Replacing French Door Glass
It is fairly simple to replace a broken glass pane inside a French door. It involves cleaning the pane of glass and removing molding or trim and then putting in the new window pane.
French doors have multiple glass panes that are separated by muntin bars. These are also called Mullions. They are available in a variety configurations and may include triple-pane glass in order to boost energy efficiency, decrease noise and reduce the glare.
How to replace a broken pane of glass
Wear rubber gloves and safety glasses before you begin to replace the glass. This will shield you from any broken glass fragments that may fall during the process. Also work in a garage or another open space and keep children out from the area. It is 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.
Start by scraping off any old glazing compound or caulking around the edges of the sash using a putty knife. Be careful not to damage the wood molding that holds the window in place, because you'll require it later to hold the new window.
If you're working with a steel-casement window the window could be held in place with 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 will work. If the putty is difficult to remove, you could make use of a heat gun to soften it. Keep the heat gun approximately an inch from the glass and move it around to distribute the heat. Double-up the aluminum foil and place it on the glass adjacent to it. This will stop them from breaking due to 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. Now you can install a new piece glass.
To cut a glass piece to size first, take measurements of the width and height of the existing opening. To purchase a new glass pane that will fit into the door frame, measure these measurements and subtract an eighth inch from each side. Many hardware stores will cut a piece glass for you if you provide the measurement.
Warm up a handful of putty and then roll it into a 3/4-inch rope. Place the putty along the edge of the exposed rabbet. Then, rest the blade of your knife at a 45-degree angle against the frame rabbet. To cut french door repairs repairmywindowsanddoors from the pane, move the knife in a smooth 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 in a French-style door is not just an eye-sore however, it could also be a safety risk. Replacing a glass pane in a French door is done in a couple of steps, and is generally less costly than replacing the entire door panel. The majority of homeowners can complete this task themselves, though professional assistance is available in the event that the project requires special skills or tools.
Begin by removing the broken sheet of glass, and cleaning up any cracked or shattered fragments from the frame. It is important to wear gloves and safety goggles to avoid getting shards of glass in your face or eyes. Then, clean the glass pane opening to get rid of any caulking or putty used to keep the old pane in place.
Next, you need remove any molding or trim that held the glass in place. It can be a challenge to get the molding out. This is why it's best to wear a protective suit, and to have someone assist you in the process of prying if you need help. Label the pieces that you're removing so that you can put them back in their original position.
The installation of the new glass is easy after the molding is removed. Find the measurements of the glass pane opening and then visit an establishment that sells glass to purchase a piece of glass to replace your French door. You should get the safety glass for your French door, because it will not shatter easily if it breaks again.
When you are ready to put your glass piece into the opening, be sure that it is aligned correctly. Apply a thin layer clear silicone caulk to the edges of the glass.
You can replace the molding after the caulk dries. If the original nails did not penetrate the molding, you can put in new wire nails to fill in the holes left behind by the previous ones. To avoid the nails cutting the molding, you must drill the holes prior to drilling them. A well-stocked hardware store has very thin bits that can be used to drill holes.
How to cut a New Pane Of Glass
Before you purchase a new pane of glass, double-check that the frame's spacing and the edges of the window are equal. If you see any gaps, you might have to adjust the spring clips or metal triangles that secure the glass in place. Also, you should ensure that the new pane you purchase is the right size for the opening. If it's too large it could cause leakage and other problems.
The first step is to prepare a work surface. Scrape the old compound off both sides of the frame using a putty blade reveal the bare 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 prevent the new glazing from absorbing moisture from the wood, thereby reducing its lifespan.
Once the frame is cleaned and prepared, you can knead some putty until it is soft and malleable. Apply a thin layer of it using the blade of putty to the inside corners of the rabbets to create a narrow bed against which the glass can rest. Repeat the process for the other edges of the rabbets.
After the putty is dry take any remaining metal glazing points that are stuck in the grooves of the sash. Before attempting to remove them, you should wear goggles that are safe to protect yourself from glass shattering. A heat gun on an low setting can help you to warm and loosen the metal, so that you can stretch it out of the frame with pliers.
Place the glass in place to test the fit. Adjust the glass as needed before securing it using spring clips or triangulars made of metal. Make sure the gap between the frame and the glass is even across all sides. Test the movement of the window sash to ensure the new pane will not interfere with the opening or closing. Consult a restoration specialist if you encounter any problems during the installation. They can assist you to fix and preserve your historic home.
Install the Pane of Glass
Test-fit the new glass pane to ensure it is snug before putting it in place. Find the width and the height of the window opening, measuring to the edges outside of the L-channels. Subtract 1/8 inch from each measurement to find the size of the glass you need to purchase. Slightly undersizing the pane will allow it to be installed more easily and provide room for seasonal expansion and contraction of the frame. You can bring your measurements to a hardware store or the home centre and they will cut a piece of glass for you. Alternatively, you can cut the glass yourself if happen to have a huge sheet of glass in stock.
Once the old pane of glass is removed, you should remove the window sash grooves, and remove any metal glazing points which held the previous pane in place. A paint scraper that is a pull type or a chisel will work to accomplish this task. If the grooves have an abundance of hardened putty in them you can soften it with a heat gun. Be sure to cover the surrounding windows and moldings with aluminum foil to shield them from heat.
Scrape and sand the rabbets where the glass is, and then brush an exterior primer over them to help prevent the putty from absorbing its natural oils and reducing its life. It is also recommended to clean the sash to remove any dirt and dust from the grooves.
Place a small amount of it into the rabbets where the glass will be placed. The appearance of the glass isn't crucial at this stage. Place the new pane in the rabbets. Then, move it around and apply a consistent pressure using your fingers to make sure that it's placed in the right place.
Fill any holes in the frame with silicone caulk. Then, you can install the new glass. If the frame is equipped with other mechanisms for fastening like L-channels for example, employ a hammer for prying them out from the sash grooves. Inspect the frame for glass fragments that might have broken during removal, and take them out of them before proceeding. To keep pests and water from entering the house Apply a clear silicone caulk on the bottom edge of frame where it meets floor.