I need to replace the glass in the stationary panel of my patio door. The seal broke and smoke from our gas grill filtered inside, and now it looks terrible. (At least I think it's smoke...it's dry, white, and when you pound on the glass, some of it flakes off and falls between the glass panes) The only glass shop locally will not make service calls, so I'm hoping I can remove the panel, take the panel to the glass shop for new glass, and then bring the panel home and re-install it. Can this be done, or do I have to buy a new door? I've looked everywhere on the door for a manufacturer's name, but couldn't find one. The only mark is the "Guardian" logo on the glass, and "Acorn DorWAL" on the handle. (Unless Acorn DorWAL is the manufacturer???...couldn't find a site for them online) Can anyone help?

 

Its not steak residue.......The flakey stuff is moisture residue......Post back whether the window is aluminum,,,,,,wood or vynil.......Your plan is correct to replace the glass in the unit.......The name of the manufacturer is not important or needed.....for the replacement........Also post back with the daylight measure ment of the glass which is from inside edge to the inside edge.....of the stationary units frame.....

 

Stephen is right...the film you see is moisture, and it will actually etch the glass over time.

Sounds like you have an aluminum Acorn door. Replacing the glass in the panel isn't too hard once you get the panel out....that can be a bit of a pain sometimes..... You have to remove the sliding panel first....raise it as high as you can and swing it out from the bottom....the panel is heavy.....a second set of hands is handy. The fixed panel sometimes has a clip about waist high to hold it in place, remove the screw & clip if that is the case.....or sometimes they use a solid pc in the top track...you have to get a thin screwdriver under one side and pop it out.....take note of which way it comes out, as they often have a lip on one side and only install properly one way....so look at it careful or mark it with some tape as to inside/outside.

Once you figure out what method they have used to hold the panel in place ( and SOMETIMES it is just sitting there ! ), you often have to pry it away from the side jamb....again, small screwdriver to start, the most resistance being at the bottom. Sometimes there is a clip built into the bottom and sill so the door can't simply be raised up and swung out from outside....you have to move the panel toward the center 4-6", then pick it up and swing it out like the rolling panel did.

Now you can take that to the glass shop. The glass unit should be a standard 34x76 tempered glass unit.....the last time I bought one they ran about $75 for the glass, plus whatever you have to pay to have them change it out.

 

Thank you StephenS and Tn...Andy...I appreciate your help. The door is aluminum and the daylight measurement of the stationary glass is about 32" X 71", not including the rubber gasket/seal or frame. Tn...Andy, did the glass shop have your panel for quite awhile? I'm wondering if this is something I should call ahead and ask them about, ( do most shops have this tempered glass in stock?...I know I couldn't give them exact measurements over the phone) or should I plan to go without the panel for a week or so? If that's the case, what's the best way to cover the opening? Cut wood to fit? How to fasten it in? I'd be grateful for any suggestions about that process as well.

 

Pamalou,
................
If it is standard.... a glass shop may stock the glass and they would be able to have one delivered within days...........The swap can be completed within a day.....So call first and schedule to bring it in A.M. and pick up the same day..........If the unit is not standard,,,,,,,have it measured and bring it back home.........The shop will order it and then schedule to bring it back for the replacement............More work however it is important that the shop measures it.......A special order replacement unit can take between 1 to 2 weeks.

 

You know, I'm beginning to think that our local glass company just doesn't want my business! I just got off the phone with them, inquiring whether I could bring in my panel for glass replacement and they warned me that they could have the panel for up to 2 weeks, so I suggested that I bring it in...have them measure it...then bring it home again until they call me...their response was that they would have to charge me for taking it apart twice! According to them, they have to remove the glass from the frame to measure it. And on top of that...the price for the glass only on their smallest standard size ( 33 X 75 ) is $180.00. I guess I'll have to call glass companies from out of town and see what they say. Meanwhile, does anyone have a suggestion on how to cover the hole if I'm stuck doing it their way, and being without the panel for 2 weeks?

 

Don't do it thier way..............An experienced technician can easily measure the glass while still in the frame......

Call out of town........and find someone who wants your business...

Andy's posted cost is low for the Northeast.....I'm not sure if Tennesse is less expensive, whether he purchased it a few years ago or whether he might be have trade level pricing with a glass company......My wholesale cost is in the ball park he payed.......Make a few calls and expect to pay around 150 to 175 for the glass and replacement......You may need to call a few shops and as you'll see...prices will vary greatly......for the same brand name glass..

 

Thanks Stephen....you've been very helpful. I've got to wonder why this glass shop doesn't want to do it, though. Is this a nightmare job or something? I know NOTHING about glass replacement, but why would they choose this as their line of work, then NOT want to do it? They are the only glass shop nearby, so they DO have a monopoly on that type of business around here... maybe they can afford to pick & choose their jobs. (I'm still stunned that they don't do service calls to residences...I can remember when they used to....) I'm worried I'll find the same situation wherever I call, and my next options are about 50 miles away. If a small-town shop doesn't want the business, aren't I going to run into problems in a bigger town? (Busier, more customers,etc.) I'm starting to be glad I only have an ugly water stain...what if my patio door glass had been broken out? I'd really be in trouble then, with no business nearby to help.

 

Pamalou,,,,

The job is very easy and probably the most simple replacement. This job is considered bread and butter....You'll find shops with much better attitudes however don't be taken aback if you find others like the one you dealt with........Some compnies do pick and choose..........You'll have better luck in the big city....Why?
"Competition" inspires companies to stay on their toes........

 

Stephen,

Thanks again, and I'll post back when it's done and let you know how it turns out. Appreciate all your help!

Pam

 

Thought I'd post back ....I found a glass shop that will be more than happy to do the replacement for me....but I'll have to start saving my pennies, 'cause they quoted me $525 to replace the glass! Seems I don't have a standard size. I think that price is outrageous, since a local lumber company lists a complete door for $350!

 

Pamalou
The price is expensive and may seem outrageous however it is the market price....Why? As the glass is not standard,,It is not mass produced which means it carries a high sticker price. All tempered glass is expensive..... The glass company automatically doubles the price and adds labor to protect the down side in case it breaks in their shop or while they install it...As one panel is gone the other is not far behind so I would suggest not investing 525.00 into the staitionary panel.......A new door is probably a better investment as they are mass produced. The 325.00 one is probably not a better quality door...Home Depot carries Andersons starting around 600.00

 

Thanks Stephen.....I never thought about the other panel going bad soon, but that makes a lot of sense. Thanks for all your advice. We'll probably try a new door....which I'm sure will be a different size than our "non-standard" unit, so that opens up a whole other set of problems that will be hard to figure out! We'll give it a try, though!

Thanks again,
Pam

 

Better late than never.... (especially if someone else has same problem down the road). The manufacturer is Acorn-Dorwal and they went belly-up in the 90s. Crystal Doors in NYC bought out some of their products but offer very few parts for the older stuff. I've had alot of luck using OMG Windows in Virginia to order parts. They know the stuff inside-out...