We sell some external doors which are glazed (so come with glass already fitted), but also a number which are ready to glaze. This means the door will not have the glazing already installed, so you can select the type of glass you'd like to buy from the site then insert it yourself when the door arrives. This gives a little more flexibility, allowing you to pick out the perfect type of glass for your needs. There are also transport advantages, making the door far easier to deliver.
Here we will explain how to go about installing that glazing once it arrives, but if you need any ideas on exactly what type of glass to go for then take a look at our onsite glazing guide. From bevelled to etched sandblasted glass, we have got all sorts of different choices that will help brighten up your home.
What you'll need
Tape measure
Ready to glaze door
Glass
Punch
Panel pins
Wood filler
Pin hammer
Silicone
Sanding paper
Step one: Check glass size
The first thing you need to do is check the size of the glass is right for your door. You can do this by measuring both the glass and the gaps on your ready to glaze door. While it is extremely rare for any mistakes to be made, it is worth making sure you have everything in advance. Lay the door out on a flat surface (preferably a workbench) to give you the perfect environment in which to work, get all of the tools above ready before you start.
Step two: Remove beading
Your door will come with beading where the glass fits, these are small pieces of wood which slot on top of the glass once it is in place to help hold it in and improve the appearance of the door. Remove these carefully from along the edge of the gap for the glass, remembering what goes where. Take care whilst removing the beading, it will likely be loosely pinned in place - take care not to break the beading while removing. Put the beading to one side, you will need it again once the glass is in place.
Step three: Silicone
If you are using silicone then you can now use the applicator to squeeze it all along the edges where the pane of glass will slot. Once this is done insert the pane into the aperture. Now repeat the process with the silicone on top of the glass pane, in the same places as before.
Step four: Beading
You can now put the beading back in position on top of the glass. Push the corresponding pieces into the places they were before you started work on the door, although now they will be holding the glass.
To fit the beading securely you need to use your panel pins and pin hammer. Hammer pins in all along the beading, a couple for each side if it is a small pane of glass but every 150mm or so if it is larger. Be careful when hammering not to apply too much force or miss the target - a pin hammer is best for this as they come with smaller heads. Hammering the pins in will secure the beading in place, but to make sure the pins do not work themselves loose use a punch on each of the pin heads to ensure they are held tightly in the wood and are under the surface of the beading.
Next protect the beading against the elements by putting wood filler in the holes around the pins.
Step five: Finishing off
Now you are ready to lightly sand the wood, to remove any imperfections and give a consistent appearance where you've been working.
Do not wipe any excess silicone from the glass at this stage, you'll get a far neater job if you allow the silicone to dry first, then use a sharp blade to cut neatly.
You should now be ready to install your door, with the glazing fitted. If you have any problems through the process, or want to ask us any questions then give our expert team a call on 0114 255 7800.
If you want to do this prior to ordering a new ready to glaze door then please feel free to do so, we're here to talk you through the whole process.