How to Replace Front Door Window Inserts

A front door window insert can fill your home’s entryway with warm, radiant light and offer you a pleasant view of the neighborhood. Over time, however, these functional accents can succumb to deterioration or more severe damage, which can pose a hazard to you and your family. If you find yourself with a crumbling frame or shattered window, there’s no need to spend an arm and a leg on a professional fix. Replacing a standard window insert is a simple project that only requires a few basic tools and about an hour of your time.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Removing the Old Insert

1
Order a new window insert sized to fit your door. If you’re not sure what size you need, use a tape measure to find the height and width of the raised frame enclosing the glass panel. You can then search for a reputable window specialist online or make a trip down to your local home improvement center and pick out a replacement.^{[1]XResearch source}
- It could take anywhere from 5 days to 3 weeks for your new insert to arrive, so don’t wait until the last minute before you actually have the time to tackle this project to place your order.
- Most front door window inserts come in standardized widths of either 22 inches (56 cm) or 24 inches (61 cm), which means you should have no problem finding one that’s a proper fit.^{[2]XResearch source}
- You’ll need to order a new glass panel as well if the old window is cracked or shattered.
2
Take the door off of its hinges. Tap the pins out the hinges from the bottom using a hammer and a nail set, screwdriver, or similar slender implement. Lift the door straight up to separate the two hinge halves, then carefully set it down interior-side-up on a workbench, a pair of sawhorses, or another flat, stable surface.^{[3]XResearch source}
- If possible, recruit an assistant to help you disassemble the door and carry it over to your work station.
- This may seem like a lot of trouble, but you’ll have a much easier time maneuvering the window inserts in and out of place while the door is detached.
Tip: If your window is partially broken or criss-crossed with cracks, “laminate” it with strips of tape to make it safer to handle and prevent small shards of glass from falling out. Clear packing tape will work well for this purpose.^{[4]XResearch source}
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3
Remove the screws securing the insert to the door. You’ll find these screws set into the interior half of the window frame at regular intervals. Pop the camouflaged covers off of each screw with the tip of a Phillips-head screwdriver, then undo the screws by turning them counterclockwise by hand or with the aid of a power drill.^{[5]XResearch source}
- Hold onto your original screw covers, just in case. You may have to reuse them once you’ve successfully installed your new window insert.
- Depending on the size and style of your existing insert, you may encounter 10-15 screws in total.
4
Score the edges of the frame with a sharp utility knife. Run the tip of the knife blade around the outer perimeter of the frame where it meets the door, applying light pressure. This will help to separate the insert from the dried paint and old adhesive holding it in the door. Make as many passes as it takes to free the insert, but try to work as neatly as possible.^{[6]XResearch source}
- Keep a firm grip on your utility knife and don’t let it deviate from the frame. If it slips, you could end up scarring the paint on your door or even slicing into the underlying material.
5
Lift the door away from the window insert. First, pull off the interior half of the frame—it should come away from the door easily once you’ve removed the screws. Then, raise one edge of the door while pressing down on the middle of the insert with your free hand. Once you’ve got the insert resting safely on the tabletop, move the door to another part of your work area to get it out of the way.^{[7]XResearch source}
- For the sake of safety, it’s a good idea to pull on a pair of gloves anytime you’re working with glass, even if it’s still in one piece.^{[8]XResearch source}
6
Clean off any old adhesive clinging to the inside of the window opening. Hold a metal scraper or painter’s tool against the surface at a slight angle and push it along using short, forceful strokes. After dislodging the worst of the gunk, wipe the entire opening with an adhesive remover solution to dissolve any remaining residue.^{[9]XResearch source}
- Do this for any adhesive residue you find on the window itself as well if you plan on only replacing the outer frame.
- A good cleaning will ensure that the opening is nice and clean and ready to accept the new insert.
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Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Installing the New Insert

1
Apply silicone sealant to the edges of the exterior half of your new insert frame. With the piece lying flat on your work surface exterior-side-up, run a bead of silicone around both sides of the raised edge protruding from the middle of the frame’s interior side. The inner bead will glue the glass to the frame, while the outer bead will bond the frame to the window opening.^{[10]XResearch source}
- You’ll only need to perform this step if your replacement insert didn’t come in one piece, or if you’re assembling a new frame around the original glass panel.
- There may be no need to apply an adhesive if the new insert you’ve picked out comes pre-sealed or features a simple screw-in design. Still, it never hurts to have a little extra security.^{[11]XResearch source}
2
Press the exterior half of the frame into the glass for 20-30 seconds. Flip the piece over and take a moment to make sure that its inner edges are lined up precisely with the outer edges of the glass panel. Apply steady pressure to the outer surface of the frame to allow the sealant to dry enough to grip the glass.^{[12]XResearch source}
- If you’re having trouble keeping up with two separate frame halves, remember that the bulkier side of the frame will always go on the outside of the door.
Tip: To avoid costly accidents, always hold both sides of the insert whenever you’re picking it up or moving it from this point on.
3
Lower the door into place around the insert. Turn the insert over so that it’s resting exterior-side-down on your work surface. Then, grab the door, haul it over, and carefully position it so that the vacant window opening is aligned with the edges of the glass panel. Press down lightly on the edges of the opening to encourage the outer bead of sealant to stick and form a weather-tight seal.^{[13]XResearch source}
- Be especially delicate here if you’re attempting to maneuver the door by yourself.
- You can skip straight to this step if you’re just installing a brand new one-piece or preassembled insert.
4
Screw on the interior half of the new insert frame. Place this part of the frame around the exposed window opening on the inside of the door—you’ll be able to feel when it’s seated properly. With both halves of the frame in place, all that’s left to do is insert the new screws that came packaged with your new insert, tighten them down, and push in the new or original screw covers.^{[14]XResearch source}
- Avoid overtightening the screws, as this could cause damage to them or the molded screw holes.
- Only use the screws provided with the new frame. There’s no guarantee that the old ones will fit correctly, and it’s possible to strip the screw holes by trying to force them in.^{[15]XResearch source}
5
Re-mount the door. Take hold of the door by its edges and stand it up vertically. Raise it high enough to align both sets of hinges and slide the hinge pins back in one at a time, starting from the top. Double-check that each pin is fully inserted through the interlocking hinges before calling it a day.^{[16]XResearch source}
- If you have an assistant on standby, they’ll be a big help during this step.
- Take your time and work cautiously. The last thing you want is to lose control over the door and shatter your brand new window insert!
6
Wipe the window down with a little glass cleaner. As all homeowners know, glass has a bad habit of picking up streaks and smudges. To get your new window insert looking its best, simply hit both sides with a few spritzes of glass cleaner and give it a good once-over with a soft, lint-free cloth or paper towel. When you’re finished, it will be like looking at a whole new door!^{[17]XResearch source}
- If you decide to use a paper towel, make sure it’s not the cheap kind that has a tendency to shed tiny bits of paper. One of these will likely just leave the window looking dirtier than when you started.
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Tips

Caulking around the edges of the new insert frame will help protect it from condensation, mold, rot, and other types of damage. This is especially important if you live in an area with high humidity or precipitation.
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If your existing window insert has an usual shape or is built into the door using more complicated means, you may be better off hiring a qualified door and window specialist to make sure that the job gets done right.
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Warnings

Always wear thick, protective gloves and use a light touch when picking up, moving, putting down, positioning, and securing fragile glass items like window panels. Whether broken or not, glass can present a serious safety risk if mishandled.
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Assembling or insetting your window insert the wrong way could make it more likely to break or wear out prematurely. In some cases, improper installation may even void your warranty.
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