If you have a broken window in an interior French door, it should be fixed immediately. A broken glass panel in a French door isn't just unattractive, but it can also get dangerous especially with children playing in the area with bits of glass. Here are some tips on replacing a window in an interior French door.

Gather Supplies

For this project you will need:

  • protective gloves
  • safety glass for replacement
  • mineral oil
  • glass cutter
  • straight edge ruler
  • hammer
  • pliers
  • putty knife
  • nail punch
  • mini pry bar
  • duct tape
  • felt tip marker
  • one-inch brads
  • putty
  • caulk
  • glaze compound
  • glazing points
  • paint
  • 150-git sandpaper.

Remove Old Window

Wearing safety gloves, remove loose glass from the window frame, and discard the glass pieces in the paper bag. If the window panes are cracked, make an "x" on the glass pane with duct tape to keep glass from shattering everywhere when you remove it. Use the mini-pry bar to pull the stops from the top, middle, and sides of the glass. Stops are the trim pieces secured by wired brads.

If you notice brads still protruding after taking out the trim, pry them off with pliers instead of hitting them from behind with a hammer to avoid chipping the stop. Pry off the glazing points with pliers, pull out the glass, and discard it. Since it is hard to tell if you have removed all the glass bits, vacuum the area.

Install Replacement Glass

Get the height and width measurement of the window opening, and deduct 1/8 inch from each measurement. Place the safety glass on a flat, clean area transferring the measurements to the safety glass marking them with a marker.

Rub mineral oil on the glass cutter for a cleaner cut. Wearing the safety glasses and safety gloves, make the first cut with the straight edge ruler breaking the glass as you move along. Place glazing compound around the edges with a caulk gun, and set it in place pressing the glaze with a utility knife to secure the glass.

Hammer the brads in place with nails using the nail punch to sink the nail heads, and caulk the exterior edges of the trim. Cover the frame gaps and nail holes with putty, then sand the filler. After the filler dries, paint the stops in a color that matches the door.

A replacement window will restore your French door back to its original state without having to replace the whole door. If you don't trust your skill, contact a professional window or door installation company.

Share