Useful Tips for Replacing Glass Panes in Doors
Posted on: 26 May 2015
Replacing glass panes in doors is slightly different from replacing windowpanes. This is because panes in doors are installed differently from panes in windows so different tactics are needed to perform those two tasks. This article discusses some useful tips that you should implement when replacing glass panes on your front door.
Always Remove the Door First
It is very risky to try to replace glass panes in a door when that door is still in place. This is because the glass is held in place by molding so it is very easy for the new pane to drop and break if the door is not on the ground. You should therefore remove the door from its hinges so that you place it on a horizontal surface. This will enable you to replace the glass safely with no risk of that glass breaking.
Never Use a Hammer During this Replacement Project
Some people attempt to use a hammer to drive the nails into the molding holding the glass. This approach is almost guaranteed to result in damage to the glass since the force from the hammer spreads to the glass upon impact. The better thing to do is to use a nail gun since its force is channeled into the nail only. Using this approach will greatly reduce the chance of the replacement glass breaking even before you put up the door.
Always Order a Smaller Pane
Glass expands and contracts as temperature changes during the day. It is for this reason that replacement glass should never fit exactly into the space available since any expansion of that glass will cause it to break. If the old glass is still intact, use its dimensions to know the length and width of the replacement glass you should buy. If the old pane was broken, measure the length and width of the frame into which the pane will sit.
As you order replacement glass, remove about an eighth of an inch from the length and width so that the glass can safely expand or contract. Another way to know how much expansion space to leave is to consider the width of the molding that holds the glass in place; reduce the width and length of the new glass by about half the width of that molding.
The tips above will help you to have a trouble-free glass replacement project on your front door. Remember to wear protective goggles as you work since a piece of flying glass can do untold damage to your eyes if you do not take precautions. For more tips or assistance, consult resources like Lock Tight Glass & Shutter Service.
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