Repairing or replacing a cracked glass door on your own is possible. These repairs can be straightforward if you follow the right steps and take the necessary precautions. If there are any safety or structural concerns, it is best to refer this to a professional glass repair company.
So keep reading to find out how you can repair a cracked glass door.
Table of Contents
Determine the Extent of the Damage
Look carefully at the crack to determine what repairs may be needed. Glass with a crack larger than an inch or glass that has broken into pieces might need to be replaced rather than repaired. Single and double-pane glass can be repaired if the crack is small enough; otherwise, replacement is advised.
Determine if the repairs can be done safely by yourself or if you need a professional window service and repair company to help you.
Determine the cause of the crack and try and find any underlying problems that might cause the new glass door to crack as well. Also, look at the different types of glass available that might be better suited to use when replacing broken glass.
Be Safe
Ensure you’re safe by wearing protective gloves and eyewear at all times, even when you are just determining the damage. Broken glass can cause serious injuries, so take precautions.
Tools and Materials for Repairs
If you are going to repair the crack, you will need the following materials:
- Two-part epoxy mixture
- Razor blade
- Nail polish remover or acetone
- Plastic hand scraper
- Craft sticks or toothpicks
- Disposable plate
- Microfibre cloths
- Glass cleaner
- Putty knife
It’s important that you have the right tools for the job. You don’t want to start replacing your door only to find out halfway through that you can’t complete the job.
Clean the Area
Clean the cracked area using a glass cleaner or a mixture of detergent and water. Make sure that you remove all the dirt, dust, and loose glass particles to make the process easier and safer.
Make sure the area is completely dry before proceeding with the repairs or replacement.
Mix Epoxy
Most epoxy mixes are a 50/50 blend of epoxy and hardener. Read the instructions carefully before proceeding to mix a batch, as the type you use might have a different ratio. Rather mix smaller batches if the product dries quickly to give yourself time for proper repairs.
Once you have added the correct amount of epoxy and hardener to a plate, mix well using a craft stick. When these two substances are mixed together, it triggers a chemical reaction that bonds together and allows for a product that is strong when cured.
Use a toothpick to carefully apply the mixture to the cracked area, ensuring that the crack is filled completely. You will have a limited period of between 5 to 10 minutes to work with the mixture before it becomes too thick to fill the crack. Once you’ve applied it to the affected area, you have to leave it to dry.
Once the epoxy has set, you can use a razor blade to scrape away any excess. Next, use some acetone or glass cleaner on a cloth to carefully clean the whole area.
Tools and Materials for Replacements
Replacing a cracked glass door requires a bit more materials and skill to complete. Here are the necessary tools needed to cut and replace glass panels on your door:
- Replacement sheet of glass to the thickness and size required
- Manual glass-cutting tool
- Steel square
- Silicone adhesive
- Pencil
- Fine sanding paper
- Glass cleaner
- Hammer and nails
Remove the Cracked Glass Panel
Use a hammer to remove all the nails from the glass bead molding. Do this slowly to limit damage to the molding.
Once the moldings are removed, take out all the broken glass and clean the area thoroughly. Be careful and wear gloves while doing this, as the broken glass might be extremely sharp.
If you’re not using precut pieces, you’ll have to cut the glass to size yourself. The process of cutting glass is simple if you follow these steps:
- Clean the glass to remove dirt, fingerprints, etc.
- Wear goggles and gloves during this process to protect yourself
- Measure the area that the glass must be fitted to
- Measure the width of the existing frame at the top, the middle, and the bottom
- Measure the glass and use a pencil to mark the edges and cut lines
- Score the glass with a glass cutter
- Use a straight edge and snap along the scored line
- Smooth out any sharp edges using fine sandpaper
Install the New Panel
Apply silicone to the wood and lightly press the glass panel on top to fit into the frame. After the glass panel is fitted, replace the bead molding. Be careful and go slow when using a hammer and nails to tack them back into place; you do not want to break the newly installed glass panel.
Clean your newly installed glass panel and enjoy your handiwork.
Easily Repair Cracked Glass
When it comes to dealing with broken or cracked glass, you don’t always have to call a professional. Depending on the severity of the damage and your DIY skills, you can do the glass repair yourself. But if you’re worried that you can’t properly fix the damage or you’re afraid you might hurt yourself, it’s always better to call a professional to come and help you out.
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