Replacing French Door Glass

Replacing a broken pane of glass on a french door glass replacement door is a relatively simple DIY project. It involves cleaning the pane of glass, removing trim or molding and installing a new window pane.

French doors feature multiple glass panes that are separated by muntin bars. They are also known as mullions. They are available in a variety of styles and can also include triple-pane glass to increase energy efficiency, reduce sound and reduce the glare.

How to Replace a Broken Pane of Glass

Wear rubber gloves and safety goggles before beginning to replace the glass. This will shield you from any broken glass fragments that could fall during the process. Also, work in a garage or an open space, and keep children away from the area. To make it easier to access the area it is recommended to remove your window frame from its sill. However you can still replace the pane, but without removing the entire frame.

Begin by scraping off any old glazing compound or replacing french door glass caulking around the edges of the sash with a putty knife. You don't want to harm the wood molding holding the window in place. It will be needed to support the new pane.

If you're working with a steel-casement windows The window may be secured with metal glazing points. You'll need to remove these along with the old putty, before you can remove the window out of the frame. A paint scraper or a Chisel can be used, but if you find that the putty is difficult to remove, gradually soften it with a heat gun. Hold the heat gun about one inch from the glass and move it around to distribute the heat. Place two sheets of aluminum foil on the adjacent panes to stop them from cracking because of the heat.

Once the old glass is removed, wipe down the inside of the window sash with an damp cloth to scrub off any dust or dirt. Now you can install a new glass pane.

To cut a glass piece to size, first determine the width and the height of the existing opening. Record these measurements and subtract 1/8 inch from each side to create a new piece that is able to fit into the door frame. Many hardware stores will cut a piece for you in the event that they have the measurements.

Warm a small amount of putty in your hands, then roll it into a rope that is 3/4 inch thick. Place the putty along the edge of the exposed rabbet. Place the blade of your putty knife at a 45-degree angle against the frame rabbet. The knife should be pulled across the glass's edge in a straight, smooth line to cut a section of the pane. Repeat the process for the other edges of the pane. Then, scrape off the excess putty.

Remove the Broken Pane

A damaged pane of glass in a French-style door is not just an eye-sore, but it can also pose a security risk. It's simple to replace a glass pane on a french door lock repair-style door and it's usually cheaper than replacing the entire door panel. Most homeowners can do this work themselves, however professional assistance is available if the task requires special tools or skills.

Start by removing any broken or cracked fragments of the frame. It is important to wear gloves and goggles to avoid getting shards of glass in your face or eyes. Then, clean the glass's opening to remove any caulking or putty that was used to hold the previous pane in place.

The next step is to take off any molding or trim that was holding the pane of glass in place. It can be difficult to pry the molding out. Wearing protective gear and having someone assist you with the prying is an ideal idea. It's also an excellent idea to mark the pieces you're taking off, so you can return them to their place at the appropriate time.

Once the molding is removed, you can begin installing the new glass pane. Visit a glass store and take measurements of the opening of the glass. You should get safety glass for your french door window repair door, since it will not shatter easily if it breaks again.

When you're ready to install the glass piece make sure that it's aligned properly in the opening. Apply a thin coating of clear silicone caulk to the edges of the glass.

Once the caulk has dried after drying, you can put in a new molding. 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 old nails. By drilling the holes prior to drilling, you can prevent the nails from splitting through the molding. You can make holes using very thin bits from the hardware store that is well stocked.

Cut a New Pane of Glass

Before you purchase a new pane of glass, ensure that the frame's spacing and the edges of the window are even. If you find any gaps, you might require adjusting the spring clips or the metal triangles that secure it in place. You also need to ensure that the new pane is a suitable size for your opening. If it's not large, you could face leakage or other issues when it's put in.

The first step is to make an area for work. Scrape the old compound off the frame's sides using a putty knife to reveal the bare wood. If the rabbets of the frame are too rough to smooth using a putty knife and you want to smooth them out, lightly sand them and apply an exterior primer. This will prevent the new glaze from absorption of moisture from the wood and reduce its lifespan.

Once the frame is cleaned and prepared, knead a handfull of putty until it's soft and Replacing French Door Glass malleable. Use the putty knife to apply a thin layer of it to the inside of the rabbets. This creates an elongated bed for the glass to rest on. Repeat the process on the other edges that are exposed on the rabbets.

When the putty is dry take any remaining metal glazing points from the grooves in the sash. Wear safety glasses prior to attempting to remove the points in order to protect yourself from shards of glass. A heat gun set to an low setting can help you gently warm up and loosen the metal to allow you to bend it out of the frame with pliers.

Once the glass and frame are in place, test it by sliding it into the frame. Make any necessary adjustments prior to fixing it with the spring clips or metal triangles. Ensure that the gap between the frame and the glass is uniform and even on all sides, and check the sash's movement to ensure that the new pane will not hinder opening or closing the window. If you have any issues with the installation, consult an expert in restoration to help you restore and maintain your historic home.

Install the Pane of Glass

Test-fit the glass pane to ensure that it fits snugly before putting it up. Find the height and width of the window opening by measuring to the outside edge of the L channels. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to determine the size of glass you should purchase. A little undersizing of the pane will allow it to be installed more easily and will 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 glass for you. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself if you happen to have a large sheet of stock glass.

After 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 which held the previous pane in place. This can be accomplished using a scraper that is a type of pull, or a chisel. If the grooves have an abundance of putty that is hardened, you can gradually soften it by using a heating gun. Be sure to cover windows and molding with aluminum foil to protect them from the heat.

Scrape and sand the rabbets on which the glass is placed, then brush an exterior primer over them to stop the putty from drawing out its natural oils and shortening its life. You should also clean the sash to remove any dirt and dust from the grooves.

Put a small amount of the mixture into the rabbets, in which the glass will be placed. At this stage, neatness is not important. Make sure to press the new pane into the rabbets and then move it using your fingers.

If there are any holes in the wood frame around the glass, you can fill them with silicone caulk prior installing the new glass. If the frame has any other mechanisms for fastening such as L-channels, make use of a hammer to pull them out from the sash grooves. Get rid of any shards that might have become loose when removing the frame. Finally, put a coat of clear silicone caulk over the bottom edge of the frame, where it joins the floor to keep pests and water out of your home.