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How to add a sliding glass door


How to Install Sliding Glass Doors

Replacing an old patio door with a more modern one that has double glazing, UV coatings or other energy-saving features can make your home more comfortable year-round. It may be time to replace your exterior sliding glass doors if they steam up easily, or if they tend to stick and cleaning the rollers hasn't solved the problem.

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If you’re simply removing and replacing an existing door, you should be able to install sliding glass doors on your own. Here’s how.

How Do You Install a Sliding Glass Door Frame?

One of the most important things is measuring to make sure the new door will be a perfect fit for the opening. Take extra care over this step to avoid unnecessary frustration down the line. Remove any trim and measure the rough opening and the height. Double-check the measurements to ensure a perfect fit.

Installing a sliding glass door frame is a relatively simple process — assuming you're replacing an old frame and the rough opening is already cut. It's vital to clean the opening and install flashing for weatherproofing before you insert the new frame. Then, carefully screw the frame into place, checking that it's square and level as you go. Full instructions for installing a door frame are provided as part of the step-by-step guide below.

Sliding Glass Door Installation

Things You’ll Need

First, gather your supplies:

Step-by-Step Guide

The process of sliding door installation is similar to standard door installation. However, because sliding glass panels can be delicate, it's important to work carefully.

  1. Latch the door and remove the head stop from the inside.
  2. Unlatch the door and tip the top end of the panel inwards. Carefully lift it out of the track.
  3. Locate any angle brackets at the top and bottom of the stationary panel and remove them.
  4. Pry the panel free from the frame. You may need to cut the caulk or paint using your knife to work the panel free when you do this.
  5. Pry away any exterior trim and cut the jambs free.
  6. Tip the top of the door frame outward to remove it.
  7. Clean the area around the frame so that it's ready for the next step.
  8. Apply leakproof flashing around the door, making sure to cover the whole surface.
  9. Fit a sill pan for extra weather protection.
  10. Check the floor level and fix it if necessary.
  11. Apply caulk to any areas where there are gaps to reduce drafts keep water from coming in.
  12. Assemble your new door frame and test the fit in the opening.
  13. Once you're satisfied the frame is a perfect fit, apply silicone caulk to the threshold and carefully insert the frame into the opening.
  14. Screw the frame into place, checking that it's square and adjusting as you go.
  15. Tip the stationary panel into the frame opening and anchor the panel with brackets.
  16. Tip the sliding glass panel or screen door into the frame and screw the stop into place.
  17. Slide the door until it is slightly open and tweak the roller heights until they're level and the door moves smoothly.
  18. Install any locks and hardware.
  19. Add insulation. Fiberglass is preferable to foam due to the risk of foam damaging the jamb. Then, replace the interior trim.
  20. Fill any gaps on the exterior with strips and caulk and replace the exterior trim.

Take care when removing and inserting doors. Glass panels can be deceptively heavy and are easily damaged. For that reason, it’s a good idea to recruit a second person to help with lifting and moving the doors.

After removing the old frame, you'll need to dispose of it. Depending on the material the frame is made of, you may wish to cut it into sections for ease of transport and recycling.

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How Long Does It Take to Remove and Install a Sliding Glass Door?

If you have all the tools and materials required on hand, you should be able to complete a sliding door replacement job in a day, including the time required to clean up and dispose of any waste materials. Pre-hung glass doors are the easiest type to install but are also slightly more expensive.

If you're not confident in your ability to do the job well, consider hiring a professional, especially if the doors you're replacing are exterior doors. Unlike a simple decorating job, working with exterior doors carries some risk both in terms of security and weatherproofing, so it's crucial that the job is completed properly.

How to Install a Sliding Glass Door

By

Lee Wallender

Lee Wallender

Lee has over two decades of hands-on experience remodeling, fixing, and improving homes, and has been providing home improvement advice for over 13 years.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process

Updated on 11/03/22

Reviewed by

Deane Biermeier

Reviewed by Deane Biermeier

Deane Biermeier is an expert contractor with nearly 30 years of experience in all types of home repair, maintenance, and remodeling. He is a certified lead carpenter and also holds a certification from the EPA. Deane is a member of The Spruce's Home Improvement Review Board.

Learn more about The Spruce's Review Board

Justin Paget / Getty Images

Project Overview

A sliding glass door helps you create a bright, cheerful room with plenty of fresh air and natural light. A wonderful addition to any home, a sliding glass door extends the living space to an adjacent outdoor patio or deck.

Installing a sliding glass door can be a challenging project, even for an experienced do-it-yourselfer. But with enough advance work and careful planning, you should be able to install a sliding glass door within a day.

When to Install a Sliding Glass Door

A large section of the house will be open and exposed to the elements when installing the sliding glass door. Plan the project for a season with warm, temperate weather. Check the weather to make sure there will be no rain on the day of installation.

Safety Considerations

Always work with an assistant with moving or placing the sliding glass door as it is large, unwieldy, and can weigh between 200 and 400 pounds.

For home security, make sure that you complete the job within one day. If you're unable to do so, make provisions for sealing up the house at night with plywood.

The 9 Best Miter Saws of 2023

Equipment / Tools

Materials

  1. Check the Door Rough Opening

    Visually inspect the rough opening header, sill, and each side to make sure that they are straight, level (for header and sill), plumb (for the sides), and that all wood is in good condition.

  2. Measure the Door Rough Opening

    Measure the width and height of the door's rough opening. Width and height must be between 1/2-inch and 3/4-inch more than the sliding glass door's maximum frame dimensions.

    Measure the rough opening's diagonals in both directions. The two measurements should match if the door opening is square, with a maximum deviation of no more than 1/8-inch to 1/4-inch.

  3. Prepare the Sliding Glass Door

    After removing the outer packaging from the sliding glass door, remove corner covers, protective boards, and cardboard. Leave the protective film on the glass for now.

  4. Prepare the Building Wrap

    For a door opening that previously had a patio door, remove enough siding to expose 9 to 12 inches of house wrap around the door frame exterior. If the building wrap is still in good condition, it can be reused. Otherwise, continue the project by preparing new building wrap and flashing tape.

    1. Apply building wrap across the rough opening.
    2. With the utility knife, cut the wrap across the bottom of the header horizontally from side to side.
    3. Cut the building wrap vertically down the center, from the header to the sill.
    4. Fold the side flaps inside and staple them in place.
    5. Make a 10-inch-long diagonal cut at the top-left corner and top-right corner of the building wrap.
    6. Fold the top flap up and tape it against the exterior side of the house.

  5. Apply the First Strip of Sill Flashing Tape

    1. Cut a length of flashing tape 1-foot longer than the width of the rough opening (or, in this case, about 100 inches long).
    2. Center the flashing tape on the door sill with the adhesive side down. The tape should extend about 6 inches up each side of the door. Leave the adhesive backer on the tape for now.
    3. Slide the tape toward the exterior so that 1-inch of the tape hangs over the edge of the door sill.
    4. While holding the tape in place, have an assistant slowly pull off the adhesive backer.
    5. Fold the tape overhang down against the front of the sill.
    6. At each of the lower corners, slice back the tape 1-inch.
    7. With the corners free, finish folding the lower tape overhang against the front of the sill.
    8. Fold the sides of the flashing tape back against the side of the house.

  6. Apply the Second Strip of Sill Flashing Tape

    Repeat the previous step with a second strip of flashing tape, with two differences:

    • The second strip will be placed on top of the first strip but will be stepped back toward the interior so that its outer edge is flush with the outer edge of the sill.
    • Because this second strip of flashing tape does not overhang the sill, it does not need to be cut back 1-inch at the corners.

  7. Install the Sill Pan (Optional)

    For sliding glass door installations that will experience a high degree of exterior moisture, you may decide to add a sill pan under the door to help channel away water.

    1. Dry-fit the sill pan in the patio door's rough opening.
    2. Make sure that the pan's front lip overhangs the sill and that its sides fit in the rough opening.
    3. Remove the pan and turn it over.
    4. Apply three or four beads of sealant along the length of the sill pan bottom.
    5. Turn the sill pan over and press it into place.

    What Is a Sill Pan?

    A sill pan or sill flashing is a sloped door base that collects and channels exterior water away from the interior and back to the exterior. Though a sill pan can be built from scratch from roll sheet metal, for do-it-yourselfers it's usually easiest to purchase and install a pre-built PVC pan.

  8. Add the Drip Cap to the Patio Door

    Depending on your type of patio door, you may need to install a drip cap to the door before it is in place. You may need to apply silicone sealant to the back of the drip cap to attach it to the top of the patio door.

    What Is a Drip Cap?

    A drip cap is an L-shaped piece of continuous flashing over a door that prevents water from leaking into the door from above. Not all doors will have a separate drip cap. On some models, the drip cap may be integral to the door.

  9. Add Sealant to the Door Sill

    Add three or four continuous beads of sealant across the width of the sill and up each side, stopping at the ends of the flashing tape.

    If using a sill pan, run a continuous bead of sealant along the back fence of the sill pan.

  10. Add Sealant to the Nailing Fins

    On the interior-facing side of the patio door, apply generous beads of sealant to the back of the nailing fins.

    What Are Nailing Fins?

    Nailing fins, sometimes called mounting flanges, hold the patio door against the exterior side of the house and provide a convenient nailing area. Nailing fins may be integral (rigid fins molded into the patio door frame) or non-integral (flexible fins that are delivered folded back and which need to be folded outward before installation).

  11. Place the Patio Door in the Door Opening

    1. From the exterior, lift the patio door with an assistant and rest it bottom-first onto the sill. Do not slide the door.
    2. Tilt the top of the patio door back into the opening until the nailing fins make contact with the side of the house.
    3. Use the hammer to run nails through two of the nailing fin holes at the top corners to hold the sliding glass door in place.

  12. Add the Shims

    Place shims into the sides of the door, between the door frame and the rough opening. Do not shim the sill.

  13. Nail Patio Door in Place

    On the exterior side, nail the sliding glass door against the house with the roofing nails. Do not nail the top edge yet.

  14. Screw Door Frame Sides Into Place

    After drilling pilot holes, drive the 2-inch pan head screws into each of the sliding door sides. Drive screws through every available hole on the sides.

    With the hand saw, cut off any shim ends that extend beyond the wall.

  15. Screw Door Sill Into Place

    With the caulking gun, inject sealant into the door frame's sill screw holes. Follow by driving screws into the holes. Wipe away excess sealant.

  16. Test Doors

    If the doors were not in the door frame when the frame was installed, add the doors now. Once the doors are in place, slide the doors back and forth to check for smooth operation.

  17. Secure Door Header

    If the doors slide smoothly, with no binding from the header, nail the top fin into place. Follow by screwing the top of the door frame into the door opening with 2-inch screws.

  18. Add Flashing Tape to Exterior of Door

    1. Cut two strips of flashing tape as long as the height of the door, plus another 4 inches. In this case, the flashing strips will be 84 inches long.
    2. Center the two strips of flashing tape vertically on each side of the door, with 2 inches of excess at the top and at the bottom.
    3. Apply the two strips to the sides of the sliding glass door, directly on top of the nailing fins.
    4. Cut one strip of flashing tape the width of the door, plus the widths of the two side strips (12 inches) and plus another 2 inches. In this case. cut the strip to 92 inches.
    5. Apply the tape across the header, directly on top of the header nailing fin.
    6. Fold down the top flap of the building wrap.
    7. Cut two strips of flashing tape about 16 inches long.
    8. Apply the two 16-inch strips of flashing tape to the diagonal cuts in the building wrap.

  19. Add Insulating Spray Foam

    Attach the plastic straw extension on the can of foam insulation. From the inside of the house, apply foam insulation between the door and the rough opening. After the foam has dried, cut away any excess with a hand saw.

  20. Install the Exterior Trim

    Miter-cut the brickmold trim to fit around the door on the exterior. Install the trim either by hand with a hammer and finish nails or with a power nailer. Caulk between the sliding glass door frame and the trim, as well as between the trim and the house siding.

  21. Add the Door Lock

    Per the manufacturer's instructions, install the door lock on the door.

When to Call a Professional

Even for experienced do-it-yourselfers, installing a sliding glass door can be a difficult project. Call a door installation company for help if you don't feel confident that you can install the door within a day or two.

How to Install a Glass Door - Tips and Tricks from the Experts

Glass doors look great in any space. Initially, such systems were recognized in the commercial interior, gradually moving to residential buildings and apartments.

Glass is a relatively new, but already quite popular material for home interior design. Increasingly, glass doors and partitions are used in living spaces. Before how to install a glass door in your house, should decide on the design, stylistic features of the door system. The nuances of carrying out installation work largely depend on the type and technical characteristics of the entire structure.

Glass doors are strong and reliable. Installation of such systems is not an easy operation that must be entrusted to specialists. When installing glass structures, you should be extremely careful and cautious. Even the slightest inaccuracies can lead to damage to the door leaf, reduced functionality and even damage to the structure.

Our company is a leader in the manufacture, installation and maintenance of glass door panels. Turning to us, and you will get a professional result. You can contact us through the contacts indicated on the Internet resource.

Interior glass doors - the possibilities they offer

Modern glass constructions are very different from those that were installed in the interior a few decades ago. Boring products have been replaced by modern original models. Innovative technologies make it possible to apply various patterns, drawings, and images to the glass sheet. Translucent models can have different colors, as well as the degree of darkness.

The use of glass in the interior opens up wide possibilities in the design of space, it allows you to create and emphasize the desired style. Currently, such products are widely installed in shopping centers, shops, offices. Owners of private housing also appreciated all the advantages of such systems by installing them in their possessions.

Glass items add value to any space. The advantages of using these structures are as follows:

Glass door systems are excellent for residential use. They favorably decorate the living space, attract the attention of visitors, indicate the good aesthetic taste of their owner. Translucent products create a sense of freedom in the room, add freshness, air, style and beauty to the room. Glass is perceived lightly, cleanly and allows you to create a relaxed atmosphere.

Important! Despite the visual transparency and lightness, glass doors are quite heavy products that require a competent approach during installation, so it is important to entrust installation work to specialists.

Types of glass doors - which is better to use

Before you install a glass door, you should familiarize yourself with the offers that the modern market represents. Currently, translucent products are presented in a very wide range, which opens up wide opportunities for the client to create an individual interior.

Consider the most common types of glass doors, their features and distinctive properties:

1.

Swing design

A popular type of door system. The design of such a door is represented by the usual hinged shape. A good solution for installation in the living space, used in the bedroom, nursery, living room, corridors, bathroom. Advantages - strength, availability, simplicity. Needs free doorway space when opening the sash.

2.

Sliding structures

A more sophisticated solution that is actively gaining ground in the living space, even with more complex installation. Sliding door systems can have various design solutions, as well as be equipped with one or more leaves. Experts advise installing such doors in rooms with limited space. The sashes of systems of this type are moved to the sides, so they do not need free space, which is often the main criterion when choosing. Unlike hinged models, sliding doors are a more complicated procedure. Perfect for installation in the hall, living room, an excellent solution for zoning space into zones.

Suitable for small door openings. Relatively economical models.

There is a wide range of door designs available. The range is wide and varied. In the living space, swing and sliding structures in various styles are most often used.

In our online store, glass doors for the house are presented in a wide range of constructive and stylistic solutions. On the pages of the catalog you can find options for standard designs, as well as individual projects. We manufacture products to order, taking into account personal needs, the characteristics of the premises, the wishes of the customer regarding the stylistic and constructive performance. Contact us and you will receive a product that will harmoniously meet your needs, wishes and budget.

How to choose glass doors

Before you install a glass door, you need to select and buy a product. Having considered the possible options, the most difficult moment comes - the choice. At this stage, many are lost. In addition to various design solutions, there are many options for decorating a glass sheet. Also quite different and the choice of door fittings. How to simplify the selection process?

1.

Determine budget

Immediately determine the amount of money you are willing to spend on a door system, and when choosing a product, start from this amount. Thus, you will significantly reduce the circle of choice and greatly facilitate your task.

2.

Decide on the method of opening the door

If you are an adherent of classic solutions, and the space allows, you can choose a swing door that opens in one direction or the other. If the area in your house or apartment is limited, take a closer look at the sliding type models.

3.

Designate the style

How your door will look - whether it will be glass bronze, corrugated or sandblasted, flower or pattern - depends on the taste preferences of the customer.

4.

Evaluate the technical requirements

Perhaps you are important requirements such as heat, noise insulation. When ordering a door, be sure to indicate these points.

5.

Carry out technical measurements of the doorway

For measuring work, you can use an ordinary construction tape.

An important parameter to consider when choosing is quality and reliability by glass doors - the official website of our company presents products with high quality indicators at an adequate cost. Our company has been on the market in this area for a long time, so we can offer our customers high-quality products at an attractive price.

If you have any questions or are having difficulty making a choice, please contact us and we will provide a free comprehensive consultation. If necessary, our experts will go to the site to take measurements. We will help you choose a solution based on your personal needs, as well as carry out high-profile installation.

How to install glass door

Installing built-in glass doors by yourself is very difficult. The heavy weight of tempered glass, the need for special knowledge and tools - all this complicates the work. Installation of glass structures must be carried out with the utmost precision. Incorrect work, the slightest flaws can lead to damage to the glass door, disruption of its functionality, so it is important to entrust installation work to highly specialized specialists.

Our company presents translucent products for various purposes. We not only sell products, but also carry out professional installation. The quality of our products and work performed is confirmed by warranty.

Where to order glass door installation

Installation of translucent systems is not an easy procedure that requires experience and knowledge. Installation operations must be carried out by specialists, otherwise trouble-free operation over a long period cannot be guaranteed.

Doors made of glass are durable structures, however, if installed incorrectly, there is a high risk of damage to the glass sheet, failure of individual elements. Despite the fact that modern glass filling is durable and reliable, it needs to be handled with care. Be especially careful with the corners of the canvas, since it is in this part that there is the maximum risk of damage.

Mounting features largely depend on design features. Depending on the type of model, great attention must be paid to fixing the box, the guide rail in sliding systems. If installed incorrectly, these products may endanger people around.

Glass doors are a relatively new solution in space design. This is a real find for the design of a stylish residential interior. Recently, glass doors have been actively gaining ground in the interior space of private property, and there are reasons for this. High functionality, excellent external qualities, the ability to create a stylish individual interior - an incomplete list of the advantages of glass structures. But in order for the product to please for many years, it is important to carry out installation work correctly, and our company is an excellent assistant in this matter. 9Ol000

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    Installing a glass door - installation basics.

    Home>Glass door installation - the basics of installation.

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    Glass doors have a number of advantages over wood, metal or plastic doors. The main advantage of glass as a door leaf is an interesting look, the possibility of various decor, the ability to transmit light, environmental friendliness and fire safety. However, the installation of a glass door has its own characteristics, which must be observed in order to achieve a high-quality result.


    Glass door installation technology
    First of all, it is worth recalling that there are two types of glass interior doors: hinged and sliding (compartment). They have a different design and, accordingly, are also mounted in different ways.
    Swing doors can be mounted on side hinges that are screwed to the frame or directly to the wall itself. Installing hinges on a wall (or in a doorway) is extremely rare. For this type of installation, the walls must be concrete, carefully leveled and prepared beforehand. Basically, the installation of a glass interior door without using a box is carried out using metal plates or anchors that are attached to the wall with large dowels.


    However, as a rule, in apartment buildings, interior partitions are made of brickwork. There is a need to install a box on which hinges and a door leaf will be hung, thus forming a door block.
    A finished or pre-assembled frame is inserted into the doorway. The position of the box is controlled by the level, so that the strict horizontal and vertical faces are observed. Depending on the material and type of frame, it is fixed in the opening. If we are talking about a wooden box, then it is fixed by driving wedges into the space between the box itself and the doorway. After that, making sure once again in the correct position, the free space is filled with mounting foam. An important point is the installation of spacers on the frame, since the foam expands during solidification and can lead to deformation or violation of the established position of the box. After the foam hardens, the stage of attaching the hinges to the frame and the door, hanging the door itself and inserting the lock with a handle begins.


    Metal boxes are profiles of various shapes. For interior doors, aluminum profiles are mainly used. So how to install a glass interior door in an aluminum frame securely and firmly? To do this, you need to fix the installation profile along the upper and side edges of the opening with dowels or self-tapping screws and then, using a locking connection, insert the main aluminum profile. Both profiles are attached to each other with bolts or self-tapping screws. Then you need to fix the seal around the perimeter, which eliminates the gap between the box and the door. The final stage is the installation of the handle, lock and its components. It is important to understand that the selection of fittings for a glass door must be done in such a way that it is technologically combined with both the profile itself and the door leaf.


    Sliding glass doors are installed as follows:
    • a metal guide profile is attached above the doorway;
    • travel stops, roller carriages are launched into it;
    • a spring "retarder" is installed for smooth closing of the door;
    • metal grips, handle are attached to the upper part of the door;
    • hooks with door screwed to carriages;
    • a protective, decorative cover is hung to hide the guide profile.

    Features of mounting a glass door in a wooden frame
    When using a wooden frame, the frame itself must be precisely positioned. If the vertical and horizontal edges are not observed, there is a risk that the glass door will not open well.


    The use of a rubber seal on the edge of the glass sheet is recommended. This will eliminate any possible gap between the wooden frame and the door. The seal can be installed only on the box or simultaneously on the box and the adjoining end of the glass sheet. In the latter case, a special glue is used, which will ensure reliable adhesion of the materials to each other. The thickness of the sealing tape should be less than or the same as the thickness of the stack, but never more.

    Holes for fittings - the lock and the handle are preferably made before the door is directly installed in the frame. The recess for the closing element of the lock must be cut out after the door has been hung on the hinges, after fitting the stroke. Otherwise, there is a risk that the bolt will not fit into the recess.



    Aluminum Frame Mounting Features To know how to install a glass door on an aluminum frame yourself, please study the following principles and features of this process:
    • there should be a gap between the glass sheet and the profile, approximately 15-20 mm (for free movement of the door along the opening radius;
    • for sliding doors, the "run" of the door over the edge of the frame should be at least 30 mm.

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