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Installing glass sliding doors patio


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.

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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.

Glass doors to the house and cottage

In a private house there are much more opportunities for bold experiments, creating a unique design than we used to think.

The layout of the house is created taking into account the needs of the owner, but further transformation depends on the imagination of its owner. There are various options for a glass front door to a private house, cottage. What factors should be taken into account in the first place, so that the design perfectly copes with the obligations assigned to it, pleases the eye? 9Ol000 price

Entrance doors made of glass

The main function of an entrance door is to protect housing from cold, wind, and property from intruders. Another important task - the door structure is a kind of visiting card of the owner. The first thing that catches your eye when looking at the facade of the house is the porch and the front door. They influence the first impression and can tell a lot about the character and preferences of the owner.

At first glance, it may seem that glass is the least suitable way to protect the entrance to the room. However, thanks to the intensive development of technology, it was possible to combine original external data, high strength, and reliability in a glass door structure.

According to the constructive, stylistic execution, there are many options for decorating the entrance to the room. The appearance of the door can be made in the general style of the facade, repeat the elements of decor, or it can be an original accent, standing out against the general background with its design, color and style.

Even opaque structures on the outside will let natural light into the room. At the discretion of the client, such models can have a different level of transparency, haze.

Advantages of glass structures for entrance design

Glassstroy company can order manufacturing and installation of a glass door on favorable terms, taking into account individual needs in various design and stylistic solutions.

Glass for decorating the entrance to a room is an interesting solution in terms of design, functionality and reliability. Entrance doors made of glass have the following advantages:

  1. Reliability. Glass doors for entry are high reliability and resistance to burglary. Thanks to modern processing technologies, it was possible to create products with unique qualities (armored, frost-resistant, fire-resistant doors, etc.).
  2. Natural light. The glass filling of the front door increases the degree of natural light in the house. This makes it possible to use natural lighting in dark hallways, corridors throughout the daylight hours. A glass door is a good alternative to a window. Through it you can observe part of the courtyard directly from the room.
  3. Heat and sound insulation. The production of such products is carried out using special technologies, so they have a high level of insulation.
  4. Appearance. Glass is the original design of the entrance. An extensive selection of decoration options allows you to equip an elegant, unique, memorable entrance to the room.

Installation of glass structures is a more complicated operation than installation of models made of wood or metal. The work must be carried out by experienced craftsmen so that the door serves without problems for many years.

Outdoor glass doors are subject to the same requirements as conventional structures - frost resistance, fire resistance, tightness, thermal insulation. Therefore, in the production of glass structures, new technologies are used to ensure the desired result.

Processing technologies and methods

Recently, glass processing technologies have advanced a lot. Modern glass entrance doors retain all the advantages of glass structures and acquire new properties, the main of which are strength, reliability, and safety.

The following types of glass are used to decorate the living space:

2.

Reinforced glass, which is a fabric with a metal mesh, which gives the material higher burglary resistance, security, and the ability to keep its shape.

3.

Triplex (laminated glass) is a sheet of several layers, between which there is a special layer that connects the elements of the sheets together, holding the fragments, preventing them from scattering from a strong impact.

High-quality fittings are used for entrance products. Savings in this case is inappropriate - all materials must be of high quality and strength characteristics.

An important quality of modern glass doors for entrance design is resistance to temperature extremes and various weather conditions. Frost-resistant entrance glass door, is not affected by the sun, is not afraid of rain, does not rot, does not rust. Glass retains its properties in severe frosts and in the summer heat.

Glassstroy can order products with different performance properties. The door can have ordinary, dense, reinforced double-glazed windows, armored glass, etc. Such structures successfully withstand a variety of methods of exposure.

Glass door for summer house with porch

Glass door for summer house with porch can be an interesting design element. You can truly use all the advantages of a glass door when you make an exit to a veranda or other summer room. Translucent products offer an excellent view of the garden, the summer area, visually linking the house and the street into a single whole.

The canopy is a continuation of the structure, and together with the roof, it performs a specific function - it protects from the sun, wind, and precipitation. If it is not possible to organize at least a small canopy over the front door, you can install a visor that will not only protect against the effects of the external environment, but also decorate and diversify the facade.

A small canopy above the door will greatly ennoble the entrance part of the room. This design practically does not give a shadow, but it does not save much from the wind, but it protects from rain, it looks stylish and original. You can also organize lighting. The most common option is the use of LED lamps. Pendant lights are also popular.

Types of glass doors for decorating the entrance to the room

Entrance glass doors are distinguished by many features.

The following types of doors are divided by purpose:

There are no special requirements for them, except for the wishes of the client, the size of the opening. Such products are presented in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, external design, design features, reliability characteristics, thermal insulation and other qualities.

2.

Special purpose

This group includes fire, bulletproof and other models with individual properties.

According to the design features, glass entrance doors are of the following types:

  1. Swing models. The most popular and traditional design that we all know. The sashes of such products swing open in a certain direction - inward or outward.
  2. Pendulum models. Such products can open immediately in both directions like a pendulum.
  3. Sliding models. The shutters do not swing open, but move off to the sides. Models are actively used in public places, and recently they are increasingly used to organize the entrance of private houses.
  4. Accordion glass door. Door leafs move like an accordion, books.
  5. Telescopic. The design has common features with sliding models. The main difference is that the sashes are vertical segments that move interconnectedly along the rails.

Most often, glass sheets are used in sliding systems, creating a spectacular facade with an individual layout. An extensive selection of decor allows you to create your own individual style.

A distinction is also made between single-leaf and double-leaf doors. The former are the most popular solution, the latter are symmetrical and asymmetric. The door leaf can be completely made of glass, or occupy a certain part of it.

Glassstroy company will produce a glass door for a house of any design, taking into account the features of the house, personal wishes and financial capabilities of the customer.

Emphasis on the front door

Depending on how the front door looks, you can get an impression of the property owner, his taste preferences, lifestyle.

If the exterior of the house from the side of decoration looks monotonous and monotonous, you can focus on the glass door. Such a design may have an unusual design or bright colors.

Against the background of a faceless building, a bright door will attract attention, and the rich color of the doorway will refresh the exterior of the structure, giving it a bright and positive image. Bright colors will transform the first impression of the facade of the building. At the same time, the entire door, as well as a separate part of it, can be made in a rich design.

Many people hesitate to install such products due to excessive openness. This can be avoided by installing models with frosted, tinted glass. Color does not affect the properties of the translucent canvas in any way. Such structures retain the same qualities, heat and sound insulation, while letting a certain portion of natural light into the house.

What determines the cost

In comparison with traditional products, the cost of glass entrance doors is much higher. The following nuances affect the final amount:

Despite the fact that such products have a slightly higher cost than traditional models, they are actively gaining popularity in the residential sector, due to excellent reliability, durability, excellent external and other data.

Glassstroy will not only manufacture and install, but will also help you choose the best solution for home decoration, taking into account personal needs, wishes and possibilities.

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    Installation of sliding glass doors by specialists

    Sliding glass doors are increasingly used in modern interiors. And if the doors are mounted without using an aluminum profile, then the interior takes on an ultra-modern look.

    Sliding glass door installation features

    The invisible glass door is particularly impressive. The installation of sliding glass doors requires some skills, so it is advisable to call a specialist. Before installing the frame for the sliding door, the old one is dismantled, and the doorway itself is expanded to the left and up. To expand the opening, the wall masonry will need to be partially disassembled. Here are step-by-step instructions for installing sliding glass doors :

    It is better to order a custom glass door from the manufacturer

    The customer can use the service glass sliding doors to order .

    Learn more