In order for you to replace door windows due to its glass being broken or to change it with a decorative glass, you have to be very careful not to break or drop the other parts of the door windows especially the glasses which are still in good condition. The most tedious and time consuming is the part where you need to remove the inner frame retainers from the window frame itself. Below are some of the steps that you have to do in order for you to replace a door window.
What you need:
- Leather work gloves
- Step ladder
- An assistant
- Phillips-head screwdriver
- Small flathead screwdriver
- Tape measure
- Replacement glass
- Rubber mallet
- Utility knife
- Putty knife
- Hacksaw
- Glass cutting tool
Method:
- First of all, you have to remove the interior trim that holds the glass which you can use a utility knife by running it under the window\’s curved edge to find a small piece of trim. You can start prying the trim up with a putty knife and then use a hacksaw to enable you to cut through any nails that holds the trim in place.
- The next step is to measure the window opening and the interior of the window area by using a folding or flexible ruler. From that measurement, you have to subtract ¼-inch from its width and ¼-inch from its height to have some space for any adjustments if it is required. You have to also ensure that the window trim is wide enough for covering any gaps or blemishes once you returned it to its place in the window right after replacing the glass that you have installed.
- The replacement glass can be obtained by cutting a piece according to its size from a larger piece of glass (this is for replacing a plain, clear glass). For a standard size window, you can use or purchase pre-cut glass according to the size of your window from your local hardware stores. If you are cutting the glass by yourself, you need to get a sheet of glass and then, place it on top of a particleboard. Using the measurement that you already have and score the glass using a glass cutting tool. Next, in order to get a straight line, you can use a straight edge along with rubber backing.
- After you have finished the process of removing the glass, you need to clean away all the debris and dust. You can brush the frame until it is clean and then wipe it by using a damp cloth ensuring that the glass goes neatly into the setting. Then, place a small bead of latex caulk around the window frame before placing the glass into the setting of the window.
- Once the piece of glass has been installed, you need to redo the trim that holds the glass by using a small finishing nails. If you do not want the trim pieces to split, use a hammer and make the nails end slightly blunt before you start hammering them in. Be extra careful when you do your hammering and avoid hitting the glass. Nail punch can also be used for putting the head of the finishing nail below the trim\’s surface.
- Finally, you have to run caulk along the outside of the seam of the window trim and then you need to fill the nail holes by using putty and painting the affected areas with the extra paint that you have.
Additional Reading:
http://www.ehow.com/how_5911328_replace-dodge-door-window-glass.html
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/door-window-replacement-made-easy
http://www.ehow.co.uk/how_5895913_replace-garage-door-window.html
Image Credit:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aztecwest/3255909766/in/set-72157603692080703/
