Installation of glass doors - do it yourself or call a specialist

How to choose?

When choosing a door for a room (residential, office, commercial), you need to consider several factors:

1. Characteristics of glass. Due to hardening treatment, the strength of the material increases significantly. Moreover, even if such glass breaks, it will not cut anyone: its fragments have blunt edges. The second type that is worth paying attention to is triplex. It is obtained by gluing sheets of glass and polymer film. Due to this, the doors do not fall into pieces when damaged.
2. Feature of the room. For most rooms or office or retail spaces, you can purchase designs with completely transparent glass. For a bathroom or bedroom, it is better to choose matte doors or those decorated with a small pattern.
3. Opening method. The specifics of installation will directly depend on this. Glass doors are available in sliding (the most popular), hinged, and swing doors (more suitable for shopping centers, cafes and restaurants). Depending on the design and weight of the canvas, you will need to select the necessary fittings: canopies, handles and locks.

Before installing glass doors, it is worth considering that with standard sizes their weight with one leaf is at least 35 kg. Therefore, it is better to carry out installation work with a partner, so that there is someone to hold the canvas. Also, we must not forget that glass is not wood: it cannot be slightly sawed or trimmed. If you purchase a ready-made canvas or it is made to order, all measurements must be made as accurately as possible.

Depending on the type of door, how exactly it opens, a frame is installed or it is not necessary. Pendulum type doors are quite common. They may not have a box, and the hinges are attached at the level of the floor and ceiling.

When choosing a glass door, you should immediately select all the necessary fittings. The main criteria in this case are the design of the canvas and its weight, this is especially important for hinges, because the entire load falls on them. More often, the elements for glass sashes are made of metal. It looks beautiful when all the fittings are chosen in the same color and style.

What to use?

Of course, interior doors with glass inserts look impressive and stylish, but due to the fragility of the material, situations often arise when the decorative element needs to be replaced. Owners prefer to replace the part with a similar one; they waste a lot of time searching for a suitable element, but this is not always possible.

Fiberboard sheet

A temporary and budget option is laminated fiberboard, folded in half so that the smooth side is on the outside. Or a regular, non-laminated type of fiberboard, on the front surface of which an opaque decorative film is then applied. This method is considered the least aesthetically attractive and short-lived, therefore it most often serves as a temporary way to hide the missing glass element in the overall door structure.

Decorative film

If the glass is cracked but does not crumble, or if there are small chips, all parts of the structure are covered with decorative film. In this way, not only defects are hidden, but also integrity and harmony in the appearance of the door structure are achieved.

Stained glass insert

It is one of the most expensive materials used by manufacturers in the manufacture of interior doors. This glass adds style and uniqueness to the door; it is quite durable and does not require additional modification. The only drawback is the difficulty in finding parts with similar decor, so you will have to change all the parts, which costs a significant amount.

Regular

Transparent material without additional decor at an affordable price is considered one of the most suitable for replacing a broken element. After taking measurements, the glass is ordered from a glazier and inserted in place of the damaged element. If you have the necessary tools, a glass cutter, for example, you can do the cutting and cutting yourself. Then the surface is decorated with a special film or any other suitable material.

Organic

In other words, it is a transparent plastic that resembles glass in appearance. It is also called monolithic polycarbonate, a durable, unbreakable material, the only drawback of which is the clouding of the structure. This is due to the appearance of scratches on the surface of the material. The application of decorative film will help protect the plexiglass or hide existing defects, which will additionally serve as a decoration for the door.

Tempered

Ordinary glass, made using a special technology, which has undergone heat treatment, giving the material not only increased strength, but also fire safety and sound insulation.

Swing doors

If all measurements are taken correctly and act carefully, then swing doors can be installed without the help of a specialist, on your own. They can be frameless, but quite often have a frame made of steel, aluminum or plastic. The installation of a glass door must be done so as not to scratch the panel, because the slightest defects on a transparent door are noticeable.

The scheme of work is as follows:

1. Place the glass sash on a horizontal surface; the easiest way to do this is on the floor. You need to place the box parts nearby.
2. All elements of the door frame must be equal to the corresponding elements of the leaf. When marking at the bottom, we must not forget about the threshold. You also need to take into account its size. After the side parts and the top strip are cut off, assemble the box. Secure it with self-tapping screws.
3. Install the assembled frame in the doorway, check the correct installation using a building level. Secure it with dowels.
4. Treat all gaps between the frame and the wall with polyurethane foam. Distribute it in small doses so that when it expands the box does not lead. The foam must harden completely. Cut off the excess with any sharp knife.
5. Fix the awnings on the frame and sash. Glass panels always have holes for them. They are drilled at the factory using diamond-coated drills. You also need to immediately install the handle and lock, if provided.
6. Hang the sash on its hinges and adjust its movement.
7. After checking the functionality of the door, fix the trim. They are easiest to glue using liquid nails or polyurethane foam with a minimal coefficient of expansion.

You can watch how to install a glass swing door in this video:

An important point is to ensure a gap between the door frame and the leaf of about 3 mm. To leave it correctly, during the installation process you need to lay sheets of corrugated cardboard between the structural elements.

Installation of glazing beads

It’s easy to do the installation of glazing beads on interior doors yourself. Dismantling was discussed at the beginning of the article.

It should be noted that if the glazing bead is damaged beyond the possibility of repair, you will need to contact a specialized retail outlet or purchase a special paint coating or film to match the door leaf.

Most interior doors with glass are made with glass quarters secured with glazing beads. When replacing it, the elements fit tightly to each other. In this case, it is necessary to apply construction sealant (silicone) to the surface of the glass in the places where they contact.

No matter how strong the fixation of the glazing beads may seem, they must be additionally secured with decorative nails. Parts are dismantled and installed, starting with the top glass. In this case, it is desirable that the door be removed from its hinges and placed on a flat horizontal surface.

Sliding structures

They are quite convenient if there is not much space in the room. Sliding systems do not interfere with anyone when opening; they cannot cause injury. Also among the advantages is elegance, so they can be installed in large rooms.

To install sliding glass doors, guides (rails) are required; the panel moves along them. Its movement is provided by rollers that are fixed on the sash. The wheels are made of polymer materials or metal with a rubberized coating, the guides are made of a durable metal profile. Depending on the weight of the door, they are made of steel and aluminum.

Before proceeding with the installation of the system, it is necessary to arrange a place for sliding the sashes: clear the space along the wall or create a special niche in it. If necessary, the doorway should be strengthened, especially if the width of the panels is significant, two of them are installed. The total weight of the structure in some cases can reach 150 kg. Therefore, it is better to first fix a powerful wooden beam in the upper part, and then install a guide on it.

Installation of a glass sliding door involves the following steps:

1. Fixing the top guide. Attach it to a wooden beam with bolts. It is important that the rail is positioned strictly vertically. Even a minimal tilt will cause the sash to move away on its own.
2. Installation of the bottom rail. It should coincide with the top one, without any shifts, and correspond to the thickness of the door.
3. Installing a glass sash on the lower roller. Secure the door in the top guide. This needs to be done together.
4. Adjustment of elements located in the floor. The sash moves smoothly, without pushing or effort.
5. Installation of the limiter. It will prevent the blade from slipping off the guides.
6. Installation of other fittings. There is usually already a hole in the glass for the handle.

Installation of a sliding glass door is shown in this video:

In order for the canvas to move as smoothly as possible, the bottom rail should be mounted exactly according to the thickness of the glass so that there is no gap left. In this case, there will be no backlash and the blade will move exactly in a straight line.

By style

Previously, doors were used exclusively to protect the house from the entry of strangers. Today, such products are an integral element of the exterior of the house. They can say a lot about its owner. Therefore, when choosing, it is worth considering the design of the door leaf.

Modern doors

In order for the door to become a real color of the house, it is best to opt for modern designs. They are made from various materials and have certain design features.

In a private home you can use the following products:

Modern combined doors. Several materials are used to make the canvas. A composition made of metal and glass would be a good option - such doors look very modern and elegant.

Hinged doors. The canvas is mounted on hinges. Despite the heavy weight, the door easily rotates into the desired position.

Doors with glass inserts. Using glass, you can dilute the monotony of the canvas and make it more attractive and solid. Inserts can have different shapes, sizes and placement methods. There is no need to worry about the reliability of such a door, since it uses tempered and high-strength glass that can withstand various loads.

Pendulum doors

These are practically swing doors, but they can open in both directions at the same time. This design is justified in premises where there is a constant flow of people: offices, shops, clubs.

When installing glass doors with your own hands, you need to consider the following recommendations:

1. The doorway must be strong enough; if necessary, it must first be strengthened. Be sure to check the correctness of the horizontal and vertical lines and align everything. Measurements must be taken three times: from above, from below, in the middle of the opening.
2. Mount fasteners in the upper part of the passage and in the floor; they play the role of a counter part of the canopies. Fastening the upper axle using self-tapping screws can be done directly to the opening if it is made of wood. If there is concrete or brickwork in the upper part, you need to make holes and install a dowel.
3. Install a door closer into the floor. For this type of door it is required. Since glass doors of this type are installed in buildings with high traffic, the door closer will return the door to its original position or fix it in the open state. Glass door closers are important accessories; they prevent damage to the glass and increase its service life.
4. Install the canopies on the glass sash and fix the canvas on the mating part of the hinges. Start from the bottom. Mount the fittings in the provided holes. When installing a door into an opening, it is necessary to align the lower fitting with the door closer installed in the floor.
5. Mount the handle on the door, check how everything works, adjust the fittings.

All cracks from the box to the wall must be sealed with polyurethane foam. It is more suitable for interior work. If the door is installed at the entrance of the building, then it is better to treat the gaps with a cement solution. Unlike foam, it is not afraid of temperature fluctuations, moisture and precipitation. When the foam hardens or the solution dries, all that remains is to install decorative plugs.

Glass replacement tools

To ensure that nothing distracts you while working, prepare in advance the materials and tools that may be needed in the process.

• Selected replacement glass, the right size, edge-treated, safe to work with.
• Gloves to protect hands from cuts. Thin garden gloves will not work; they will not protect you from sharp glass if the material falls and breaks; choose durable special clothing.
• The tools you will need are a chisel and a furniture hammer.
• Sealing paper will be needed to adjust the glass to the size of the desired groove.
• Prepare silicone to firmly fix the glass in the door opening.
• Do not move the broom and dustpan far away; sweep regularly while working to avoid cuts and splinters.

Glass doors for sauna, bathroom

In these rooms, glass doors are in demand because the material is not afraid of moisture. If you plan to install the structure in the sauna, then you need to choose glass with a thickness of 7 mm or more. Only in this case will it be able to withstand significant temperatures. It is better to make the door frame from hardwood, and choose fittings not made of metal, but with a coating that does not heat up.

The installation of glass doors for a bathroom requires the presence of an opaque door. You can make it matte by sandblasting or painting it with paints. If the door is already installed, then it is enough to cover it with tinting film. Another advantage of frosted glass for the bathroom is that water drops do not leave marks on it.

If you need to equip a shower stall, you can choose a semicircular sliding door.

Installation of such a system is carried out in three stages:

1. If the shower stall does not have a tray, then first install a threshold at the exit. Treat all cracks with sealant to prevent moisture from getting outside the cabin.
2. The door leaf should be selected with a seal for better sealing of the room. Install awnings on the opening and sash. Hang the canvas.
3. After this, secure the handle with the latch.

You can see the installation of a glass door in a shower stall in more detail in this video:

Can I replace it myself?

Professionals do not recommend replacing glass with your own hands unless you have certain skills in working with such materials. In the absence of knowledge of modern repair technology, the door deteriorates even more. This especially applies to stained glass, triplex and glass with photo printing, which are fragile and high in cost.

However, having armed yourself with the necessary tools and familiarized yourself with safety precautions, it is possible to eliminate the problem, but with a small nuance - it is unlikely that you will be able to find the same thing, since the manufacturer does not provide for the distribution of components for door models.

But don’t be upset, broken glass is replaced with other elements made from alternative materials. The main thing is to find out the design features of the interior door and become familiar with the specifics of its production, since the fragile part requires careful handling.

If you manage to find a similar one, it is better to do the cutting from trade construction organizations that provide similar services after purchasing glass decor.

In general, replacing broken glass decor is not difficult.

How to care for the door and regulate its operation?

Any doors periodically need adjustment, because over time the door leaf may become slightly skewed. In this case, you need to tighten or loosen the screws on the hinges. For this purpose, a special hexagon is sold complete with them. By turning the screws in one direction or the other, the sash can be brought closer to the frame or further away, and its vertical position can be adjusted.

Misalignment can occur for a number of reasons:

• the building gradually shrinks;
• the sash is too heavy, the canopies were chosen that do not correspond to its weight;
• the fittings are not installed correctly;
• The products are of low quality and wear out quickly.

Glass doors are great for everyone, but they get fingerprints very easily. Especially if there are kids in the house. The canvas itself can be washed with any means that do not contain abrasive particles. Dust should be removed from the fittings with a soft cloth; a vacuum cleaner will help clean the guides in sliding systems.

If the hinges begin to creak, then you need to lubricate them with grease or purchase a spray for metal fittings. Excess product should always be removed after treatment. If even small cracks appear on the canvas, such a door must be dismantled immediately. Otherwise, the slightest pop will increase the cracks on the glass.

Installing a glass door is not much more difficult than installing plastic or wood products. You just need to take into account that it will not be possible to fit the glass sheet; even minimal miscalculations can lead to the fact that the door will not fit. Each type of system has its own installation characteristics. Installation work should be carried out carefully according to the instructions so as not to scratch the glass surface.

Peculiarities

An entrance door with a window can have a metal or wooden base. In the first case, sheet steel is used, the canvas is reinforced around the perimeter with profile pipes or reinforced with a metal corner. Such designs are most often sold with 2 locks: lever and cylinder; belong to the category of burglar-resistant and shock-resistant.

The glass for the front door can be protected with forged decorative inserts or metal grilles. The most impressive are stained glass windows made using the Tiffany method.

There are types with the “warm silence” system. These canvases are well insulated and have a high degree of noise absorption. They are an excellent choice for both apartments and private houses.

Advantages and disadvantages

Entrance groups with glass are being installed more and more often in a private house, because they have the following advantages:

1. Convenient to use: easy to clean and wash.
2. Easy replacement of accessories.
3. Wide range of models: burglary-resistant, with vestibule, swing and sliding, revolving.
4. Aesthetically attractive.
5. Durable.

Double-glazed entrance doors are just as durable and reliable as solid ones, but they look more impressive. A wide range of models of glass inserts and their design allows you to choose the product that will most harmoniously fit into the design of the interior and surrounding area and emphasize the individuality of the building. Due to the variety of models, this option has virtually no disadvantages.

Finishing

An entrance door with glazing does not require additional finishing to decorate the opening. But the slopes will need to be prepared. All manufacturers offer solutions for this purpose that are harmoniously combined with the fabric. Slopes are finished using extensions, corners, and platbands. It is possible to decorate with artificial stone, plastic panels, wood. You can install glass doors yourself, following the manufacturer's instructions.