French Door Window Replacement
French doors add a beautiful design element to homes and provide an amazing view. They're also a popular choice for improving efficiency in energy use.
If one or more of your French door windows are damaged, it may be time for replacement. Replacing the glass on your french door is an affordable DIY project.
Replacement Panes
French doors give an elegant, timeless appearance to homes. They are typically covered with glass panes that let sunlight and views from outside to flow through the home and lighten up interiors. Glass panes with a glaze pose an issue for security if they crack or break. Fortunately, replacing a broken or cracked window pane does not require the purchase of a whole door. It can be accomplished with just a few tools, elbow grease, and some basic understanding of how to work with glass.
French door replacement panes are offered in many styles and materials. They can be clear or colored to fit the style of your home, or they can be made of safety glass to protect against impact. They can be etched or patterned to add privacy to the window or to create a design element. They can also be insulated with low-E films, or even the use of argon gas to increase efficiency in energy use and reduce glare and ultraviolet radiation.
The first step in replacing a window pane is to remove the broken glass from the frame. Wear gloves and goggles to protect yourself from injury. After getting rid of the old glass the frame must be cleaned to get rid of dust or debris. To clean the area it's a good idea to scrape the edges of the frames, and remove any glazing points.
The new glass can then be inserted and secured into the frame once it has been cleaned. It's important that the glass is matched exactly to the existing frame to avoid leaks, misalignment or other problems. The new glass is usually fixed with double-sided tape or caulk. After the putty has dried and is painted, it can be sprayed or covered with trim to complete the job.
The seals on the seals on your French doors can deteriorate over time, allowing moisture to seep in and cause an unnatural appearance or loss of insulation. This problem is often caused by aging and can be solved by getting a professional repair service or replace the seals on existing insulated glass units (IGUs). It is possible to replace a window pane on the French door with a brand new IGU, if you have the right measurements for the new piece of glass.
Frames
The frame is used to hold the glass and supports the door when it swings up and down. The frames for french doors could be wood, metal composite, or vinyl. They are able to be painted or stained. The wood frames are often stained and then finished with a clear top coat to shield them from the elements. The other frame materials can be left unfinished or painted a color that you prefer. A lot of our customers choose to keep their frames as is and replace the damaged glass. This can give your home a fresh appearance for a fraction of the cost of replacing the entire door system.
It is advised that if you wish to stain the doors, you do it in an area with good ventilation and follow the precautions, warnings and guidelines of the paint company. Begin by lightly sanding the surfaces to be stained. Clean the surfaces with an mild detergent mix and allow to dry. Once the surfaces have dried they can be sprayed with an opaque acrylic base coat. Allow each coat to fully dry between coats. A clear top coat is applied following the instructions of the paint maker.
To ensure safety and performance, it is important to choose the correct glass for your French doors. Glass must be tempering, which is a lot safer than regular annealed glass in the event of a breakage. Tempered glass also is more effective in controlling the heat and reducing glare within your home, and is much less likely to develop condensation between the two layers of glass.
The glass inserts that you can use for your French doors are available as a single piece of glass that covers the entire door (1 lite), or with an underlying grid that is referred to as a divided-lite. Divided lites have a classic design that is elegant and works well with a variety of architectural styles.
If the glass in your French doors breaks it is important to have a replacement that is exactly the same thickness as the original. This will ensure that the door is operating properly and a secure seal. Insulated window glass is typically 1/2" thick, however decorative "triple glass" glass (two clear pieces that have a decorative third piece between, usually with a metal caming embedded) can be as thick as 3/4" thick. It is essential to choose the correct glass thickness when you are looking for an upgrade as windows that are too thin may not seal properly or be difficult to open.
Hardware
Certain French doors are composed of glass that covers the entire door (1 lite), while others have a standard pane on the bottom and an upper-only glass. In these cases, if the glass on the door is damaged, it will need to be replaced.
There are many things to consider when replacing a French-door window. First, determine what kind and size of glass you need. Safety glass is a good choice to protect against intruders and reduce glare, aswell as control UV (ultraviolet). It is more robust than regular annealed glass and won't shatter into sharp jagged pieces.
french doors repair choose to use is the next thing to think about. It is essential to choose the right hardware to match the style of the door and window. It should be easy to use and built to last for years of use.
After the glass replacement has been put in place, a few finishing touches must be done. The trim around the glass needs to be removed and the nails cut. This can be done by hand or using a hacksaw. The trim can then be reattached, and nailholes filled with caulking.
Installation
French door windows provide a natural connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. These windows, regardless of whether they are single or multi-paned are a great way to add style and elegance to any house. In some cases they may require replacement or repair in order to function as intended. Replacing French windows and doors can be a difficult project for homeowners, but it's achievable with careful planning. The most effective results can be achieved by selecting the appropriate products and following the right steps.
Prior to starting the replacement process, it is important to clear the area around the window. It is also a good idea to cover the walls and floor with a protective covering. After the area is cleared, take out all hardware and glazing points. Take the sash off using the help of a utility knife and a pry-bar. Once the old window has been removed clean and sweep the area to eliminate any remaining debris.
After the new window is in place, add insulation to help in energy efficiency and comfort. This is especially important if your old windows were double-pane and suffered from moisture in between the panes. This moisture can cause the glass to be damaged and create a milky film inside the window.
The most effective type of insulation for these areas is fiberglass. It can be positioned between the framing of the short wall and will aid in the control of temperature and sound. It is available at the majority of hardware stores and is very easy to install.
To install the insulation you need to cut a piece to fit and apply drywall tape to the seams. Then, mud all of the seams. Allow them to dry, then sand the surface until it's smooth. Paint the exterior window trim and the sash casing to match your home.
Replace the wooden stoppers on the sides and the bottom of the frame after the sash has been closed. Fix them with a 4d nail. Slide the sash until it is within 10 inches. of the window sill. Make use of the sash lifts with a screwdriver by sliding it into the groove of the stopper and then bending it slightly from vertical to horizontal.