Sliding glass doors are a great addition to any home if you need more natural light. This addition can immediately open up your living area or front room, making the space feel more welcoming for visitors, family, and neighbors who stop by. If you have an existing sliding door and want to replace it, you have come to the right place. We will be sharing step-by-step instructions so you can know how to do a sliding glass door replacement. Continue reading to learn more.
Tools and Materials
Before replacing your sliding glass door, you will first have to gather some tools. The tools you will need for this project include a screwdriver, reciprocating saw, foam sheets, safety glasses, and a flat pry bar to remove an existing sliding door. All of these tools should be readily available at your local hardware store. Alternatively, you can call on us to do a commercial glass door repair and do the job for you.
Prepare the Work Area
Move all the nearby furniture and sweep or vacuum the area immediately surrounding the sliding glass door. This will give yourself enough space to work on the project without bumping into things. Next, lay out foam sheets to protect your flooring from potential scratches when you take out the door. Place your tools within easy reach of the work area before you begin.
Find the Screws
Inspect your sliding door and locate all the screws, especially along the top and the bottom. Note what kind of head they have so you can use the correct screwdriver to remove them. These screws attach the door to the tracks, so you must remove all the screws. All of these initial steps also apply to removing interior sliding mirror doors.
Detach the Door from its Tracks
Turn each screw counterclockwise with a screwdriver and set the screws aside. Have a second person with you to help stabilize the doors as you remove the screws. After you have successfully removed all the screws, tip the door slightly to one side, and carefully lift it up to remove it from the tracks.
Remove the Stationary Panel
Once you remove the door, you must also remove the stationary panel, which is located at the top of the track. If you cannot see it at first, use a pry bar to take out the sheathing and expose the screws. Use a screwdriver to remove the screws from the stationary panel. Notice if there is any dirt or paint along the tracks and clean them.
Remove the Door Frame
The last step is taking out the door frame. Use a reciprocating saw to cut through the frame, especially connecting points, effectively detaching it from the wall. Doing this will make it easier to remove the frame without damaging your wall. Lastly, pry out the frame and dispose of any remaining debris from the project. Cut the frame into smaller chunks to make it easy to throw away the old door frame.
Doing a glass sliding door replacement can take a while, especially if you’ve never done it before. Don’t hesitate to call us and schedule a time for one of our professionals to come take care of this for you. We can help you repair, remove, or install a single sliding mirror door, custom mirror sliding doors, and glass sliding doors anywhere in your home.
