DIY Home Project: Installing A Sliding Door

Sliding doors are a nice addition to any home, and are quite popular. The main reason behind their popularity is that it is a large window that can slide open and homeowners can then gain access to the outside of their home. They are a unique element that gives your property or dwelling a gentle and sophisticated look.

Sliding doors come in a number of designs like glass, vinyl, and wood. That makes them perfect to use anywhere, whether they’re for residential or commercial use. To open or close the sliding doors, they slide on tracks, which allows the single or double door to move with ease. Depending on the kind of door, the tracks are commonly found on the top or bottom frame. If you need construction equipment for affordable rates and in a timely manner, contact us: UK’s best construction equipment rentals.

Here’s a general guide on how to install sliding doors if you can’t hire a professional.

Required Tools

It is important to gather all the tools that are requires before commencing the installation process. If you lack any of these tools, then make it a priority to purchase them. The list of tools include: screwdriver, pencil, spanner, ruler, spirit level, ladder, drill bits, work horse, squares, impact drill, and driver. The materials required are the slide doors, doorstop, tape, door tracks, and screws.

How To Install The Sliding Door

Take the measurements of where you want to install your door, ensuring that the base and sides are all leveled. It is important to check the instructions given for the recommended floor clearance and height required above the door. With the help of the spirit level, ensure that the door frame, where you will be installing the track, is leveled. Otherwise, you will encounter numerous problems during the installation process.

Measure the correct length and height of the tracks, then attach them to the door frame. Pre-drill and screw the door tracks into their correct position and conceal them with decorative pieces like wood moldings, or others. Measure and mark the position where you will fix the rollers and screw in the rollers. Install the bottom rail beneath the door. Use a measuring tape to take precise measurements, so as to make sure that your door fits perfectly on the rails.

Hang your slide door on the tracks. Make sure you loosen the rollers you just fixed and use them to hang your doors on the tracks above the door frame. The hanging process requires perfection for the flawless and smooth operation of the door. At the base, install door guides by screwing them onto the wall, but make sure to consider any coverings on the floor. These guides stop the door from wobbling around, as well as holding it in place.

Do not forget to adjust your door with the spanner. Adjusting the rollers ensures that the door is in line. If your door is a double sliding door, install and align the center bump stop in place. They block the door from rolling too far in either direction. Install and align the end bump stops to secure the end of each track to the wall.

Finally, slide your door a couple of times to ensure that no other adjustment is required. Make the required adjustments so that your door slides smoothly.

Conclusion

Sliding doors are such a perfect solution for people living in small houses who want to gain easy access to their yard. If there are children in the house, be extra careful, since they play with the doors and there is a high chance that their fingers could be squeezed in the process. In addition, if you do not intend to install your sliding doors immediately after purchasing them, ensure that they are well protected.

Unused sliding doors should be stored in a well-ventilated and dry area. Protect them from moisture, especially if they are wooden, since the wood could swell and that would mean problems during the installation process. Installing a sliding door is quite a task, so if you are not up to the challenge, hire a professional to install it.