliminate any trim or molding holding the glass in place. This isn't easy since it could require some prying to break the molding off. Wearing protective equipment and having a person help you in prying is a good idea. Label the pieces you're removing so that you can return them to their original position.
The installation of the new glass is simple after the molding is removed. Take measurements of the opening in the glass pane, and then go to a glass shop to purchase a glass that is new for your French door. It is 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're ready to put in the new piece of glass, make sure it's aligned correctly in the opening. Then, apply a fine bead of clear silicone caulk around the glass's edge.
After the caulk has dried after drying, you can put in a new molding. If the original nails did not penetrate the molding you can hammer in new wire nails to fill in the holes left behind by the old nails. To avoid the nails cutting the molding, it is recommended to first drill the holes. A well-stocked hardware store stocks tiny bits that can be used to drill holes.
Cut a New Pane of Glass
Double-check the spacing around the frame of the window and around the edges before ordering a replacement pane. If you find any gaps, you may have to adjust the spring clips or triangles that hold the glass in place. It is also important to ensure that your new pane is the correct size for the opening. If it's too big there could be leakage and other problems.
The first step is to make the work surface. Scrape the old compound off both sides of the frame using a putty blade reveal the bare wood. If the rabbets on the frame are too rough to smooth out using a knife and you want to smooth them out, lightly sand them and apply an exterior primer. This will stop the new glaze from drawing moisture from the wood, thereby reducing 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 apply a thin layer of it to the inside corners of the rabbets. This creates an elongated bed for the glass to rest against. Repeat the process for the other exposed edges.
Once the putty has dried take any remaining metal glazing points that are stuck in the grooves of the sash. Wear safety goggles prior to trying to remove the points to keep yourself safe from shards glass. A heat gun set to the lowest setting will help you warm up and loosen the metal, so you can bend it away from the frame using pliers.
Place the glass in place to test fit. Make any necessary adjustments before fixing it with the spring clips or metal triangles. Ensure that the gap between the frame and glass is even and uniform on all sides, and check the sash's movement to ensure that the new glass won't interfere with opening or closing the window. Contact a restoration expert if you encounter any problems during the installation. They can help you fix and preserve your home's historic features.
Install the Pane of Glass
Before installing the new glass It is important to test the fit to ensure it fits snugly. Find the width and the height of the window opening, in relation to the edges of the L-channels. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to find the size of glass you should purchase. Slightly undersizing the pane will make it easier to install and provide room for seasonal expansion and contraction of the wood frame. Bring your measurements to an hardware store or home center, and let them cut a piece glass for you. You can cut the glass yourself in the event that you have a huge sheet in your possession.
After removing the glass pane and cleaning the window sash grooves. Remove any metal glazing points used to hold the previous pane. This can be done with a pull-type paint scraper, or a Chisel. If the grooves are full of putty that has hardened, slowly soften it with a heat gun. Be careful to cover surrounding windows and molding with aluminum foil to protect them from the heat.
Scrape and sand the rabbets in which the glass sits, brushing an exterior primer on them to stop the putty from drawing out its natural oils and shortening its lifespan. You should also wipe down the sash in order to remove any dirt and dust from the grooves.
Place a small amount of it into the rabbets where the glass will be placed. At this point, the cleanliness is not a factor. Place the new pane in the rabbets. Then, move it around and apply consistent pressure using your fingers to ensure that it's placed in the right place.
If there are any holes in the frame of wood around the glass, fill the holes with silicone caulk prior to installing the new glass. If the frame has other mechanisms for fastening such as L-channels, make use of a hammer to pull them out of the sash grooves. Take out any shards of wood that might have become loose during the removal of the frame. To keep pests and water from entering the house, apply a clear silicone caulk on the frame's bottom edge at the point where it joins floor.