The patio is one of the few places you look forward to visiting when you get home from work. It’s where the stiff corners of your building meet with the refreshing ambience of your outdoor space. Therefore, it’s only right that you invest as much in its upkeep and enhancement as you do in your other possessions.
There are tons of ideas on improving the look of your patio that you can contemplate, each as fascinating as the next. The one thing you shouldn’t overlook while trying to spiff up your patio, however,is the door that leads to it. After all, your journey into your home’s courtyard couldn’t be more remarkable with a delightful entrance way.
Installing a Sliding Glass Patio Door
Of all the types of door you can choose for your patio, the sliding door is undoubtedly the most fitting. It has all the qualities homeowners and guests would want in a door that goes into their favorite spot in the property. Here are some of those desired qualities.
- Continuity
- – A sliding door can be made with large, continuous glass panels, which offer a wide view of your backyard and the surrounding landscape without having to go outside. It’s as if you have brought the patio inside by creating a transparent partition. A slight tint can give an added drama to its filminess as well as reduce daytime glare.
- Ease of Operation
- – Unlike other types of door that require extra effort to operate, a sliding door can be opened or closed by simply sliding away or towards a reference position. You don’t have to take a few steps to push and secure each panel to the sides. It doesn’t even have a knob that can be hard to twist when your hands are slippery.
- Space Efficiency
- – Because sliding glass doors for patio entrances only open and close horizontally, they don’t require a swing space. This gives you more freedom in designing and decorating your patio. You can add more furniture, potted plants, or even stationery elements without making your patio look cramp.
- Visual Appeal
- –If you are not a fan of elaborate patterns and styles, then you should definitely go for a sliding door.It offers a sophisticated appeal that complements most contemporary home styles despite its lack of intricate features, and it’s actually the perfect match for a view of the outdoors since it doesn’t have any element of distraction.
- Energy Efficiency
- – With its huge, clear glass panels, your sliding door can allow a generous amount of sunlight into your home during daytime, saving you a great deal of energy in the long run. To adjust the brightness, you can simply install blinds or curtains that you can freely raise or tie when you need more natural light.
How to Install Sliding Glass Patio Doors
Installing a sliding glass patio door is easier than it looks in the many YouTube videos you’ve probably watched before you came across this article. The most sensible advice we can give you is to enlist a professional from a premier building and remodeling company like Muller Exteriors, but in case you want to try it on your own for the sake of learning it, here’s a simple guide you may check out.
- Remove the existing door.
- If you’re just replacing an old unit, make sure to remove both the panels and the frame. A new door unit often comes as a set so it won’t be practical to leave the old frame behind. It’s much easier when you are installing sliding patio door on a new opening.
- Buy a sliding glass door.
- This type of door is pretty common so you won’t have difficulty finding one. The only problem is that most supply stores offer units in standard sizes. Your best bet is to customize.
- Apply flashing to the frame.
- Before you set the frame in place, apply flashing on its edges first, particularly on areas that meet with the sill. This will seal out moisture and draft as well as prevent water damage on your door.
- Install the frame.
- Depending on the material the frame of your sliding door is made of, it can be hefty for a single person to carry. To be safe, ask someone to help you set in place at least the frame. Make sure that the side with the small track for the sliding screen is facing outwards. Screw the frame until it’s completely embedded to the sides but use a level to ensure it’s perfectly straight on all sides. Don’t forget to install insulation, too.
- Install the panels.
- This part is a little bit tricky because it requires gentleness to prevent the glass from breaking. You may need the help of your friend here, too. Before you try to insert the panels, however, make sure to clean the rails properly. Once the panels are in place, you can install the handle next.
- Reattach the trims.
- When you were preparing the frame for installation, you had to remove the trims so you can access the areas on which you needed to screw. Now that everything is in place, you can put the trim back to cover the exposed surface.
Through these simple sliding glass door installation instructions, you’ll realize that it’s a task that even a regular homeowner with no prior experience in installing doors can learn it. But as previously mentioned, there are risks involved in DIY, so it’s best to let a professional do it. This is especially true when you are setting up a customized door unit.
Sources:
https://www.homedepot.com/c/ah/how-to-install-a-sliding-door/9ba683603be9fa5395fab90016fc5d7
