How to Replace Glass in a Door

In this how-to video, This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shows how to safely replace a broken glass door pane.

by This Old House

Skill

EasyIt takes a little patience to remove the wooden stops without breaking them, but installing the new glass pane is easy.

Cost

Estimated Time

1 to 2 hours, depending on size pane being replaced

In this video, This Old House general contractor Tom Silva explains how to replace glass in a door.

Door Glass Replacement in 9 Steps

Measure the broken door pane for a new piece of glass.
Use a stiff-blade putty knife to pry the wooden stops from around the broken pane.
Carefully remove the broken pane from the door.
Scrape away the old glazing compound from the windowpane opening.
Lay a thick bead of glazing compound around pane opening.
Press the glass into the compound, then secure it with glazing points.
Reattach the wooden stops with wire brads.
Use nailset and hammer to tap brads below the wood’s surface.
Scrape away any excess glazing compound.

More: How to Replace Glass Fireplace Doors; How to Install a Sliding Glass Door

Tools