Replacing French Door Glass

It is fairly simple to replace a broken glass pane on the French Door. It involves cleaning the glass pane and removing molding or trim and installing the new window pane.

upvc french door lock replacement doors have multiple glass panes separated by muntin bars for functional purposes also known as mullions. They come in a wide 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

Wear rubber gloves and safety glasses prior to replacing the glass. This will shield you from any broken glass fragments that may fall during the process. Also work in a garage or an open space and keep children out from the area. To make it easier to access the area, it's best to remove the window frame from its ledge. However you can still replace one pane of glass without having to remove the entire frame.

With a putty knife, scrape off any old caulking or glazing compound that is around the edge of the window sash. You don't want damage to the wood molding that holds the window in place. You will need it to hold the new pane.

If you are working with a steel casement windows, it may be held in position by the metal glazing points. You'll need to take them off as well as the old putty, before you can take the pane out of the frame. Paint scraper or chisel can work. If the putty is hard to remove, you could make use of a heat gun to soften it. Keep the heat gun approximately 1 inch away from the glass and move it around to distribute the heat. Put doubled sheets of aluminum foil on the other panes to stop them from cracking because of the heat.

After the old glass has been removed, clean the inside of the window sash using a damp cloth to clean off any dust or dirt. Now you can install the new glass.

Take measurements of the width and height to determine the dimensions of the glass. To order a new glass pane that fits into the door frame, measure these measurements and subtract an eighth inch from each side. 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 before rolling it into a rope about 3/4 inch thick. Place the putty on one edge of the exposed rabbet, and rest the blade of your putty knife at a 45-degree angle with the frame's rabbet. Pull the knife along the edge of the glass in a straight, smooth line to cut a portion of the pane. Repeat with the remaining edges of the glass and then scrape away the excess putty.

Remove the Broken Pane

A broken pane of glass in the frame of a french door glass replacement inserts door isn't just an eye ailment it's a risk to your safety. Replacing a glass pane in a French door can be accomplished in a few simple steps and is usually much predrilled to prevent the nails from splitting through the molding. A well-stocked hardware store stocks tiny bits that can be used to drill the holes.

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 see any gaps, you may have to adjust the spring clips or metal triangles that hold the glass in place. Also, you must ensure that the new pane is a appropriate size for the opening; if it's too large, you could experience leakage or other problems when it is installed.

The first step is to make an area for work. With a putty knife scrape away the old compound on both sides of the frame to expose the wood. If the rabbets are too rough for you to smooth with a putty knife, lightly sand them and then apply an exterior primer. This will stop the new glaze from absorbing moisture from wood, shortening its lifespan.

After the frame has been cleaned and prepared, knead a handfull of putty until it's soft and malleable. Apply a thin layer with the putty blade to the inside corners of the rabbets to create a bed against which the glass can rest. Repeat the process for the other edges of the rabbets.

Remove any remaining metal points that remain in the grooves of the sash after the putty has dried. Before you attempt to remove them, put on a pair of safety goggles to shield yourself from glass shards. The low setting of heat guns can be used to gently warm the metal and loosen it up so that it is possible to remove it using pliers.

After the glass and frame are set, test the frame by sliding it into its place. Make any necessary adjustments prior to securing it in place with spring clips or steel triangles. Make sure the gap between the frame and the glass is even across all sides. Check the movement of the window sash to make sure the new pane does not interfere with the closing or opening. Contact a restoration expert in case you have any issues during the installation. They can assist you to fix and preserve your historic home.

Install the Pane of Glass

Test-fit the new glass to ensure it fits snugly before putting it up. Measure the height and width of the window opening by measuring it to the outside edge of the L channels. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to determine the size of the glass you need to purchase. A little undersizing of 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 the home centre and they cut the glass for you. You can cut the glass yourself, if you have a large sheet on hand.

After the old pane glass is removed, clean the window sash grooves, and remove any glazing points made of steel that held the old pane in place. A pull-type paint scraper or a chisel can be used to accomplish this task. If the grooves are filled of hardened putty, slowly soften it by using a heating gun. Cover surrounding windows and moldings with aluminum foil in order to keep them safe from heat.

You can also apply an exterior primer to prevent the putty from absorbing its natural oils. You should also clean the sash to get rid of any dirt and dust from the grooves.

Put a small amount of the mixture into the rabbets, where the glass will be placed. At this stage, cleanliness is not a factor. Make sure to press the new pane into the rabbets, and then move it with 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 pane. If the frame is equipped with other mechanisms for fastening like L-channels, you can make use of a hammer to pull them out of the sash grooves. Check the frame for shards of glass that may have shattered during removal, and take them out of them before continuing. Then, apply a layer of clear silicone caulk over the bottom of the frame where it meets the floor to keep pests and water out of your home.