Tips on Installing a Patio Sliding Door
Patio doors are a great asset to a home. A patio door is a way to add light to a dark room or simply bring the feel of the outdoors inside. Patio doors come in a variety of styles from sliding to french. Installation of a new patio door can easily be accomplished by a do-it-yourself carpenter with the right supplies, tools and a free weekend.
Supplies
- Patio door
- Saw
- Tape measure
- Level
- Latex caulking
- Caulking gun
- Insulation
- Shim wood
- Header beam
- Temporary ceiling supports
- Decorative trim
- Nails
- Hammer
Door Installation
- Install temporary ceiling supports along the area where the door opening will be cut.
- Measure the opening for the door. The size of the opening will be depend on the size of the door you select.
- Cut the opening using a wall saw. Use a level to make sure the opening is square and plumb.
- Install a large header beam to span the opening of the door and support the existing ceiling area.
- Trim the exterior siding to fit around the door opening. Use the level to make sure it is perfect.
- Double check the door to be certain it will fit the opening.
Place the door frame into the opening and shim the door around the frame as needed. Open and close the door to make sure it operates properly. Use casing nails to secure the door to the house. Drive the nails through the door frame into the house's framing. - Trim off any shim pieces which extend beyond the frame. Use decorative finish trim around the door to hide any gaps between the door frame and the wall.
- Recheck the door's operation again to be sure it didn't shift during the nailing process.
- Insert pieces of fiberglass insulation between frame and house opening.
- Install a piece of outside trim to cover the exterior joint between the house and the door frame.
- Use latex caulking around the trim to seal it.