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Replacing French Door Glass
It is fairly simple to replace a damaged glass pane in the French Door. Cleaning the glass by removing the molding and trim and then putting in a new pane of glass is all that's needed.
French doors are made of multiple glass panes, which are separated by muntin bars. They are also referred to as mullions. They are available in a variety configurations and can also include triple-pane glass to increase energy efficiency, reduce sound and control glare.
How to Replace a Broken Pane of Glass
Before you start the replacement process, wear rubber gloves and safety glasses to shield yourself from any shards of broken glass that could fall off during the replacement process. Work in an open area like garages and keep children away. To make it easier to access the area, it's best to remove your window frame from its ledge. However you can still replace the pane, but without removing the entire frame.
Begin by scraping off any old glazing compound or caulking around the edges of the sash with a putty knife. You don't want to damage the wood molding that holds the window in place. You will need it to hold the new window.
If you're working with a steel casement windows, it may be anchored by metal glazing points. These points, as well as the old putty, need to be removed before you can remove the window from the frame. A paint scraper or tool like a chisel will work however, if you find that the putty is too difficult to remove, gradually soften it with a heat gun. Keep the heat gun approximately one inch from the glass and move it back and forth to distribute the heat. Double-up the aluminum foil, then place it on the adjacent panes. This will stop them from breaking due to heat.
After removing the old glass, apply a damp cloth to wipe the inside of the window sash in order to remove any dirt or dust. Now you can install a new glass pane.
To cut a glass piece to size, first determine the width and the height of the existing opening. 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 of glass for you if you supply the measurement.
Warm a handful 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 then rest the blade of your putty tool at a 45-degree angle to the frame's rabbet. To cut a portion of the pane, push the knife in a straight and straight line along the glass's edge. Repeat with the remaining edges of the glass, and then scrape off the excess putty.
Take off the broken Pane
A broken glass pane in a French door isn't just an eye sore it's also a danger to safety. It's easy to replace a glass pane on a French-style door and it's usually cheaper than replacing the whole door panel. Most homeowners can handle this work themselves, however professional assistance is available if the project requires specialized skills or tools.
Begin by removing the broken piece of glass and taking care to clean any cracked or shattered fragments from the frame. Wear safety glasses and gloves to prevent glass shards from entering your eyes or face. Then, clean out the glass opening to remove any caulking or putty used to hold the previous pane in place.
The next step is to remove any molding or trim that holds the glass in place. This can be tricky because it may require some prying to break the molding loose. Wearing protective gear and having someone assist you with the prying is a good idea. It is also recommended to identify the pieces you're taking off, so you can return them to their place at the appropriate time.
The installation of the new glass is easy after the molding is removed. Take measurements of the opening for the glass pane, and then go to an establishment that sells glass to purchase a piece of glass to replace your French door. It's a good idea get a piece of safety glass, since it won't break as easily should your French doors break again.
When you are ready to place your new piece of glass into the opening, be sure that it is aligned properly. Then, apply a thin bead of clear silicone caulk over the glass's edge.
You can replace the molding after the caulk dries. If the nails that were used originally didn't penetrate the molding you can hammer in new wire nails to fill in the holes left behind by the old ones. The holes should be predrilled to prevent the nails from splitting through the molding. A well-stocked hardware store carries tiny bits that you can use to drill the holes.
How to Cut a New Pane Of Glass
Before you purchase a new pane of glass, make sure the spacing around the frame and the edges of the window are even. If you find any gaps, you could need to adjust the spring clips or triangles that hold it to the frame. You also need to make sure that the new pane is a suitable size for your opening. If it's too large, you could face leakage or other issues when it is installed.
The first step is preparing the work surface. 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 using the putty knife, lightly sand them and then apply an exterior primer. This will prevent the new glaze from absorption of moisture from the wood, and will reduce its lifespan.
After the frame has been cleaned and ready then warm a small amount of putty by kneading until it's soft and malleable. Utilize the putty knife to apply a thin layer to the inside corner of the rabbets, creating an even bed for the glass to rest against. Repeat the process for the other exposed edges.
Remove repair french doors www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk remaining metal points from the sash's grooves when the putty has dried. Wear safety goggles before attempting to remove the points in order to keep yourself safe from shards glass. Heating guns with low settings can be used to gently warm the metal, allowing it to loosen so that you can remove it by using pliers.
Once the glass and frame are in place, test it by sliding it into place. Make any necessary adjustments prior to securing it in place with spring clips or metal triangles. Check that the distance between the frame and glass is even and uniform across all sides. Also, examine the sash's movement to make sure that the new pane will not interfere with opening or closing the window. Contact a restoration expert in case you have any issues during the installation. They can assist you to repair and maintain your home's historic features.
Install the Pane of Glass
Before installing the new pane of glass, you should test-fit it to make sure it is snugly fitted. Take measurements of the width and height of the window opening measuring to the edges of the L-channels. Subtract 1/8 of an inch from each measurement to determine the size of glass you need. Slightly undersizing the pane will make it easier to install and will allow for seasonal expansion and contraction of the wood frame. You can bring your measurements to the hardware store or the home centre and they cut the glass for you. You can also cut the glass yourself in the event that you have a huge sheet on hand.
After removing the glass pane clean the window sash grooves. Take off any metal glazing points that held the old pane. This can be done with a pull-type paint scraper, or a Chisel. If the grooves contain an abundance of putty that is hardened you can soften it with a heat gun. Cover the moldings and windows with aluminum foil to keep them safe from heat.
It is also possible to use an exterior primer to keep the putty from absorbing its natural oils. It is also recommended to clean the sash in order to remove any dirt and dust from the grooves.
Knead a small amount of putty until it's warm and flexible, then press it into the rabbets where the glass will go. The appearance of the glass isn't crucial at this stage. Press the new pane into the rabbets, then wiggle it around and apply consistent pressure with your fingers to make sure it's properly seated.
Fill any holes in the frame with silicone caulk. Then, install the new glass. If the frame has any other fixing mechanisms, such as L channels, make use of the hammer to pry them from the sash grooves. Check the frame for glass shards that might have broken during removal, and remove them before continuing. Then, apply a layer of clear silicone caulk over the bottom of the frame where it meets the floor to keep water and pests out of the home.