How to Replace Glass in a Storm Door

The window glass in a storm door can break due to exposure to harsh environmental conditions. Its replacement can be an easy and fun job if done safely with the right tools and materials. It is interesting to note, however, that it doesn't require any adhesive to attach the new glass. No adhesive should have been used when the glass was originally attached to the storm door. There are just screws and clips to hold it in place. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you through the process of replacing the glass in a storm door yourself.

Step 1 - Set the Glass Frame

Once you have removed the frame with the broken glass by unscrewing the hinges, lay it down on a work table. Prior to doing this, cover the work table with an old carpet or blanket. This will protect the window frame.

Step 2 - Open the Storm Door

Storm doors are usually held together by very small screws in its corners in very small and tight spaces. Use a screwdriver with a really narrow shank to fit in those corners to unscrew the screws. Remove the screws and store them in a safe place.

Step 3 - Measure the Old Glass Spline

In storm doors, the glass of the windows is separated from the door frame by a glazing spline. The spline is according to the thickness of the glass. Measure the old glass spline and replace it if it is too rough. Measure it accurately, as altering the new spline will be a complicated process.

Step 4 - Measure the Glass

This is the most important step during this process. It is imperative to take accurate measurements of the old glass before you order a new sheet of glass and have it cut accordingly. If there’s an error of even 1/8 of an inch, it can be highly problematic to cut off the excess. And if the glass is too small by that error margin too, it can fall off when installed, being a waste of time and money since you’ll have to buy a new one. If the glass in the window is cracked, you can lay it on the table and assemble it together to take accurate measurements. If the glass is completely shattered, you will have to take accurate estimations by measuring the spline.

Step 5 - Finish the Job

Attach the new sheet of glass into the spline and place it back into the frame of the storm door. When the glass has been fit well, re-attach the storm door and screw in the four screws you took out earlier.

It is very important to wear gloves when handling glass. The freshly cut edges are extremely sharp and could easily cut you.