Why Replacing French Door Glass Is The Best Choice For You?
Replacing French Door Glass
It is fairly simple to replace a broken glass pane in the French door. It involves cleaning the glass pane, removing trim or molding and then putting in an entirely new window pane.
French doors are made of multiple glass panes, separated by functional muntin bars, also known as Mullions. They come in a broad variety of designs and can be triple-paned in order to reduce the sound and control the glare.
How to replace a broken pane of glass
Before you start you begin, put on a pair of rubber gloves and safety glasses to protect yourself from any fragments of broken glass that may fall off during the replacement process. Also, work in a garage or other open space and keep children out from the area. To make it easier to access the area it is recommended to remove the window frame from its ledge. However you can still change one pane of glass without having to remove the entire frame.
With a putty blade, scrape off any caulking or glazing compound that is around the edges of the window sash. Be careful not to damage the wood molding that holds the window in place as you'll need it later to hold the new pane.
If you are working with a steel casement windows, it may be anchored by the metal glazing points. These points, as well as the old putty, will need to be removed before you can remove the pane from the frame. A paint scraper or Chisel can be used however, if you find that the putty is 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 distribute the heat. Double the aluminum foil on the other panes to stop them from cracking because of the heat.
Once the old glass has been removed, wipe down the inside of the window sash using a damp cloth to clean off any dust or dirt. Then, you can put in the new glass.
To cut a glass piece to size, first take measurements of the width and height of the opening. Record 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 can cut a piece of glass for you if they have the measurements.
Putty that is warm in your hands before rolling it into a length of 3/4 inch thick. Place the putty along the edge of the rabbet. Place repairmywindowsanddoors of your putty knife at a 45 degree angle against the frame rabbet. To cut a section from the pane, pull the knife in a straight and straight line across the glass's edge. Repeat with the remaining edges of the glass and then scrape away the excess putty.
Take off the broken Pane
A damaged pane of glass in a French-style door is not only an eyesore however, it could also pose a security risk. It's easy to replace a glass pane on a French-style door and it's generally less expensive than replacing the whole door panel. Most homeowners can handle this task themselves, though professional assistance is available if the task requires specialized skills or tools.
Begin by removing the broken pane of glass, then clean any broken or cracked pieces from the frame. Wear safety goggles and gloves to prevent glass shards from entering your eyes or on your face. Then, clean the glass pane's openings to get rid of any putty or caulking that was used to keep the old pane in place.
The next step is to remove any molding or trim that holds the glass in place. It could be a challenge to get the molding off. This is why it's important to wear your protective gear, and to have someone assist you with the prying if necessary. It's also an excellent idea to identify the pieces you're taking off, so you can put them back at the appropriate time.
Once the molding has been removed and the molding is removed, you can begin putting in the new glass pane. Visit a glass store and take measurements of the glass's opening. It's a good idea to get a piece of safety glass, as it won't shatter as easily if your French doors break again.
When you're ready to install the new piece of glass make sure that it's aligned properly in the opening. Apply a thin layer clear silicone caulk to the edge of the glass.
Once the caulk has dried, you can replace the molding. If the original nails did not pull through the molding, you can hammer in new wire nails to fill in the holes left by the previous ones. To avoid the nails breaking the molding, it is recommended to drill the holes prior to drilling them. You can drill holes using tiny bits from a hardware store that is well stocked.
Cut a New Pane of Glass
Before ordering a new pane of glass, ensure that the frame's dimensions and the edges of the window are even. If you find any gaps, you may require adjusting the spring clips or metal triangles that secure it to the frame. Also, you must make sure that the new pane is suitable size for your opening; if it's too large, you could face leakage or other issues when it's put in.
The first step is to make the work surface. With a putty knife scrape away the old compound on both sides of the frame, leaving the wood. If the rabbets have become too rough to smooth with the putty knife gently sand them and apply an exterior primer. This will prevent the new glass from absorbing moisture from the wood and shorten its life.
After the frame has been cleaned and prepared, knead some putty until it's soft and malleable. Apply a thin layer with the putty blade to the inside corner rabbets to create a narrow bed on which the glass can rest. Repeat the process for the other exposed edges of the rabbets.
Once the putty has dried and the putty is removed, you can remove any remaining glazing points from the grooves within the sash. Before you attempt to remove them, put on a pair of safety goggles to shield yourself from glass fragments. Heat guns on low settings can be used to gently warm the metal, allowing it to loosen so you can take it off using pliers.
Slide the glass into place to test the fit. Make any adjustments needed before securing it in place with spring clips or steel triangles. Check that the distance between the glass and frame is even and uniform across all sides. You can also check the sash's movement to make sure that the new pane will not interfere with closing or opening the window. If you have any issues regarding the installation, consult an expert who specializes in restoration to help you repair and preserve your home's historic features.
Install the Pane of Glass
Test-fit the new glass to ensure it fits snugly before putting it up. Take measurements of the width and height of the window opening by measuring it to the outside edge of the L channels. Subtract 1/8 of an inch from each measurement to determine the glass size you require. It is easier to install the glass if you slightly undersize it. This will also allow for seasonal expansion and contracting of the wood frame. Take your measurements to an hardware store or a home center and let them cut a piece glass for you. You can cut the glass yourself, if you have a large sheet on hand.
Once the old pane of glass has been removed, you should clean out the window sash grooves and take off any glazing points made of metal that held the old pane in place. This can be done using a scraper that is a type of pull, or a chipper. If the grooves contain an abundance of putty that has been hardened it is possible to gradually soften it with a heat gun. Cover the moldings and windows with aluminum foil in order to shield them from heat.
You can also apply an exterior primer to prevent the putty from absorbing its natural oils. Also, clean the grooves in the sash.
Place a small amount of it into the rabbets, in which the glass will be placed. At this point, cleanliness is not a factor. Place the new pane into the rabbets and then move it using your fingers.
Fill any holes in the frame with silicone caulk. Then, you can install the new glass. If the frame is equipped with other fastening mechanisms such as L channels, you can use the hammer to pry them out of the sash grooves. Get rid of any shards that might have become loose during the removal of the frame. Finally, put a coat of clear silicone caulk on the bottom edge of the frame where it meets the floor to keep pests and water out of your home.