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Replacing French Door Glass

Replacing a broken piece of glass on a French door is a simple DIY project. It involves cleaning the pane of glass and removing molding or trim, and putting in an entirely new window pane.

French doors are made of multiple glass panes, which are separated by muntin bars. They are also known as mullions. They come in a wide range of configurations and are able to be triple-paned to cut down the sound and control glare.

How to Replace a Broken Pane of Glass

Wear rubber gloves and safety goggles prior to replacing the glass. This will protect you from any broken glass fragments that might fall during the process. Work in a space that is open such as a garage and keep children away. It is best to remove the window frame from the sill to allow better access and maneuverability However, you can replace a pane without taking the entire window out of the frame.

Begin by scraping away any old glazing compound or caulking around the edges of the sash with a putty knife. 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're working with a steel-casement windows, the window may be secured with glazing points made of metal. You'll need to take them off, as well as the old putty, before you can remove the pane out of the frame. A paint scraper or chisel could work. If the putty is hard to get rid of, you can make use of a heat gun to soften it. Place the heat gun one inch away from the glass, then move it forwards and backwards to spread the warmth. Put doubled sheets of aluminum foil on the other panes to prevent them from cracking due to the heat.


After removing the old glass, take a damp cloth to wipe the inside of the window sash to remove any dust or dirt. Then french door repairs bishops-stortford RepairMyWindowsAndDoors can install a new pane of glass.

Take measurements of the width and height to determine the dimension of the glass. Take these measurements and subtract 1/8 inch from each side to create a new piece that is able to fit into the door frame. Many hardware stores will cut a piece of glass for you if you provide the measurement.

Putty that is warm in your hands and roll it into a rope about 3/4 inch thick. Position the putty against one edge of the exposed rabbet and place your putty knife's blade at a 45-degree angle against the frame's rabbet. To cut a piece of the pane, pull the knife in a straight and straight line across the glass's edge. Repeat the process with the remaining edges of the glass and then scrape off the excess putty.

Take off the broken Pane

A broken pane in a French-style door is not just an eye-sore, but it can also pose a security risk. Replacing a glass pane in a French door is done in a couple of steps and is usually much less costly than replacing the entire door panel. The majority of homeowners can complete this work themselves, however professional assistance is available if the project requires specialized skills or tools.

Begin by removing the broken pane of glass, and clean any cracked or shattered fragments from the frame. Wear safety glasses and gloves to keep glass shards from entering your eyes or onto your face. Clean the glass pane opening to remove any residual putty or caulking that was used to hold the old pane in place.

The next step is remove any trim or molding that held the pane of glass in place. This can be tricky because it may require some prying to get the molding out. This is why it's a good idea to wear your protective gear, and to have someone assist you in the process of prying if you need help. It is also recommended to mark the pieces you're taking off, so you can put them back at the appropriate time.

The installation of the new glass is simple after the molding has been removed. Find the measurements of the opening in the glass pane, and then go to an online glass shop to purchase a piece of glass to replace your French door. You should get the safety glass for your French door, as it won't break easily in the event of a break.

When you are ready to put your glass piece into the opening, be sure that it is aligned properly. Apply a thin layer clear silicone caulk to the edge of the glass.

You can change the molding once the caulk has dried. If the original nails did not penetrate the molding, you can hammer new wire nails into the holes left by the old nails. By drilling the holes prior to drilling, you can stop the nails from splitting through the molding. You can drill the holes using very thin bits from the hardware store that is well stocked.

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. You may have to adjust spring clips or triangulars to hold it in place if there are gaps. You should also make sure that the new pane is the correct size for the opening. If it's too large, you may experience leaks or other issues.

The first step is preparing a work surface. Utilizing a putty blade, scrape away the old compound on both sides of the frame to expose the wood. If the rabbets have become too rough to smooth with a putty knife gently sand them and then apply an exterior primer. This will stop the new glaze from absorption of moisture from the wood and reduce its lifespan.

After the frame is clean and ready, warm a handful of putty by kneading until it's soft and malleable. Utilize the putty knife to apply a thin layer of it to the inside corners of the rabbets, forming a narrow bed for the glass to rest on. Repeat the process for the remaining exposed edges.

Remove any remaining metal points that remain in the grooves of the sash after the putty has dried. Wear safety goggles before attempting to remove the points in order to ensure that you are safe from shards of glass. A heat gun set to the lowest setting will help you warm and loosen the steel to allow you to bend it out of the frame with pliers.

When the frame and glass are ready, test-fit it by sliding it into its place. Make any adjustments needed before attaching it to the frame using spring clips or steel triangles. Check that the gap between the frame and glass is uniform on all sides. Test the movement of the window sash and make sure that the new glass does not hinder the opening or closing. If you find any problems with the installation, consult a professional specializing in restoration, who can help you restore and maintain your historic home.

Install the Pane of Glass

Test-fit the glass pane to ensure that it fits properly 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. It will be easier to install the pane if you slightly undersize it. This will also allow for seasonal expansion and contracting of the wood frame. Bring your measurements to a hardware store or a home center and let them cut a piece of glass for you. Alternately, you can cut the glass yourself if you happen to have a large sheet of stock glass.

After the old pane of glass is removed, 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 is ideal to accomplish this job. If the grooves are stuffed full of hardened putty, gradually soften it with a heat gun. Cover the moldings and windows with aluminum foil to protect them from heat.

It is also possible to use an exterior primer to prevent the putty from absorbing the natural oils. It is also recommended to clean the grooves in the sash.

Press a small amount into the rabbets, in which the glass will be placed. At this point, cleanliness is not a factor. Press the new pane in the rabbets and then move it using your fingers.

Fill any holes around the glass in the frame with silicone caulk. Then, you can install the new glass. If the frame has any other fixing mechanisms, such as L channels, use a hammer and pry them from the sash grooves. Inspect the frame for glass shards that might have broken during removal, and then remove them before proceeding. Then, apply a layer of clear silicone caulk on the bottom edge of the frame where it connects to the floor to keep water and pests out of the home.

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