Replacing French Door Glass
It is fairly simple to replace a damaged glass pane on a French Door. It involves cleaning the glass pane and removing molding or trim, and putting in an entirely new window pane.
French doors feature multiple glass panes, separated by muntin bars for functional purposes, also known as mullions. They are available in a wide variety of styles and can be triple-paned in order to reduce the noise and reduce the glare.
How to replace a broken pane of glass
Wear rubber gloves and safety glasses prior to replacing the glass. This will shield you from any broken glass shards that might fall during the process. Also work in a garage or another open space and keep children away from the area. It's best to remove the window frame from the sill for better access and maneuverability However, you can replace a pane without taking the entire window out of the frame.
Start by scraping off any old glazing compound or caulking around the edges of the sash with a putty knife. Be careful not to scratch the wood molding that holds the window in place because you'll require it later to hold the new pane.
If you're working with a casement window made of steel, it may be held in position by the metal glazing points. These points, along with the old putty, will have to be removed prior to you can take the pane from the frame. Paint scraper or chisel can work. If the putty is difficult to get rid of, you can make use of a heat gun to soften it. Hold the heat gun about one inch from the glass and move it around to spread the heat. Double-up the aluminum foil, then place it on the adjacent panes. This will prevent them from breaking due to heat.
After removing the old glass, take a damp cloth and wipe the inside of the window sash in order to remove any dust or dirt. It is now time to install a new piece of glass.
Take measurements of the width and height to determine the size of the glass. Take these measurements and subtract 1/8 inch from all sides to get a new glass that will fit easily into the door frame. Many hardware stores will cut a piece for you in the event that they have the measurements.
Warm up a few tablespoons of putty, then roll it into a 3/4-inch rope. Place repairing french doors along the edge of the exposed rabbet. Place the blade of your knife at a 45 degree angle against the frame rabbet. The knife should be pulled along the edge of the glass in a smooth, straight line to cut a piece of the pane. Repeat the process with the other edges of the pane. Then, scrape away the excess putty.
Remove the Broken Pane
A broken glass pane in a French-styled door is not just an eye sore but can also be a safety risk. Replacing a glass pane in a French door can be accomplished in a few easy steps and is typically cheaper than replacing the entire door panel. The majority of homeowners can complete the task by themselves, however professional assistance is available for those who require specialized tools or expertise.
Begin by removing the broken pane of glass, then clean any cracked or shattered fragments from the frame. It is crucial to wear gloves and goggles to avoid getting shards of glass in your face or eyes. Then, clean out the glass opening to remove any caulking or putty you used to hold the previous pane in place.
The next step is to take off any trim or molding holding the glass in place. This isn't easy because it may require some prying to break the molding off. This is why it's a good idea to wear your protective gear and to have someone assist you in the process of prying if you need help. Label the pieces that you are removing so you can return them to their original positions.
Installing the glass is easy once the molding has been removed. Take measurements of the glass pane opening and then go to an establishment that sells glass to purchase a glass that is new for your French door. You should get security glass for your French door, because it won't break easily in the event of a break.
Once you're ready to set up the new piece of glass 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.
After the caulk has dried, you can replace the molding. If the nails that were used originally didn't penetrate the molding, you can put in new wire nails to fill the holes left behind by the previous ones. Pre-drilling the holes will prevent the nails from splitting through the molding. You can drill holes using tiny bits from the hardware store that is well stocked.
How to cut a New Pane Of Glass
Check the spacing around the frame of the window and around the edges before ordering an additional pane. You may need to adjust spring clips or triangulars to hold it in place if there are gaps. Also, you must make sure that the new pane is a suitable size for your opening; if it's too large, you could face leaks or other issues after it's installed.
The first step is to prepare an area for work. With a putty knife scrape away the old compound on both sides of the frame. This will expose the wood. If the frames' rabbets 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 prevent the new glazing from absorbing moisture from the wood, and will reduce its life.
After the frame has been cleaned and prepared, knead some putty until it is soft and malleable. Use the putty knife to apply a thin layer to the inside of the rabbets. This creates an even bed for the glass to rest on. Repeat the process for the other exposed edges.
Remove any remaining metal points from the sash's grooves when the putty has dried. Wear safety goggles prior to trying to remove the points to protect yourself from shards of glass. A heat gun set to a low setting will help you warm up and loosen the steel to allow you to bend it out of the frame with pliers.
After the glass and frame are ready, test-fit it by sliding it into the frame. Adjust the glass as required before you secure it with spring clips or triangulars made of metal. Check that the gap between the frame and the glass is consistent across all sides. Examine the movement of the window sash and make sure that the new glass does not interfere with the closing or opening. If you encounter any issues with the installation, consult a professional specializing in restoration to help you restore and maintain your historic home.
Install the Pane of Glass
Test-fit the new glass pane to ensure that it fits snugly 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 glass you need. Slightly undersizing the pane will allow it to be installed more easily and provide room for seasonal expansion and contraction of the wood frame. You can bring your measurements to a hardware store or home centre and they cut the glass for you. You can also cut the glass yourself when you have a huge sheet on hand.
After the old pane glass has been removed, remove the window sash grooves and remove any glazing points made of steel 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 are full of hardened putty, slowly soften it by using a heating gun. Cover surrounding windows and moldings with aluminum foil to keep them safe from heat.
Scrape and sand the rabbets in which the glass sits, brushing an exterior primer on them to prevent the putty from drawing out its natural oils and thus reducing its life. Also, clean the grooves in the sash.
Put a small amount of the mixture into the rabbets, where the glass will be placed. It's not important to be neat at this stage. Press the new pane in the rabbets, and then move it with your fingers.
If there are 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 any other fixing mechanisms, such as L channels, use a hammer and pry them out of the sash grooves. Remove any shards that may have come loose during the removal of the frame. To keep water and pests from entering your home Apply a clear silicone caulk over the bottom edge of frame at the point where it joins floor.