17 Signs You Are Working With French Door Window Replacement
French Door Window Replacement
French doors are a stunning design element to homes and provide an amazing view. French doors are also a popular choice to improve energy efficiency.
If one or more of your French door windows are broken it could be time to replace them. Replacing the glass on your french door is a low-cost DIY project.
Replacement Panes
French doors provide an elegant, timeless appearance to homes. French doors are usually covered in glass to let views and sunlight flood into the home, and also brighten the interiors. However, the panes with glazed glass can also pose security risks when they break or crack. It is not necessary to purchase the entire door to replace a broken or cracking window pane. All you need is just a few tools, some elbow grease, and a basic understanding of how glass operates.
Replacement panes for french door windows are available in a variety of styles and materials. They can be clear or colored to fit an aesthetic or style, or they can be made of security glass to guard against impact. They can be etched or cut to create privacy for the window or to create an aesthetic element. They can also be insulated with low-E films or the use of argon gas to increase energy efficiency and decrease the glare and ultraviolet radiation.
To replace a broken window pane, remove the broken glass first from the frame. Wear gloves and goggles in order to protect yourself from injuries. After the old glass is removed, the frame must be cleaned to ensure there's no dust or debris left behind. It's a good idea also scrape the edges of the frame and pull out any glazing points to clean up the area.
After the frame is cleaned, the new glass can be inserted into place and secured. It is essential that the glass is aligned exactly to the frame to prevent leaks, misalignment, and other problems. The glass will be held in place with double-sided tape or caulk. After the putty has dried it can be coated or painted to finish the job.
If your French doors consist of dual-pane windows and seals, the seals between them can occasionally fail and allow moisture to get into the space and create a hazy appearance or loss of insulation. This problem is usually caused by age and can be fixed by hiring a professional to replace or repair the seals of the current insulated-glass units (IGUs). It is possible to replace a window pane on a French door with a new insulated unit, if you have the proper measurements.
Frames
The frame is the thing that holds the glass and also provides support to the door as it swings open and closed. The frames available for french doors can be metal, wood composite or vinyl. They are able to be stained or painted. The wood frames are often stained and then finished with a clear top coat to protect them from the elements. The other frames can be left as natural or painted in a color of your choice. Many of our customers opt to keep their existing frames and only replace the broken glass. This gives your home a fresh appearance for a fraction of the cost of replacing the entire door system.
It is recommended that if you decide to stain your doors, you do it in an area with adequate ventilation and follow the warnings, precautions and guidelines of the paint company. First lightly sand the surfaces to be stained. Clean the surfaces with mild detergent and allow to dry. Once the surfaces have dried they can be coated with an opaque acrylic base coat. Allow each coat to fully dry between coats. Finally a clear top coat is applied following the guidelines of the paint manufacturer.
To ensure safety and performance, it is crucial to select the correct glass for your French doors. The glass must be tempering, which is a lot safer than regular glass that is annealed in the event of a breakage. Tempered glass is also better in regulating heat, reducing the appearance of glare, and also preventing condensation between the layers of glass.
Glass inserts for your French doors are available as a solid piece of glass that completely covers the door (1 light), or with an underlying grid known as a divided-lite. Divided lites are an iconic design that oozes class and blends with various architectural styles.
When the glass in your French doors breaks it is crucial to have a replacement that is exactly the same thickness as the original. This will ensure that the door is operating properly and a tight seal. Insulated window glass can be as thick as 3/4". However, decorative "triple-glazed" glass (two pieces of clear glass with an ornamental piece in the middle typically with a metal caming) can be as thick as 1/2". When replacing a window it is important to get the proper thickness of glass. Windows that are too thin may not be sealed properly, or they may be difficult to open.
Hardware
Some French doors feature glass that cover the entire door (1 lite) or have a top pane and a regular pane at the bottom (1/2 lite). If the glass of the window is broken and needs to be replaced.
There are several things to consider when replacing the French-door window. First, determine the type and size of glass you need. Safety glass is a good choice to shield against intruders, reduce glare as well in reducing UV (ultraviolet). It is also more durable than regular glass that is annealed and won't break into sharp, sharp pieces.
The second thing to consider is the hardware that will be employed. It is crucial to select the correct hardware to complement the style of the window and door. It should be easy to operate and designed to stand up to years of usage.
Once the replacement glass has been put in place, a few finishing touches will need to be made. Generally, the trim around the glass will have to be removed and the nails cut. repair french doors is best done by hand or with a hacksaw. Then the trim can be re-attached, and the nail holes plugged with caulking or putty.
Installation
French door windows provide a natural connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. If they are fitted with a single pane glass or a multi-pane design they add style and elegance to any home. In some cases they may require replacement or repair to function properly. It can be a challenging project for homeowners to replace French doors and windows, but with careful planning it's possible. The most effective results can be achieved by selecting the best products and following the correct steps.
Before beginning the replacement the window, it is crucial to clear the area around the window. It is also a good idea to lay the protective coverings down to prevent the destruction of walls and floors. After the area is cleared take out any hardware and glazing points from the frame. Remove the sash 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 all remaining debris.
Add insulation after the window is installed to increase the efficiency of your home and increase comfort. This is particularly important if your old windows were damp between the panes. This moisture can cause the glass to become damaged and form an oily film within the window.
Fiberglass is the ideal insulation for these areas. It can be used to regulate both temperature and sound. It can be purchased at most hardware stores and is easy to install.
To install the insulation to be installed, cut a piece of insulation to size and then apply drywall tape to the seams. Next, mud all the seams. Let them dry, then sand the surface until it is smooth. Finally, paint the sash casing and exterior window trim to be in keeping with the rest of your home.
Replace the wooden interior stops on the sides and the bottom of the frame after the sash is closed. Nail them into place with 4d nails. Slide the sash to within 10 inches. of the window sill. With a screwdriver, you can engage the sash lifts by sliding it in the groove of the stop that separates it from the window and twisting slightly from vertical to horizontal.