Patio Doors

9 years ago

We live in a townhouse & have a (1) patio glass door that goes from our diningroom to the balcony which is on the second level above the garage. We'd like more light in the diningroom, so would like to replace the single door with double glass patio doors. Problem is, won't fit in our front door entrance & thought maybe we could hoist it up from the ground to the balcony & over the railing. If the two doors are already in the frame, I think they would be too heavy to hoist up to the balcony (not sure of the weight). Any ideas (other than leave as it is!) would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Featured Answer

Lindsey_CA

9 years ago

Irma -- the frame would be a double-wide.

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Comments (16)

eld6161
9 years ago
Post this over in Home Decorating. Also, a photo would be helpful and you will get more responses.
rosabelly thanked eld6161
irma
9 years ago
I am not understanding why it won't fit through the front door. The double doors would be two singles, no????
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ravencajun Zone 8b TX
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
It's mounted in the door frame as a pre hung door so it is 2 doors wide which is why it won't fit. I don't think patio doors come not pre hung.

If you have room you could put 2 single glass doors side by side with just framing between them to support that. It would take more room that a standard patio door.

Turning them sideways you can't get it through the door? Do you have a turn at the front door or straight entrance.
irma
9 years ago
Thanks, Lindsey. I missed the assembled part.
wildchild2x2
9 years ago
It sounds like you are talking about French doors. If you use a slider a lot of window and door companies assemble their sliders on site.
morz8 - Washington Coast
9 years ago
See what the cost per hour for a boom truck and operator is in your area. Here, I think it's about $185/hr. My SILs custom kitchen island wouldn't go through her front door or garage door either. It went up and over her deck in back (steeply sloped lot) where her contractors were waiting to 'catch' it, bring it in, as was the plan since it had first appeared as a design idea on paper.
rosabelly
Original Author
9 years ago
Actually, I had thought about one of those "lifting machines (?!) they use in warehouses that the guy ride around in to put stuff on shelves, but didn't know how to get one at my house....but like your idea better. Thank you, thank you. If I can't get it in the house sideways as Lindsey suggested (why didn't I think of that?!!!), I will go with your suggested. "People helping people" so great. I didn't think the outcome was going to be a positive one...but now, I think it will work. Best regards!
jemdandy
9 years ago
Before lifting, remove the sliding doors out of the frame. That will remove a lot of weight. The empty frame is much easier to handle because with the doors removed one now has hand-holds, and the chance of damaging a door or breaking glass is greatly reduced. As a plus, the individual sliding doors will fit through your front door.

The empty frame can be distorted, so at installation, insure that the frame is square. Shims may be required.

The easy way to do this is to buy installation at the time you purchase the assembly. Most shops who sell these doors also have arrangements with installers. If you do buy installation, be sure to discuss the problems you mentions above such as on a second floor and that the frame will have to be lifted from outside the building.
User
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
jemdandy is correct. Once the sliding glass doors are out of the frame it's light. Hoisting the frame over the balcony, a 2 man job, is very doable.
Michael
9 years ago
You can also order a KD, knocked down unit. Assembly required.
chisue
9 years ago
Is the header in this location wide enough for two doors?
User
9 years ago
My dh wanted to put sliding glass doors in our last house. The builder didn't like them. He thought they were out of style. We ended up with a single door. That's not the same problem you have, but I haven't seen sliding glass doors on a house in several years. Maybe it is regional.
jemdandy
9 years ago
In my area, sliding patio doors are very common. Some builders may use hinged doors to get greater insulation, but these require a 'swing' space for the door. A sliding door is more space efficient and the wind does not slam them shut.
wildchild2x2
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
French doors are more difficult to screen if you live in an area of bugs too. If you are in an area where your house is prone to settling French doors tend to become out of square requiring adjustments or even premature replacement.
Michael
9 years ago
Most exterior French style doors have an air leak at the astragal within a year or two.