How to Fix a Shattered Glass Door

March 5, 2023 0

Introduction

There are several advantages to glass doors. First, it gives you more light than an ordinary wood door or metal door. Second, they look very nice and can add value to your home if you plan on selling it in the future. Third, you can see what is happening outside without having to open the door, which could leave your home vulnerable to intruders looking for windows that are unlocked.

Unfortunately, due to the fragility of glass, they can be broken easily by objects falling from higher locations like balconies, roofs, or upper floors inside buildings such as offices and hotels; or by strong winds during storms (i.e., hurricanes).

When this happens, you must take immediate steps to repair it. So I today will be discussing how to fix a shattered glass door. So let us get started.

Step-wise Guide on How to Fix a Shattered Glass Door

Installing a new glass door is quite expensive, especially if you have DIY skills to fix it independently. But if the place is exposed to frequent vandalism and break-ins, that’s a different story altogether. Many burglars look for proof of unoccupied houses. If they don’t find anything suspicious like broken windows or doors, they may move to another windowless and doorless house.

Even if your door is shattered, you can still repair it yourself with minimal expense. All you need is some basic knowledge about the material the door is made of and how to fix it. That’s it! The most common type of door is the hinged door. The hinges are the weakest point on this door and can easily be damaged if not repaired properly.

If your door is broken, try to figure out why. Was it because someone broke into your house? Or was it because a bullet or stone hit it by accident? You can tell by looking at the edges of the door. If they’re chipped, that’s probably what happened.
If the glass door is shattered, it means that it was hit by something hard, like a rock, or kicked by someone. You need to find out what happened as soon as possible so you can get the right materials for repairs.
If your door was hit by stones or something similar, then you need to get some plywood sheets and secure them against the walls with nails. But if it got hit and shattered due to a bullet or because of a melee between two groups of people, chances are you might require more than one sheet. You can actually call up handypersons if you aren’t that educated on fixing such things yourself because they usually come with all sorts of supplies.
After securing the wooden boards against both sides of your wall for protection purposes, get some hardwood planks and nail them along the edges, which will fall directly on those wood panels held together by plywood sheets. This will be your basic framework to strengthen the wall at the same time as we’re going to cover it with glass doors.

Now that you’ve set everything up for a sturdy wall calculate how many panels of the glass door are still left and get hold of an additional sheet or two. Cut them into smaller pieces using your handsaw and hammer, then nail those sheets on top of the planks, which will serve as a face frame for the rest of your shattered window door.
Remember: don’t forget to leave appropriate gaps between your newly nailing items just so that you can install doorknobs and locks without any problem later on!
Get some transparent plates made out of acrylic and use them to replace some portions of broken glass paneling. You can even use large panes, which are supposed to be used as part of your window instead. Nail those pieces into place and then use transparent glue to fix the same facedown.
Lastly, you have to cover up the edges with fiberglass strips before securing everything in place with strong resin or any other adhesive. Ensure that you get it completely airtight so that there aren’t any gaps over the edges where rain can ruin your work! Apply some pressure on all corners before closing up a box-like case around them.

Precautions While Fixing a Shattered Glass Door

Do not try to fix the glass in case it is boiling directly. Instead, let the glass cool down first, and then only remove it from the door. When you call us, you can be sure that you will be provided with a guarantee of work. This means that any malfunctions which occur within the specified period (5 years) will be repaired free of charge.
After removing the broken glass, let the door or frame dry completely. If you hang up a wet frame, there are chances of mold growth inside and outside, which will increase your troubles even further. Now is the time to do the gluing. You can use any household adhesive, such as nail glue or Krazy Glue, or buy some company specific type of adhesive from a hardware store. Place the glass on the door so that the broken part is facing up.

Painstakingly inspect every shard to ensure that they are spotless with no pieces left behind before proceeding ahead with fixing things back.

How to Clean a Glass Door?

It isn’t easy to clean an exterior glass door or window, especially if you don’t know-how.

You should use the right materials and never use commercial cleaners because they can ruin their appearance.

Use a soft cloth or non-abrasive paper towel to remove any dirt on the surface of your glass door/window. You may also use a mild detergent solution with warm water – carefully apply some detergent into the cloth or onto a sponge.
Dry your glass doors/window using a soft cloth or dry paper towel as soon as possible after washing it to avoid drips and streaks appearing on them before they have time to dry completely.
If you want to achieve an extra shine on the glass, you can finish it with a dry microfiber fabric. To remove excess water and to avoid streaks, dab first with a soft cloth..
Don’t use power washers or anything that will cause damage to your doors or windows.
You should never use commercial cleaners on them because they are likely to leave stains on the glass surface, which you won’t easily get rid of.
If any dirt persists after washing your window/door several times, allow it to dry completely, then clean it more aggressively by using vinegar mixed in warm water. Don’t forget that it is not recommended to mix vinegar with detergent for cleaning purposes due to its acidic nature.

5 Reasons to Fix Shattered Glass Door

Added Security – A shattered glass door can leave your home vulnerable to intruders, but fixing it can provide you with an extra layer of security.
Better Appearance – A broken glass door can be an eyesore, and putting in the effort to fix it can make a big difference in the overall aesthetic of your home.
Improved Safety – Glass shards can easily cause injury or worse, so repairing the door is crucial for ensuring the safety of those who live in or visit your house.
Less Noise Intrusion – If your glass door is cracked, it might allow sound to travel through it more freely; by fixing it, you can reduce the amount of outside noise that gets into your house.
Reduced Utility Costs – Unrepaired cracks can let out air from inside your home, forcing you to crank up the thermostat and pay higher energy bills; sealing up any gaps will help you save money on monthly utility costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you fix a broken glass door?

Yes, you can fix a broken glass door. The most common way to do this is to use a glue gun. Glue guns come in different types and sizes, so it is important to find one that will fit the specific needs of the job.

To use a glue gun, first, ensure that the area where the glass is broken is clean and free from any dirt or debris. Then take the glue gun and apply some glue to the end of the barrel. Make sure that you have enough glue so that it covers the entire area where the glass is broken.

To fix a broken piece of glass, first put glue on one side of the break. Then, put the two pieces of glass together so that the glued area is touching the other piece of glass. Press down firmly so that the glue spreads evenly, and wait for about 10 minutes for the glue to dry.

Do you need planning permission to change a window to French doors?

It depends on the specific circumstances of your property. In general, if you are replacing an existing window with a French door, you will need planning permission from the local council.

If you are installing a new French door, then you will not need planning permission as long as it complies with all the other regulations in place for new builds.

Can you change glass in front door?

Yes, you can change the glass in the front door. However, it is important to consult a professional before changing the glass yourself may result in damage.

Conclusion

A shattered glass door can be a disturbing sight to an onlooker but what matters most is how fast one can get rid of the damage without compromising the visibility or safety of family members residing within such a room. I hope you have learned all the steps regarding how to fix a shattered glass door. Thank you and have a nice day!

Angela Ervin

Angela is the executive editor of DIY quickly. She began her career as an interior designer before applying her strategic and creative passion to lifestyle and home. She has close to 15 years of experience in creative writing and online content strategy for housekeeping, home decorations as well as other niche efforts. She loves her job and has the privilege of working with an extraordinary team. She lives with her husband, two sons, and daughter in Petersburg. When she's not busy working she spent time with her family.