Replace the Glass in a French Door Without Buying a New Door
French doors are a gorgeous addition to any home. Like every other door or window, they are prone to being damaged. It is, however, possible to repair the glass on the case of a French door without purchasing the door.
Double pane glass (also called dual pane or insulated) can provide energy efficiency, outside noise reduction, and more. Double pane glass seals may break or crack.
Installing a new pane glass
French doors are popular among homeowners who want to add a classic look to their homes, while still allowing for plenty of natural light. Unfortunately, these windows aren't impervious to breaks and accidents, and a broken glass pane can be a big inconvenience for anyone who appreciates the view or sunlight that these doors can provide. The good thing is that it doesn't need to be an expensive or difficult project to replace these panes of glass. In fact, with some basic tools and some construction experience, even novice DIYers can learn to replace lightweight window glass quickly and safely.
The first step to replace the French door pane is to get rid of the old one. Wear safety glasses and gloves and remove any broken pieces of glass. Once the damaged pane has been removed, you will be required to determine the opening of the window to ensure that a replacement piece can be purchased from a hardware or glass manufacturer. It is important to purchase a piece of glass that is slightly larger than the original pane to allow for the expansion and contraction of the glass as temperatures change.
The next step is to remove the window frame. You may have to remove some of the nails that hold the trim in place, or the glazing points. It is also essential that you clean the sash well so that the new window is fitted securely and smooth. You should be careful not to remove too much wood or old putty because this could cause the frame to break.
Installing the new window pane is a breeze once you have removed the sash. Before you do, though ensure that you measure the window opening and subtract 1/8th of an inch to allow for expansion when the frame gets hotter. This will help ensure a tight fit and possibly leaks in the future.
After you have put in the new glass and framed it, apply a small amount of caulk or putty on the frame to keep it in position. Once the caulk or putty has dried, you are able to paint the frame to match the rest of the. If you aren't sure about your ability to complete the job, you should hire an expert window repair service or glazier to avoid costly mistakes.
Take off the broken pane of glass
A broken glass pane in a French-style door can be more than just an eye-sore. It can also pose a safety risk. It's important to replace it as quickly as possible. In the event of a break, shards could fall and cause injuries. Many homeowners can fix the damaged pane using an easy DIY project. However, it is important to take precautions to ensure that you do not be injured.
Begin by wearing protective gloves and removing any broken pieces of glass from the frame. Place them in a bag of paper and sweep the frame to remove all debris. Tape the glass on both sides if it is cracked but not broken. This will prevent it from breaking as you remove it. Then you can use a small pry bar to cut off the trim pieces that are holding the window in place. These are called stops and are usually held by wire brad nails. Take the bottom stop off then move it up and around the frame.
After taking the trim off the door take a measurement of the frame's width and the height to determine the dimensions of the new glass. You can buy security glass at many stores for home improvement, which is thicker than normal windows and won't break easily if it does get hit or knocked against. Once you have the measurements, cut a piece of glass to fit in the frame. You may need to smooth the edges of the new glass down to shape it.
If your French doors have a classic grid or grille, you'll need to recreate the same design on the new pane. You can achieve this by adding decorative muntins on the glass's exterior or by putting functional bars between two panes, known as grilles between glass. authentically designed divided lites work best for historic renovations or when a replica of the product is required by the zoning authority.
French doors are gorgeous and a perfect addition to any home however, they come at an expensive price. If you're looking to bring the beauty of these doors into your house without the price tag call us to arrange a no-cost in-home consultation.
Cutting a new glass pane
A French door can be made more energy efficient by adding a third layer of glass or by replacing one that is broken. Triple-paned glass can reduce noise and increases comfort in homes that are exposed to extreme weather conditions, such as hurricanes. The addition of functional muntins between the two panes may make a classic french door more decorative. This creates a grid pattern or grille known as Simulated Dividing Lites (SDL). The bars can be located on either the inside or outside of the window, and can be placed in a variety of sizes and spacings for various styles.
It's not easy to replace a pane in a French door, but with patience, some basic tools and knowledge you can do it. The first step is to take the old glass from the frame. The new pane is then cut and inserted in the frame. The molding can then be replaced and the frame edges sealed by caulk.
It is crucial to measure your existing pane of glass and subtract 1/8". french door handle repairs potters-bar will allow for the expansion of the glass as it heats. This will determine the size of the new glass pane that needs to be ordered from the hardware store or glass manufacturer.
The glass can be cut to the size required and placed into the frame. If the new glass is low-e, it must be placed with the low-e coating facing the interior of the house. Reversing the pane's direction could negatively impact its performance.
Utilizing a putty blade, carefully cut the old trim or molding off the pane of glass without breaking it. Install the new trim and then apply some caulk around the edges. The window panes will then be painted to match the door frame.
Professionals can perform the job faster and more precisely. However, it is recommended to practice before attempting this project. If you're not sure you are, call a local business to fix the double paned glass on your french doors.
Installing a New Pane of Glass
Installing a safety glass pane of the same size is the easiest way to replace a French door window. If you'd like to achieve a more stylish look, a decorative windows company can create a custom piece of glass that will fit into the opening of the door frame.
Before installing a new window, ensure that it's the same size and color as the old one. If the color isn't correct, it will be very noticeable and may detract from the overall appearance of your home. Furthermore, if the glass is not fitted properly, it may break. To ensure your windows appear attractive, be sure the new pane is secured by putty or caulking that matches the frame of the window.
A typical French door can have anywhere from 12 to 16 glass panes. To add a style element to these doors, or windows, you can add decorative muntin bars within the individual glass panes. This can give the windows a classic grid or grille pattern which is often used in historic renovations when the accuracy of replication of products is crucial or is required by zoning laws.
To put in the glass pane, take care to remove the window sash from the frame. This is usually done by either removing the sash or by pinning it. Then, carefully remove any remaining glazing points, putty or other fasteners that are holding the old pane glass in place. Wear protective glasses or gloves in order to avoid cutting yourself by sharp edges or glass shattering.
After the window sash and glass pane are removed, clean any caulk or putty off the frame's interior to facilitate the replacement of the glass pane. Then, measure the size of the window opening. Then, subtract 1/8 inch from the width and height to ensure that the glass replacement is cut in the correct way. Ask the glass company in your area for assistance in figuring out how to measure a window correctly.
If you are familiar with DIY and construction projects, then replacing a double-pane glass on your French door should be a fairly simple task. If, however, you're not usually a handy DIY-er, it's safer and more cost-effective to have a professional handle the job for you. A window company can be able to swiftly and efficiently repair or replace a broken French-door pane of glass.