Preparing to Install a Sliding Glass Patio Door

For any homeowner who is installing a sliding glass patio door as a DIY project, this article is essential reading.  As in any home repair project, good preparation is critical to ensure a successful install.

Installing a sliding glass patio door in your home may seem like a daunting DIY project for a homeowner to tackle, but it doesn't have to be.  Almost any homeowner can complete this simple task successfully, provided that they can follow instructions and use some basic tools.  In this article, we'll cover the basic preparatory steps leading up to a DIY patio door installation project that you can do yourself.

With any new patio door installation, choosing the appropriate location for the door is one of the most important decisions.  When thinking about this, there are a few questions you'll probably want to ask yourself:

1. What is the traffic flow in the room?  Does your proposed location fit the natural flow for entrance and exit from the room?  Often times, sliding glass doors are installed as a replacement for a single entry hinged door, and in this case ,  you will want to assure that there is no disruption of the structural integrity of your home when the door is installed.  Additionally, you will need to consider whether you need a right side slider or left side slider.
2. What direction does the door face and what are the room's lighting needs?  In some cases, the lighting in a particular room can affect the room's use.  For example, if you are installing the door in a room where you like to read your paper in the morning, a glass sliding door facing east directly across from your favorite chair may not produce the desired effect.  If lighting could be an issue, you might want to rethink the door placement, or else purchase some very heavy, lined drapes that can be opened and closed easily.

At this point you will likely be ready to shop for your new door.  At your local building supply store, be sure to explain all your needs to a staff member and get their recommendations.  It will also be important to read the point of purchase literature from beginning to end, so you'll understand the pros and cons of each product.  You may also want to inquire about upgrades such as high security hardware.  Patio doors are one of the most vulnerable points of entry for burglars and other intruders, so investing in a good security sliding glass door lock is well worth the money.

Once you've purchased the patio door that fits your needs, be sure to take some time to read the installation instructions thoroughly.  Having a good understanding of the manufacturer's recommendations is critical to a successful installation.  There are also a number of how-to books on the market that detail the procedure step by step for inexperienced installers.  These books are excellent resources and may be well worth the small investment before you get started.  Many of today's how-to books contain a wealth of information on many other home improvement topics, so this is often an investment that can help you with multiple DIY projects.

It's important to realize that installing a sliding glass door is not a one person job.  One sliding door panel in double or triple glazed glass can easily weigh 70 or 80 pounds.  Consider that weight doubled for two panels, and you'll understand that just the task of picking up the door from your local home building supply store will require some assistance.  Call up a couple friends or family members and see who can give you a hand.

With all these steps completed, you'll be well on your way to a quick and easy patio door installation.  Remember, you don't have to be a professional to do a professional quality job.  All it takes is a little time, patience, and good preparation to ensure a successful result.

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