If you are in need of a new set of sliding patio doors and want to save a little bit of money with regards to installing them, you can install the patio doors yourself and save a lot of money in the process. Being able to do this yourself might make it easier for you to make the decision of installing new doors easier since in the long run it will save you a bundle of money over someone else doing it for you. The amount charged for removing the old and installing the new is far more expensive than the price of the doors themselves. Just remember the key to a successful installation is by following the directions that come with the door completely and pay attention to the order that things are to be done.

The step that is overlooked most often is the step of preparing the opening for the new patio doors. Most people get excited about getting their home improvement job done and looking back at and admiring their work and sometimes forget about the importance of preparation.

The first thing you are going to want to do is to measure the new patio doors that you have waiting to be installed before you even think of removing your old doors. You want to make sure that you definitely got the right size before removing the old one and then you are left with a gaping opening into your house while you go out and get the correct sized patio doors.

Once you have done the measurements and all seems to be fine then you can remove your old patio doors. After that has been done it is very important that you make sure that you remove every last remnant of the old doors. This would be things like nail heads or any screws left that might get in your way when you are trying to install the new doors. Remove all of the old shims and make sure that the floor is clean and ready for the silicone sealant that you will be using during your installation of the new patio doors.

Another important prep step you should take is make sure that the door opening has a solid structure. It is important that the studs which are on each side of the opening are immobile as well as level. If this is not done and the studs are moveable or not level your new doors are not going to work properly.

Once you feel that everything is in top shape and the opening has passed your inspection you can then begin the installation of your new doors. If your doors come broken down then it is important that you lay the pieces out in the exact order the instructions tell you and follow the manufacturers instructions to a tee. However; if your doors are pre hung, you will be able to slide them in place without worry about a list of parts to put together. Once the doors are ready you should run a few heavy drops of adhesive specific to construction on your floor right under the sill that the doors will be sitting. Now you will gently set your doors into place. Have a level and start sliding your shims into place. This will ensure a tight fit inside the opening. Put some fiberglass insulation in any gaps you might find.

After the door frame is square and level you can begin securing the patio doors to the opening frame with the screws that should have come with your door kit. You need to attach these screws through the frame where you put the shims. The instructions with the doors will have a diagram of where you should have put the shims.

After you know that the frame is installed correctly you can now put the door panels in place. You will find that the stops that are to hold the stationary panels will be marked on the doors instructions. Usually you will wait until you set the active panel in place as well before you want to tighten all of the stops. After everything is set and the stops are tightened you can then install the rest of the hardware.

Author Bio: Canadian doors and windows manufacturer specializing in replacement windows manufacturing technology. Offering high quality vinyl windows, replacement windows, bay windows and patio doors.

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