Interior Door Glass Replacement: Simple Steps and Helpful Tips

Replacing broken glass in an interior door is simple and does not require special skills. It is important to prepare the necessary tools in advance, carefully remove the shards and carefully install the new glass.

Further we will tell you what materials you will need to replace the glass in the door and how you can order new glass.

Step 1: Preparing the necessary materials for the work

When organizing the working area in the room, special attention should be paid. It is recommended to remove excessive furniture and other items to create enough free space for convenient work with the door. It is also recommended to cover the floor with film or newspapers to avoid falling shards during the replacement of glass.

For more comfortable work, you can place two stools in the room. They will become useful during the process of replacing the glass in the door, providing a comfortable support.

You will need the following tools and materials for the replacement process:

• A tape measure or measuring tape and a thin metal ruler no longer than 20 cm. These tools will help you accurately measure the dimensions of the opening and the new glass.
• A roll of self-adhesive glass film. The width of the film should correspond to the size of the opening. It is necessary to adhere it to the glass and prevent splintering. Such film can be purchased in any building store, and in extreme cases, you can use a wide tape.
• A wooden wedge or a sheet of paper folded several times. You will need them to support the door when removing it.
• Crowbar. It can be useful when removing old glass or other materials associated with the door.
• Flat and Phillips screwdrivers. It is recommended to have multiple bits, as the size of door screws can vary. A screwdriver can be used instead of a Phillips screwdriver.
• Pliers. This tool will help you with a variety of door-related tasks.
• Transparent universal silicone sealant. It is necessary for sealing the glass after its installation, providing additional protection from moisture and air penetration.
• Tight gloves. They will protect your hands from cuts on sharp edges of glass.
• A broom and dustpan. They will be needed for cleaning and maintaining cleanliness in the working area.
• It is also worth noting that when replacing the glass in the door, you need to be careful and follow the appropriate instructions. In case of lack of experience or the necessary skills, it is recommended to contact a specialist who will be able to perform this task professionally and safely.

Additionally, when replacing the glass in your door, it is important to consider the type of glass you are using. There are several different glass options available, each with its own features and characteristics.

One common type of glass is regular window glass, which is commonly used in most doors. It is quite strong, but can be fragile and can break easily if struck hard or mishandled.

There is also reduced thermal conductivity glass, which is commonly used in doors to improve the energy efficiency of rooms. This glass contains special coatings or layers that help reduce heat loss through the door.

For a safer door glass replacement, it is recommended to use safety glasses and special work clothes that will prevent possible injuries and protect you from dust and glass shards.

Keep in mind that the glass replacement process can be demanding and requires that each step be followed carefully. When in doubt or unsure of your skills, it is always best to seek professional help to ensure safety and quality results.

Step 2: Remove the door from its hinges

The following process is best done by two people, as this will make the task easier and reduce the risk of damage. If you are able to, it is recommended that you ask a helper to hold the door while you perform the removal procedure.

Before you start working on removing the door, it is recommended to cover both sides of the glass with tape to prevent splinters from scattering.

Next, you should open the door to an angle of 90 degrees or more. On the door handle side, it is recommended to place a wedge or a folded piece of paper under the bottom of the door to eliminate the possibility of free space to the floor.

Before proceeding to the removal of the door, it is necessary to determine the type of hinges with which it is fixed - detachable or universal.

Let's consider the process of removing the door depending on the type of hinges:

• If your door has split hinges, place a crowbar under the bottom of the door, closer to the inside edge. Using the crowbar as a lever, push on it until the hinges come apart. After that, the door can be removed.
• In case your door has universal hinges, you need to carefully unscrew the screws with which they are fixed. For this task, it is recommended to use a Phillips screwdriver or a screwdriver. Start from the upper hinge, gradually unscrewing the screws.

Once the door has been successfully removed, it is recommended that you carefully place the door on stools or other suitable support.

Apart from the above steps, there are some additional tips that may be useful when removing the door:

Before starting, it is recommended to check the condition of the hinges and screws. If they are damaged or have noticeable defects, it may be necessary to replace them before removing the door.

During the process of removing the door it is worth being careful and attentive to avoid possible injuries. The use of protective gloves and goggles is recommended.

If you need to remove a door with non-standard hinges or you lack the experience to carry out this procedure yourself, it is recommended that you contact professionals such as locksmiths or installers who can help you with this task.

After removing the door, you should save all components, including the hinges and screws, for future use or possible restoration.

By learning and applying these guidelines, you can successfully complete the door removal procedure, ensuring safety and minimizing the risk of damage to both yourself and the door.

Step 3: Remove the broken glass

Initially, you need to realize how the glass is installed in your door. In this case, there are two methods of attachment:

Staple mount. These are special holders that surround the glass around its perimeter. They are most often made of wood, painted in the color of the door and serve as a decorative element.

Concealed fastening. When using this method, the glass is inserted into the door through the end and does not require additional holders.

Let's analyze each of the methods of fastening in more detail.

Fastening with staples is the most common and visible way of installing glass in doors. Staples, made of wood, give the door elegance and expressiveness. Due to their design, they are able to frame the glass and securely hold it in place. Each glazing bead is carefully painted in a color matching the door, which creates a harmonious impression.

Concealed fixing, on the other hand, offers an alternative approach to installing glass in doors. It creates the feeling that the glass is embodied directly in the door, without revealing visible holders. This method gives the door a refined and minimalist design, emphasizing its modern character. Without additional holders, the glass is held securely within the door, maintaining its aesthetic impression.

It is important to note that the choice between these two attachment methods depends on your preference and the style of your door. Staple fastening can be ideal for traditional designs, while concealed fastening works well with modern and minimalist interior styles.

Apart from these two main methods of fixing, there are other innovative technologies that are worth mentioning. For example, some manufacturers offer magnetic glass mounting systems that provide security and convenience. These systems utilize magnets located on the door and glass to securely fasten them together. This approach eliminates the need for visible fasteners, which gives the door a clean and elegant look.

Safety is also an important aspect of installing glass in a door. In some cases, especially with large area glass, special retainers or additional holders are recommended to provide additional support and stability for the glass. This is particularly relevant for glass doors installed outdoors or in areas with high loads.

Methods of removing glass secured with glazing beads:

1. Gently pry up the glazing bead with a flat-bladed screwdriver where it is nailed in place. Apply pressure to the screwdriver to lift it up.
2. As soon as the nails appear outward, grab them with the pliers and remove the staple.
3. Once you've removed all four glazing bars, carefully remove the old sealant around the perimeter of the opening using a flathead screwdriver.
4. Pry up the glass with the screwdriver and carefully remove it. If the glass is large or badly damaged, it will be easier to push it from below. This may require the assistance of a helper.

Effective methods for removing glass with concealed fasteners

You will need to follow the steps below to remove the door:

1. Visually locate the two round plastic plugs on the side of the door. They conceal special components. Using a flat-bladed screwdriver, carefully pry up the plugs and remove them.
2. Underneath the plugs are recesses with screws. Take a screwdriver or Phillips screwdriver and remove the screws.
3. Depending on the construction of the door frame, you will need to remove the top or the sides. This can be done by prying them off with a flathead screwdriver for convenience.
4. Gently pull the glass up or sideways to remove it from the recess. If there are any shards left in the process, remove each one separately.
5. Use a flat-blade screwdriver to remove any old sealant around the perimeter of the opening.

Remember that when performing these steps, you must be careful and precise to avoid damaging the door or glass.

Step 4. Place an order with a glass workshop for new glass to be made

Get carried away with measuring glass! When glass accidentally shatters into large pieces, it can sometimes be fun to measure its dimensions using a tape measure. Write down the measurements in a notebook: length, width and thickness in millimeters.

In case you have a chance to process an oval glass or any other eccentric shape, you can put it on a sheet of paper and draw a sharp pencil or a bright marker near its contour, if the number of shards formed is limited. After that, you can contact a workshop specializing in the manufacture of glass, with the provided sketch. It is important to note that possible errors in measurements, amounting to several millimeters, can eventually be corrected by using a special sealant.

If only fragments remain of the glass, take measurements of the length and width of the opening into which it was installed. The final size of the glass will be determined by the type of fixing:

1. Installation with pins. Subtract 4 mm from the length and width of the hole. For example, a 50×30 cm hole will require a glass that is 49.6 cm high and 29.6 cm wide. The free space will be filled with sealant.
2. Concealed fixing. In this case, there are special dips in the hole in which the glass is held. Measure them with a ruler on both sides. Add these values to the parameters of the hole, and subtract 4 mm. For example, you have a hole that measures 50×30 cm. The dips on the sides and top are 1 cm. So, you need to add 2 cm to the height and width, and subtract 4 mm. The final height will be 51.6 cm and the width will be 31.6 cm.

This method is not applicable for aesthetic glass and is not suitable. In the case of shaped glass, it is recommended to contact a specialized glass workshop, where they will measure the opening with greater accuracy and quality.

Finally get rid of the old glass and carry out a thorough cleaning of the room in order to eliminate shards and remnants of material.

Place an order for new glass, specifying the necessary parameters and choosing the desired type of glass from the provided options: ordinary, colored, stained glass, frosted or with patterns. It is possible to make any of them shatterproof.

The cost of glass depends on its area and strength, and usually starts from 32 Georgian lari. Production time depends on the workload of the glass workshop and the complexity of the order: simple rectangular glass can be cut in a day, while shaped glass can take up to 10 days to produce.

Step 5: Glass replacement: procedure and recommendations

It is important to coat the areas where the glass contacts the door with silicone sealant. This procedure is necessary to prevent the glass from rattling and chattering when the door is opened and closed.

• If you have hidden glass, it should be inserted through the top or side of the door, just as you removed it. Then put the end of the glass back in place, screw in the self-tapping screws and cover them with plugs. This will ensure a secure attachment.
• In the case where the glass is fixed with staples, insert it into the opening and ask a helper to hold it. Then place the glazing beads along the perimeter of the glass and nail them in place. This method will also ensure that the glass is firmly fixed.

When installing the door in the opening, proceed in the reverse order of how it was removed. The split hinges should be connected to each other and the universal hinges should be fastened with a screwdriver or screwdriver.

If you prefer not to waste time on self-repair, you can always turn to professional glaziers. They will undertake all the work associated with measuring the opening, cutting the glass and its installation.

The cost of replacing glass in an interior or balcony door starts from 1500 rubles. This price includes the work and materials required for the procedure.

Replacing glass in the door is an important stage of repair work, but it can also be an interesting process. You may be curious to know that there are different types of glass that can be used in the replacement. For example, you have the option to choose between regular glass, tinted glass, or frosted glass depending on your preferences and needs.

In addition, you can install special glass with reduced thermal conductivity or sound insulation. Such glass will help to maintain a comfortable temperature in the room and reduce the penetration of noise from the outside. This is especially true for balcony doors, which can be subject to temperature fluctuations and noise from the street.

Keep in mind that the glass replacement process requires some skill and knowledge. If you are not confident in your abilities or want to get a professional result, it is better to contact experienced glaziers who will be able to perform this work flawlessly.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ How can I tell if I need to replace my interior door glass?

✅ If the glass is damaged, cracked or has significant scratches, replacement is recommended. Also note any insulation or security issues to make the decision to replace the glass.

❓ Can I replace interior door glass on my own?

✅ Yes, it is possible, but it requires certain skills and tools. It is recommended that you contact a professional to ensure the new glass is installed correctly and safely.

❓ What is the best type of glass to choose for replacement?

✅ It is recommended that you choose glass that matches the original specifications and dimensions. Contact the door manufacturer or consultant for guidance in selecting the proper glass.

❓ What are the steps in the interior door glass replacement process?

✅ The basic steps include removing the old glass, cleaning and preparing the frame, installing the new glass and securing it with special fasteners. It is recommended that you follow the manufacturer's instructions or call a professional for assistance.