Five Replacing French Door Glass Projects To Use For Any Budget
Replacing French Door Glass
Replacing a damaged pane of glass in a French door is a relatively simple DIY project. It involves cleaning the glass pane, removing trim or molding, and putting in 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 configurations and may include triple-pane glass in order to boost energy efficiency, decrease noise and minimize the glare.
How do you replace a damaged pane of glass
Wear rubber gloves and safety glasses before you begin to replace the glass. This will protect you from any broken glass fragments that might fall during the process. Also, work in a garage or other open space, and keep children away from the area. It's best to remove the window frame from the sill for greater accessibility and mobility However, you can replace a pane, without taking the entire window out of the frame.
With a putty blade scrape away any old caulking or glazing compound that is around the edge of the window sash. Be careful not to scratch the wood molding that holds the window in place since you'll need it in the future to support the new pane.
If you are working with a steel casement windows it could be anchored by the metal glazing points. You'll need to take them off as well as the old putty, before you can take the glass out of the frame. A paint scraper or tool like a chisel will work, but if you find that the putty is too difficult to pry out, gradually soften it using a heat gun. Hold the heat gun about an inch from the glass and move it back and forth to distribute the heat. Double the aluminum foil on the adjacent panes to keep 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 dirt or dust. Then you can install the new glass.
Measure the width and height to determine the dimensions of the glass. To order a new glass pane that is sized to fit inside the door frame, measure these measurements and subtract an eighth inch from each side. Many hardware stores can cut a piece for you in the event that they have the measurements.
Warm up a few tablespoons of putty and roll it into a 3/4-inch thick rope. Place the putty on the edge of the rabbet and rest the blade of your knife at a 45-degree angle against the frame rabbet. To cut a piece of the pane, pull the knife in a straight and straight line along the edge of glass. Repeat the process for the other edges of the pane. Then, scrape away the excess putty.
Take off the broken Pane
A broken pane of glass in the French door isn't just a source of irritation for the eye it's a risk to your safety. It's simple to replace a pane in a French-style door and it's generally less expensive than replacing the entire door panel. Most homeowners can do this work themselves, however professional assistance is available if the task requires special skills or tools.
Start by removing any broken or cracked fragments of the frame. Wear safety glasses and gloves to prevent glass shards from getting into your eyes or on your face. Clean the glass pane opening to remove any residual caulking or putty that was used to hold the old pane in place.
Next, you need to take off any trim or molding that held the glass in place. This can be tricky since it could require some effort to pry the molding off. Wearing protective gear and having someone assist you with the prying is an excellent idea. Label the items you're removing so that you can return them to their original position.
Installing the glass is easy after the molding is removed. Find the measurements of the glass pane opening, and then go to a glass shop to purchase a piece of glass that is new for your French door. You should purchase the safety glass for your French door, as it will not break easily if it breaks again.
When you're ready to put in the glass piece, make sure it's aligned properly in the opening. Then, apply a thin dot of clear silicone caulk over the edge of the glass.
After the caulk has dried it is possible to replace the molding. If the original nails did not pull through the molding, you can put new wire nails into the holes created by the old nails. To avoid the nails splitting the molding, you must pre-drill the holes first. A well-stocked hardware store stocks tiny bits that can be used to drill the holes.
How to cut a new Pane Of Glass
Before ordering a new pane of glass, double-check that the frame's spacing and the edges of the window are even. You may have to adjust spring clips or metal triangulars that keep it in place if there are gaps. You also need to ensure that the new pane is a appropriate size for the opening; if it's too large, you could face leakage or other issues when it's installed.
The first step is to prepare an area for work. Using a putty knife, scrape away the old compound on both sides of the frame, leaving the wood. If the rabbets of the frame are too rough to smooth out 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 absorbing moisture from wood, thereby reducing its lifespan.
After the frame is clean and ready to be used then warm a small amount of putty by kneading it until it's soft and malleable. Apply a thin layer using the blade of putty to the inside corners of the rabbets to create a bed that the glass can rest. Repeat the process on the other edges that are exposed on the rabbets.
Remove any remaining metal points from the grooves of the sash after the putty has dried. Before you attempt to remove them, put on a pair of safety goggles to protect yourself from glass shattering. Heating guns with low settings can be used to gently heat the metal, allowing it to loosen so that you can remove it with pliers.
Once the glass and frame are ready, test-fit it by sliding it into place. Adjust the glass as required before securing it with spring clips or triangulars made of metal. Ensure that the gap between the frame and glass is even and uniform on all sides, and examine the movement of the sash to ensure that the new glass will not interfere with opening or closing the window. If you find any problems regarding the installation, consult a professional specializing in restoration, who can help you repair and preserve your home's historic features.
Install the Pane of Glass
Test-fit the glass pane to ensure that it fits properly before putting it in place. Measure the width and height of the window opening taking measurements to the edges of the L-channels. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to find the size of the glass you need to order. It will be easier to install the glass when you are a little smaller than. This will also allow for seasonal expansion and contracting of the frame. Bring your measurements to an hardware store or a home center and let them cut a piece glass for you. You can also cut the glass yourself if happen to have a large sheet of glass in stock.
After the old pane glass has been removed, clean the window sash grooves, and remove any metal glazing points which held the previous pane in place. This can be done with a scraper that is a type of pull, or a chipper. If the grooves are stuffed full of hardened putty, slowly soften it by using a heating gun. Be sure to cover windows and molding with aluminum foil to protect them from heat.
replace window with french doors can also use an exterior primer to stop the putty from absorbing the natural oils. It is also recommended to clean the sash to remove any dirt and dust from the grooves.
Press a small amount into the rabbets where the glass will be placed. At this stage, it's not about neatness. Put the new pane into the rabbets, then move it around and apply consistent pressure with your fingers to ensure that it's placed in the right place.
If there are any holes in the frame of wood around the glass, fill them with silicone caulk prior installing the new glass. If the frame has other fastening mechanisms such as L channels, make use of an hammer and pull them out of the sash grooves. Take out any shards of wood that might have escaped during the removal of the frame. Then, apply a layer of clear silicone caulk over the bottom edge of the frame, where it joins the floor to keep pests and water out of the house.