Replacing French Door Glass Replacing a damaged pane of glass in a French door is a simple DIY project. Cleaning the glass, removing trim and molding and then putting in a new pane is all that's needed. French doors are made of multiple glass panes separated by muntin bars for functional purposes, also known as mullions. They are available in a variety configurations and may include triple-pane glass to improve energy efficiency, decrease noise and reduce the glare. How to replace a broken Pane of Glass Before you start you begin, put on a pair of rubber gloves and safety glasses to protect yourself from any broken pieces of glass that might fall off during the replacement process. Also work in a garage or other open space, and keep children away from the area. It is best to remove the window frame from the sill to allow better accessibility and maneuverability, but you can also replace a pane without taking the entire window out of the frame. With a putty-blade, scrape off any caulking or glazing compound around the edges of the window sash. Be careful not to scratch 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 window made of steel, the window may be held in place with glazing points made of metal. These points, as well as the old putty, have to be removed prior to you can remove the window from the frame. A paint scraper or a tool like a chisel will work however if you discover that the putty is difficult to remove, gradually soften it using a heat gun. Place the heat gun one inch from the glass and move it backwards and forwards to spread the warmth. Double-up the aluminum foil and then place it on the panes that are next to it. This will stop them from breaking due to the heat. Once the old glass is removed, wipe down the inside of the window sash with a damp cloth to wash off any dirt or dust. It is now time to put in a new piece of glass. To cut a glass piece to size, first take measurements of the width and height of the existing opening. To purchase a glass pane that is sized to fit inside the door frame, take these measurements and subtract an eighth inch from each side. Many hardware stores can cut a piece for you if they have the measurements. Warm up a handful of putty, then roll it into a 3/4-inch rope. Place the putty on one side of the rabbet, and then rest the blade of your putty knife at a 45-degree angle with the frame's rabbet. Move the knife across the glass's edge in a smooth, straight line to cut a section of the pane. Repeat the process with the other edges of the pane. Then, scrape away the excess putty. Take the broken Pane A damaged pane of glass in a French-styled door is not only an eyesore however, it could also pose a security risk. Replacing a pane of glass in a French door is done in a couple of steps and is usually much less expensive than replacing the entire door panel. Most homeowners can perform this task by themselves, however professional assistance is available to those who require special tools or expertise. Begin by removing the broken sheet of glass, then clean any cracked or shattered fragments from the frame. It is important to wear gloves and goggles to avoid getting shards of glass in your face or eyes. Then, clean out the glass's opening to remove any caulking or putty used to keep the previous pane in place. The next step is to eliminate the molding or trim that is holding the glass in place. It could be difficult to pry the molding off. Wearing protective equipment and having a person help you in the process of prying is a good idea. Label the pieces you're removing so that you can put them back in their original positions. Once the molding is removed after which you can start installing the new glass pane. Find the measurements of the opening in the glass pane and then visit an online glass shop to purchase a glass to replace your French door. You should get the safety glass for your French door, because it will not break easily if it breaks again. When you are ready to install your new piece of glass into the opening, be sure it is aligned correctly. Apply a thin coating of clear silicone caulk to the edges of the glass. You can replace the molding after the caulk dries. If the original nails did not pull through the molding you can hammer in new wire nails to fill the holes left behind by the old ones. To avoid the nails splitting the molding, it is recommended to first drill the holes. You can make holes using very thin bits from the hardware store that is well stocked. Cut a New Pane of Glass Make sure you check the spacing between the frame of the window and the edges before you order a replacement pane. You may have to adjust spring clips or the metal triangulars to hold it in place if there are gaps. It is also important to ensure that your new pane is appropriate for the opening. If it's too big it could cause leaks and other issues. The first step is to prepare a work surface. Scrape the old compound off the frame's sides using a putty blade expose the wood. If the rabbets are too rough to smooth using the putty knife then lightly sand them, and brush on an exterior primer. This will stop the new glaze from absorbing moisture from the wood, thereby reducing its lifespan. After the frame is clean and ready to be used, warm a handful of putty by kneading it until it's soft and malleable. Utilize the putty knife to apply a thin layer of it to the inside of the rabbets. This creates a narrow bed for the glass to rest upon. Repeat the process for the other edges of the rabbets. After the putty is dry and the putty is removed, you can remove any remaining glazing points from the grooves in the sash. Before you attempt to remove them, put on goggles that are safe to protect yourself from glass fragments. Heat guns on low settings can be used to gently heat the metal and loosen it up so that it is possible to remove it with pliers. Slide https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/southend-french-door-repairs-near-me/ into place to test the fit. Make any necessary adjustments prior to securing it in place with spring clips or metal triangles. Make sure that the gap between the frame and glass is even on all sides. Examine the movement of the window sash to make sure the new pane does not interfere with the closing or opening. Consult a restoration specialist should you encounter any issues during the installation. They can help you fix and preserve your home's historic features. Install the Pane of Glass Test-fit the glass pane to ensure that it fits snugly before putting it in place. Find 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 find the size of glass you should order. By slightly undersizing the glass, you will allow it to be installed more easily and will allow for seasonal expansion and contraction of the wood frame. You can bring your measurements to the hardware store or home centre and they will cut a piece for you. Alternatively, you can cut the glass yourself if happen to have a large sheet of stock glass handy. After removing the glass pane and cleaning the window sash grooves. Take off any metal glazing points that held the previous pane. This can be done using an e-type paint scraper or a chisel. If the grooves are full of hardened putty, slowly soften it by using a heating gun. Be careful to cover surrounding windows and moldings with aluminum foil to shield them from heat. Scrape and sand the rabbets on which the glass is, and then brush an exterior primer over them to stop the putty from absorbing its natural oils and shortening its lifespan. Also, clean the grooves in the sash. Knead a tiny amount of putty until it is warm and flexible, then press it into the rabbets, where the glass will go. At this stage, neatness is not important. Place 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. If the frame is equipped with other fastening mechanisms, like L-channels, you can use a hammer to pry them out of the sash grooves. Take out any shards of wood that might have become loose during the removal of the frame. Finally, put a coat of clear silicone caulk on the bottom edge of the frame where it meets the floor to keep pests and water out of your home.