How to Replace Plastic Windows on Wooden Garage Doors
Plastic window panels mounted in a wooden garage door can become warped, discolored, cracked or broken and need removal. When you're not looking to replace the whole door, you can pry up the wooden frame around the offending window and replace the plastic with a new piece. With some careful work and a few hours, your garage door will look as good as new.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Rubber mallet
- Flat metal paint scraper or putty knife
- Sandpaper
- Wood putty or glue
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1
Examine the plastic window you want to replace from the inside of the garage. There should be a thin wooden frame or thin wood trim around the edges of the plastic. Frames are sometimes installed with small screws. If this is the case, remove them an set the pieces and screws aside where they won't be lost.
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2
Slide your putty knife between the bottom wood frame piece and the plastic window when trim is not installed with screws. With mallet, gently pound the putty knife down until you reach the bottom of frame piece, generally about 1 inch down. Work your way along the frame piece until you have loosened the frame away from the plastic. Remove the wood piece.
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3
Repeat on the sides of the window as well, removing frame pieces as you go. You may be able to tug the plastic out from the top without removing top frame piece. There is no need to remove it if you were able to keep it in place.
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4
Remove plastic and take to hardware store. Have them cut a replacement piece. If plastic is broken, simply measure length of piece needed for replacement.
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5
Use a putty knife and mallet to chip away any wood glue or putty that held previous plastic window in place. Use sandpaper to smooth down any rough patches of putty that won't come off with knife.
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6
Slide new plastic window into place. Add small amount of wood putty around edges where wood trim will be re-inserted. Insert wood trim pieces into their original positions, tapping with rubber mallet. Wipe off any excess putty.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Pieces of plastic window material are sometimes covered with a plastic film to protect them. Peel off the film before installing your new window.
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References
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