Replacing French Door Glass
It is fairly simple to replace a broken glass pane in the French door. It involves cleaning the glass pane trimming or molding and then putting in a new window pane.
French doors have multiple glass panes, separated by muntin bars for functional purposes, also known as mullions. They come in a broad variety of designs and are able to be triple-paned in order to reduce noise and control glare.
How to replace a broken pane of glass
Before you start, put on gloves made of rubber and safety glasses to protect yourself from any broken pieces of glass that might fall off during the replacement process. Also work in a garage or other open space, and keep children away from the area. For better access it is recommended to remove your window frame from its ledge. However you can still change a single pane without removing the entire frame.
Begin by scraping away 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 support the new pane.
If you're working with a casement window made of steel it might be secured by metal glazing points. These points, as well as the old putty will need to be removed before you can take the pane from the frame. A paint scraper or chisel could work. If the putty is too hard to remove, you could use a heat gun to soften it. The heat gun should be held about an inch from the glass and move it around to distribute the heat. Place two sheets of aluminum foil on the other panes to stop them from cracking due to the heat.
Once the old glass is removed, wipe down the inside of the window sash with a damp cloth to wash off any dirt or dust. Then, you can put in the new glass.
To cut a glass piece to size first, measure the width and height of the opening. Take these measurements and subtract 1/8 inch from all sides to order a new pane that will fit easily into the door frame. Many hardware stores can cut a piece of glass for you in the event that they have the measurements.
Warm up a few tablespoons of putty and then roll it into a 3/4-inch rope. Place the putty along the edge of the exposed rabbet and rest the blade of your putty knife at a 45 degree angle against the frame rabbet. To cut a portion of the pane, push the knife in a straight and straight line along the glass's edge. Repeat the process with the other edges of the pane. Then, scrape away the excess putty.
Take the broken Pane
A broken glass pane in a French-style door not just an eye-sore but can also pose a security risk. Replacing a glass pane in a French door can be accomplished in a few easy steps, and is generally cheaper than replacing the entire door panel. The majority of homeowners can complete this work themselves, however professional assistance is available if the task requires special tools or skills.
Begin by removing the broken pane of glass and taking care to clean any broken or cracked pieces from the frame. Wear safety glasses and gloves to stop glass shards from entering your eyes or onto your face. Clean the glass pane's openings to get rid of any remaining caulking or putty that was used to hold the old pane in place.
The next step is to take off any trim or molding holding the glass in place. It may be difficult to pry the molding out. Wearing protective gear and having someone assist you in the process of prying is an ideal idea. It is also a good idea to identify the pieces you're taking off, so you know when to return them to their place when you're ready.
Installing the glass is simple after the molding has been removed. Visit a glass store and take measurements of the opening of the glass. french door glass replacement is a good idea to get a piece of safety glass since it will not break as easily should your French doors break again.
When you're ready to install the glass piece make sure that it's aligned correctly in the opening. Then, apply a thin dot of clear silicone caulk around the edge of the glass.
After the caulk is dry, you can replace the molding. If the original nails didn't pull through the molding, you can hammer new wire nails into the holes created by the old nails. The holes should be predrilled to ensure that the nails don't split through the molding. A well-stocked hardware store carries tiny bits that you can use to drill holes.
Cut a New Pane of Glass
Make sure you check the spacing between the frame of the window and the edges prior to ordering an additional pane. If you notice any gaps, you might have to adjust the spring clips or the metal triangles that secure it to the frame. You should also make sure that the new pane is appropriate for the opening. If it's too large it could cause leakage and other problems.
The first step is to create the work surface. With a putty knife scrape away the old compound on both sides of the frame, leaving the wood. If the rabbets are too rough to smooth using the putty knife, lightly sand them and brush on an exterior primer. This will prevent the new glazing from drawing moisture from the wood, thereby reducing its lifespan.
After the frame has been cleaned and prepared, you can knead a handfull of putty until it's soft and malleable. Use the putty knife to apply a thin layer of it to the inside corners of the rabbets, creating a narrow bed for the glass to rest upon. Repeat the process on the other exposed edges of the rabbets.
Remove any remaining metal points from the sash's grooves after the putty has dried. Wear safety goggles prior to trying to remove the points in order to protect yourself from shards of glass. A heat gun on an low setting will help you warm up and loosen the metal, to allow you to bend it out of the frame with pliers.
Place the glass in place to check the fit. Make any necessary adjustments before attaching it to the frame using spring clips or steel triangles. Make sure that the gap between the frame and the glass is even and uniform on all sides, and test the movement of the sash to make sure that the new pane won't interfere with closing or opening the window. If you have any issues regarding the installation, consult an expert in restoration, who can help you repair and preserve your historic home.
Install the Pane of Glass
Test-fit the glass pane to ensure it fits snugly before putting it up. Find the height and width 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 size glass you require. A little undersizing of 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 a hardware store or home center, and let them cut a piece of glass for you. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself if you happen to have a huge sheet of stock glass handy.
After removing the glass pane clean the window sash grooves. Remove any glazing points used to hold the old pane. A pull-type paint scraper or a chisel will work for this task. If the grooves are stuffed full of hardened putty, gradually soften it using a heat gun. Cover the windows and moldings around them with aluminum foil in order to shield them from heat.
It is also possible to use an exterior primer to prevent the putty from absorbing the natural oils. You should also wipe down the sash in order to remove dust and dirt from the grooves.
Knead a small amount putty until it is soft and warm, then press it into the rabbets in which the glass will go. At this point, neatness is not important. 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, install the new glass. If the frame is equipped with other fastening mechanisms, like L-channels, you can make use of a hammer to pull them out from the sash grooves. Take out any shards of wood that might have become loose in the removal of the frame. Then, apply a layer of clear silicone caulk on the bottom of the frame, where it joins the floor to keep pests and water out of the house.