
Removing a sliding glass door just got easier. We tell you how to do it with some simple, easy-to-follow-and-execute steps. Have a look.
Important!
Removing a sliding glass door is a job for two people. Never try to remove it alone because though it does not appear so, a sliding glass door can be very heavy.
Does your glass door not properly? Do you need to replace the door itself? In both these situations, the removal of a sliding glass door becomes essential. What is a fairly simple process may appear tedious, causing you to want to get a ‘pro’ to do the job. However, with simple instructions, you, with a helping hand, can get the door out in no time. Of course, it does require a certain amount of care because you may risk breaking or scratching the door.
Things You Will Need
- Flathead screwdriver
- Phillips screwdriver
- Foam sheets
Instructions
Since the doors are heavy and hard to handle, you must seek help of another person if possible. You may also need to make sure that both, the glass and the door frame are well restored when your removal process is done. Even if you are removing doors with scratched glasses, you need to be careful that the glass is not completely broken by the time you are finished with the work.
1 Preparing the Floor
In order to protect the glass of your sliding doors, spread some sort of padding on the floor (for example: foam sheets) you are working on. It will prevent the glass from breaking and will also protect your flooring from scratches or chipping. Once you have secured the flooring, start with removing the screen of the door, if any.
2 Removing the Screen Door
Start with the removal of the screen door. If your sliding glass doors don’t have the screen door, then you may move on to the next step. To remove the screen door, use a flathead screwdriver. Open the door, and ask your helper to slightly lift the screen door. Insert the screwdriver at the bottom to lift the rollers from the track. Once you have removed the bottom of the screen door, repeat the same with the upper portion of the screen door. Once the door is free, place it aside and move ahead with the following instructions.
3 Removing the Stationary Door
The stationary door is the one usually behind the sliding door, when viewed from inside. This door will have to be removed if for some reason (such as raised flooring), you cannot remove the sliding door from inside the house. The fixed door usually has a threshold which may need to be removed. It is also screwed to the frame with the help of brackets. Start by prying a flathead screwdriver to remove the threshold, followed by unscrewing the brackets from the door at the top, middle, and bottom. Once you remove all the screws, lift the door up and make sure that it is completely removed from the bottom track of the door frame. Then, tilt it slightly with help and remove it from the upper track of the door frame as well.
4 Removing the Sliding Door
Before removing the door, slide it to the point in the track where you see an indent. This enables the door to come out easily. Every sliding glass door has adjustment screws that hold the rollers of the door in place. The access to these screws can be found at the bottom of the door or on the side panel on opposite ends. These screws may be covered with plugs in some cases. Use the Phillips screwdriver to turn these screws counter-clockwise. This will pull up the rollers so that the door sits in the track completely and finds leeway to get out of the frame. Now lift the door up and out of the track (use the screwdriver for this). Once it is out of the frame, tilt the door slightly so that it comes out entirely.
These instructions should help you remove the door easily. If you are still unable to work it out, seek professional help as you don’t want to be left with an open home. Clean the tracks and rollers thoroughly after removing the door so that it slides smoothly in the future.