French Door Window Replacement
French doors are an attractive design element for homes. They also offer a great view. They're also a popular choice for improving energy efficiency.
If one or more of your French door windows are broken, it may be time to replace it. Replacing french door window glass is a low-cost DIY project.
Replacement Panes
French doors give an elegant, timeless appearance to homes. French doors are usually covered in glass to let sunlight and views from outside flood into the home, and brighten interiors. The glass panes that are glazed pose an issue for security if they break or crack. It's not necessary to buy the entire door to repair a broken or cracking window pane. All you need are a few simple tools and elbow grease and a basic understanding of how glass operates.
Replacement panes for french door windows are available in various styles and materials. They can be clear or colored to match the style of your home or constructed from safety glass to shield against impacts. They can also be etched or patterned to add the privacy or design element to windows. They can also be insulated using low-E films, or even gasses of argon to improve energy efficiency and decrease the glare and ultraviolet radiation.
The first step to replace windows is to remove the broken glass from the frame. Wear gloves and goggles during this procedure to avoid injuries. After the old glass has been removed, the frame needs to be cleaned to ensure there's no dust or debris left behind. To clean the frame, it's a great idea to scrape the edges of the frames and remove any glazing points.
Once the frame is clean and dry, the new glass can be placed in the frame and secured. To avoid misalignment, leaks, and other issues, it's crucial that the glass is matched exactly to your frame. The glass will be fixed with double-sided tape or caulk. Once the putty is dry it is then painted or covered in trim to complete the task.
The seals that are placed between the seals on your French doors can become deteriorated over time, allowing moisture seep in and cause an unnatural appearance or loss of insulation. This is usually caused by aging and can be resolved by having a professional repair or replace the seals on existing glass units that are insulated (IGUs). It is possible to replace a single window pane on the French door with a new glass insulated unit, provided that you have the correct measurements for the new piece of glass.
Frames
The frame holds the glass and supports the door when it is able to swing up and down. The frames for french doors can be metal, wood composite or vinyl. They can be painted or stained. The wood frames are typically stained and then finished with a clear top coat to shield them from the elements. The other frames can be left unfinished or painted a color of your choice. Many of our customers choose to keep the frames they have and replace only the damaged panes of glass. This gives you a fresh, new look at a fraction the cost of replacing your entire door system.
french door lock repairs hertford is advised that if you wish to stain the doors, you do so in a space with good ventilation and follow the precautions, warnings, and recommendations of the paint's manufacturer. Sand the surfaces that will be stained lightly. Allow to dry after cleaning using a mild detergent mix. Once the surfaces have dried they can be coated in an opaque acrylic base coat. Allow each coat to completely dry between coats. A clear top coat must be applied according to the paint manufacturer's recommendation.
It is important to have the right glass for your french doors, for both safety and performance. Glass needs to be tempering, which is a lot safer than regular glass that is annealed in the event of a breakage. Tempered glass is also more effective in controlling heat, which means it reduces glare and preventing condensation between the layers of glass.
The glass inserts inside your French doors could be a solid piece that covers the whole door (1 lite) or they may feature a grid at the bottom, referred to as a divided lite. Divided lites have a classic design that is elegant and blends well with many architectural styles.
It is important to replace the glass in your French doors with a new one that is the exact same thickness as the old. This will ensure that the door is operating properly and a secure seal. Insulated glass windows are typically 1/2" thick but decorative "triple glass" glass (two clear pieces that have a third piece of decorative glass in between usually with metal caming inlaid) can be up to 3/4" thick. It is important to have the right thickness of glass when obtaining replacement windows because windows that are not thick enough will not seal properly or be difficult to open.
Hardware
Certain French doors have glass that makes up the entire door (1 light) or have a top and regular pane on the bottom (1/2 lite). If the glass in the door is damaged, it will need to be replaced.
When replacing a French door window, there are a few things to consider. First, you must determine the type and size of glass you want. Safety glass can be used to guard against intruders and reduce glare as well as control UV (ultraviolet). It is more durable than regular annealed tempered glass and will not break into sharp, jagged pieces.
The other aspect to consider is the hardware to be used. It is crucial to choose the correct hardware that is compatible with the style of your door and window. It should be user-friendly and robust enough to last for years.
After the glass replacement is installed, a few finishing touches will need to be made. The trim around the glass will need to be removed and the nails cut. It is recommended to do this by hand or with a hacksaw. The trim can then be re-attached, and the nail holes filled with caulking or putty.
Installation
French door windows provide a natural connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. They can be installed with just one pane of glass or a multi-pane style they add style and elegance to any home. In certain instances they might require repair or replacement to function correctly. Replacing French doors and windows can be a challenging task for homeowners, but it is feasible with careful planning. Selecting the right products and following the right steps can lead to amazing results.
Before starting the replacement process, it's important to clear the space around the window. It is also a good idea to cover the floor and walls with a protective covering. Once the area is clear, remove any existing hardware and glazing points from the frame. Remove the sash using the help of a pry-bar or utility knife. Once the old window has been removed, clean and sweep the area to remove all leftovers.
Install insulation after the window is installed to increase energy efficiency and comfort. This is particularly important if the old windows had moisture between the panes. The moisture can cause damage to the glass and cause a milky film appearing on the interior of the window.
Fiberglass is the ideal insulation for these areas. It can be put between the framing on the shorter wall, and can help with both temperature and sound control. It is readily available at many hardware stores and is easy to install.
Installing insulation is as easy as cutting the piece of insulation to the appropriate size and then putting the drywall tape along the seams. Next, mud all the seams. Allow them to dry and then sand the surface until it's smooth. Then paint the sash casing and exterior window trim to be in keeping with the rest of your home.
After the sash has been closed and the sash is closed, replace the parting stop on the top and the wood interior stops on the sides and bottom of the frame. Nail them in place with 4d nails. Slide the sash to within 10 inches. of the window sill. Utilizing a screwdriver, tighten the sash lifts by sliding it into the groove in the stop that separates it from the window and twisting slightly from horizontal to vertical.