Replacing French Door Glass
Replacing a damaged pane of glass in 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 have multiple glass panes, separated by functional muntin bars also known as Mullions. They are available in a wide variety of designs and can be triple-paned in order to reduce the noise and reduce glare.
How to replace a damaged Pane of Glass
Wear rubber gloves and safety glasses prior to replacing the glass. This will protect you from any broken glass fragments that might fall during the process. Work in an open space such as a garage and keep your children out. It is best to remove the window frame from the sill to allow better accessibility and maneuverability However, you can replace a pane without taking the entire window out of the 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 damage to the wood molding holding the window in place. You'll need it to hold the new pane.
If you're working with a steel casement windows, it may be held in position by the metal glazing points. You'll need to remove these along with the old putty, before you can take the glass 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. Keep the heat gun about an inch away from the glass and move it backwards and forwards to spread the warmth. Double-up the aluminum foil and then place it on the glass adjacent to it. This will prevent them from breaking due to the heat.
After removing the old glass, apply a damp cloth to wipe the inside of the window sash to remove any dirt or dust. It is now time to install a new piece of glass.
To cut a glass piece to size, first measure the width and height of the opening. Note these measurements and subtract 1/8 inch from all sides to create a new piece that is able to fit into the door frame. Many hardware stores will cut a piece of glass for you, if you give them the measurement.
Warm a small amount of putty in your hands and roll it into a length of 3/4 inch thick. Position the putty on the edge of the exposed rabbet. Place the blade of your putty knife at a 45-degree angle against the frame rabbet. Move the knife along the edge of the glass in a straight, smooth line to cut a section of the pane. Repeat the procedure with the other edges of the pane. Then, scrape away the excess putty.
Take the broken Pane
A broken pane in a French-styled door is not only an eyesore however, it could also pose a risk to safety. Replacing a pane of glass in a French door can be accomplished in a few simple steps and is usually much less expensive than replacing the entire door panel. Most homeowners can do the job themselves, but professional assistance is available if the project requires specialized skills or tools.
Begin by getting replacing glass in french door of any cracked or broken pieces of the frame. It is essential to wear gloves and goggles to avoid getting shards of glass in your face or eyes. Clean the glass opening to eliminate any caulking or putty that was used to hold the previous pane in place.
The next step is to eliminate the molding or trim that is holding the glass in place. This can be a challenge since it could require some prying to get the molding loose. Wearing protective gear and having someone assist you with the prying is a good idea. Label the pieces you are removing so you can put them back in their original positions.
Once the molding is removed, you can begin installing the new pane of glass. Visit a glass shop and take measurements of the opening of the glass. You should get security glass for your French door, since it will not shatter easily if they break again.
When you're ready to install the glass piece make sure that it's aligned correctly in the opening. Then, you can apply a thin dot of clear silicone caulk around the edge of the glass.
Once the caulk has dried, you can replace the molding. If the nails that were used originally didn't penetrate the molding, you can hammer in new wire nails to fill the holes left behind by the old ones. To prevent the nails from cutting the molding, it is recommended to drill the holes prior to drilling them. You can drill the holes using tiny bits from a hardware store that is well stocked.
Cut a New Pane of Glass
Before purchasing a new piece of glass, ensure that the frame's spacing and the edges of the window are even. If you find any gaps, you may need to adjust the spring clips or triangles that secure the glass in place. Also, you must make sure that the new pane is adequate size for your opening; if it's too large, you could experience leaks or other issues after it's installed.
The first step is to make a work surface. Scrape the old compound off the frame's sides using a putty knife to expose the wood. If the rabbets on the frame are too rough to smooth with a putty blade, lightly sand the edges and apply an exterior primer. This will prevent the new glaze from absorption of moisture from the wood and reduce its life.
After the frame has been cleaned and ready, warm a handful of putty by kneading until it's soft and malleable. Apply a thin layer with the blade of putty to the inside corner rabbets to create a narrow bed against which the glass can rest. Repeat the process on the other exposed edges of the rabbets.
Remove any remaining metal points that remain in the sash's grooves when the putty has dried. Before attempting to remove them, you should wear goggles with safety features to shield yourself from glass shattering. Heat guns on low settings can be used to gently warm the metal and loosen it so that it is possible to remove it using pliers.
Place the glass in place to test fit. Make any necessary adjustments prior to securing it in place with the spring clips or metal triangles. Check that the gap between the frame and the glass is uniform across all sides. Examine the movement of the window sash and make sure that the new glass does not hinder the opening or closing. Speak with a restoration specialist should you encounter any issues during the installation. They can assist you to repair and maintain your historic home.
Install the Pane of Glass
Test-fit the glass pane to ensure it fits properly before putting it up. Measure the width and height of the window opening, taking measurements to the outside edges of the L-channels. Subtract 1/8 of an inch from each measurement to determine the size of glass you need. Slightly undersizing the pane will allow it to be installed more easily and allow for seasonal expansion and contraction of the wood frame. Take your measurements to an hardware store or home center and have 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 the old pane glass has been removed, you should clean the window sash grooves, and remove any metal glazing points that held the old pane in place. A pull-type paint scraper or a chisel can be used to accomplish this task. If the grooves are filled of putty that has hardened, slowly soften it by using a heating gun. Be sure to cover windows and molding with aluminum foil to shield them from heat.
It is also possible to use an exterior primer to keep the putty from absorbing its natural oils. It is also recommended to clean the grooves in the sash.
Place a small amount of it into the rabbets, in which the glass will be placed. The appearance of the glass isn't crucial at this stage. Place the new pane into the rabbets and then wiggle it using your fingers.
If there are any holes in the wood frame around the glass, you can fill them with silicone caulk before installing the new pane of glass. If the frame has any other fixing mechanisms, such as L channels, make use of an hammer and pull them out of the sash grooves. Examine the frame for shards of glass that might have broken during removal, and take them out of them before proceeding. Finally, put a coat of clear silicone caulk over the bottom of the frame where it connects to the floor to keep water and pests out of the house.