Trouble Removing Old Sliding Patio Doors....
#1
07-04-08, 09:12 AM
Trouble Removing Old Sliding Patio Doors....
I don't know what I'm doing. I should be relaxing and watching TV. Instead; I'm trying to replace my old sliding patio door with a new swing-open patio door.
Needless to say, I'm in way over my head.
I'm trying to remove the old door. I've managed to get both of the actual glass doors out; but I can't seem to get the frame they sat in removed. I've noticed that in each upper corner there is a screw holding the door.
The catch is; the screws are pointing towards me. Meaning the head of the screw has to be inside my wall?!
How can I get this thing out?
Needless to say, I'm in way over my head.
I'm trying to remove the old door. I've managed to get both of the actual glass doors out; but I can't seem to get the frame they sat in removed. I've noticed that in each upper corner there is a screw holding the door.
The catch is; the screws are pointing towards me. Meaning the head of the screw has to be inside my wall?!
How can I get this thing out?
#2
07-04-08, 09:17 AM
Super Moderator
Rob...I feel for ya man.
The frame is probably held in with a "nailing fin" around the top and sides. This is a flange thats attached to the frame of the door and is screwed or nailed to the framing of the house under the siding. You may have to loosen the siding or actually cut the nailing flange while a helper holds the siding trim out of the way.
How old is the house and door, what kind of exterior is on the outside around the door?
I hope you measured your door to ensure the new swing type will fit.
The frame is probably held in with a "nailing fin" around the top and sides. This is a flange thats attached to the frame of the door and is screwed or nailed to the framing of the house under the siding. You may have to loosen the siding or actually cut the nailing flange while a helper holds the siding trim out of the way.
How old is the house and door, what kind of exterior is on the outside around the door?
I hope you measured your door to ensure the new swing type will fit.
#3
07-04-08, 09:32 AM
Originally Posted by Gunguy45
Rob...I feel for ya man.
The frame is probably held in with a "nailing fin" around the top and sides. This is a flange thats attached to the frame of the door and is screwed or nailed to the framing of the house under the siding. You may have to loosen the siding or actually cut the nailing flange while a helper holds the siding trim out of the way.
How old is the house and door, what kind of exterior is on the outside around the door?
I hope you measured your door to ensure the new swing type will fit.
The frame is probably held in with a "nailing fin" around the top and sides. This is a flange thats attached to the frame of the door and is screwed or nailed to the framing of the house under the siding. You may have to loosen the siding or actually cut the nailing flange while a helper holds the siding trim out of the way.
How old is the house and door, what kind of exterior is on the outside around the door?
I hope you measured your door to ensure the new swing type will fit.
I measured the opening and it was 59.5" x 80". The new door is already hinged and says it fits a rough opening of 60" x 80".
I've been playing with it some more and there are the 2 screws at each corner and also two nails along the sides; the nail is going the 'right way' but the heads are actually dented down into the frame; I have no idea how I'll be able to get a hammer under it.
The exterior is some sort of painted wood. It actually looks pretty bad (another thing to deal with, lol). I don't know what it's called; but it's not aluminum siding.
I've done quite a few DIY projects; but I dunno, ripping open my siding sounds scary, lol. Maybe I should hire someone.
I was told that installing the new door would be the difficult part, lol, and I'm struggling to take the old one out
#4
07-04-08, 09:51 AM
Super Moderator
Ok, '78 is 95% likely a nailing fin, esp if its original. You would need a sawsall (reciprocating saw) to cut the flange w/o removing the siding. Even then it may get slightly damaged, but as you indicated, not a huge deal if replacement or repair is necessary later anyway. I've normally taken the sawsall, cut right thru the frame on the side, then pulled it out enuf so I can cut the flange.
Those nails you mentioned may have been to hold it temporarily, not sure, may even be really part of the door, not nailed into framing of house. You could always wedge a prybar under it or drill the head of the nail off.
A Pro would probably charge about $300-400 to put in the new door, more if you need repair of the siding or interior trim. Not that you'd find anyone to do it this weekend, I'd doubt.
Your call.
BTW How did you get the opening size? If that's accurate, you don't have much wiggle room to get the door level and square. Most patio doors will run right at 59 1/4"-59 1/2" frame size. Sliders can be tweaked to fit a smaller opening, swinging doors don't give you the same leeway.
Those nails you mentioned may have been to hold it temporarily, not sure, may even be really part of the door, not nailed into framing of house. You could always wedge a prybar under it or drill the head of the nail off.
A Pro would probably charge about $300-400 to put in the new door, more if you need repair of the siding or interior trim. Not that you'd find anyone to do it this weekend, I'd doubt.
Your call.
BTW How did you get the opening size? If that's accurate, you don't have much wiggle room to get the door level and square. Most patio doors will run right at 59 1/4"-59 1/2" frame size. Sliders can be tweaked to fit a smaller opening, swinging doors don't give you the same leeway.
