Patio Door Replacement

trkbldr · May 30, 2006

The patio doors we had put in 4 years ago when we built this house have been nothing but trouble. Any hard rain that hits these doors results in leakage. Long story short, the frames are now rotting out so we need to replace these doors. This poses several questions for those more knowledgable than myself:

A) I am usually not afraid of DIY projects but this one scares me for some reason. Is it really as easy as it appears to be or is there some "hidden problem" that is going to jump out at me in the middle of this thing? I really want to do this myself not only to save money but also to make sure the job is done correctly. Or should I pony up the $300.00 per door and hire a "pro"?

B) Can anyone recommend a decent brand of door to replace these with? I do not want a top end door because we are planning to build again next year. Nor do I want the cheapest thing out there. Just something that won't leak any time it rains the right way.

C) Are there any features that seperate a good door from a poor door that I should look out for?

Any help and advice on this project will be greatly appreciated.

trkbldr · May 30, 2006

The patio doors we had put in 4 years ago when we built this house have been nothing but trouble. Any hard rain that hits these doors results in leakage. Long story short, the frames are now rotting out so we need to replace these doors. This poses several questions for those more knowledgable than myself:

A) I am usually not afraid of DIY projects but this one scares me for some reason. Is it really as easy as it appears to be or is there some "hidden problem" that is going to jump out at me in the middle of this thing? I really want to do this myself not only to save money but also to make sure the job is done correctly. Or should I pony up the $300.00 per door and hire a "pro"?

B) Can anyone recommend a decent brand of door to replace these with? I do not want a top end door because we are planning to build again next year. Nor do I want the cheapest thing out there. Just something that won't leak any time it rains the right way.

C) Are there any features that seperate a good door from a poor door that I should look out for?

Any help and advice on this project will be greatly appreciated.

beenthere · May 30, 2006

Patio doors come pre-framed, and the frame is just set in place and screwed to the rough frame. Should be straight forward, and nothing tricky.

Have you contacted the mfg. of the door you have now? That would be my recommendation.

It's sad the quality and carelessness of material used in our products nowadays. I had a new door frame rot out in two years. The co. replaced it, but didn't change the wood nor treat the wood that decayed before, so I'm not going to the trouble of replacing with the new one. Will just cut out the rotten wood and fix that with some redwood or cedar.

beenthere · May 30, 2006

Patio doors come pre-framed, and the frame is just set in place and screwed to the rough frame. Should be straight forward, and nothing tricky.

Have you contacted the mfg. of the door you have now? That would be my recommendation.

It's sad the quality and carelessness of material used in our products nowadays. I had a new door frame rot out in two years. The co. replaced it, but didn't change the wood nor treat the wood that decayed before, so I'm not going to the trouble of replacing with the new one. Will just cut out the rotten wood and fix that with some redwood or cedar.

gsganzer · May 30, 2006

I wouldn't worry about the difficulty. You're house is only 4 years old, so I'm sure you're rough opening is standard sized. It's an easier job then you're thinking.

I bought an "Atrium" brand door, one side is swinging, the other is fixed. The outside is clad and the interior is wood. I bought mine at a building salvage and seconds. It's a new door, but for some reason (I can't find a defect) it was a second. I paid $400 for it. Make sure you buy a door for "replacement", not "new construction". New construction has a nailing flange that goes under your siding (gets installed when the house is only sheathed). A replacement door will have a different fastening arrangement.

gsganzer · May 30, 2006

I wouldn't worry about the difficulty. You're house is only 4 years old, so I'm sure you're rough opening is standard sized. It's an easier job then you're thinking.

I bought an "Atrium" brand door, one side is swinging, the other is fixed. The outside is clad and the interior is wood. I bought mine at a building salvage and seconds. It's a new door, but for some reason (I can't find a defect) it was a second. I paid $400 for it. Make sure you buy a door for "replacement", not "new construction". New construction has a nailing flange that goes under your siding (gets installed when the house is only sheathed). A replacement door will have a different fastening arrangement.

ktm250rider · May 30, 2006

Hidden problems, are you sure that only the door is rotten? The siding behind the door could be gone too, as well as the subfloor depending on how long its been leaking and how severe the leak is.
Im currently working on replacing the last of 5 patio doors in my brother in laws house that is just over 12 years old. When we removed the first door a couple years ago, we ended up replaced half of the studs in the wall because they were all dry rot. This last door, has caused a leak to get to the subfloor which will have to be replaced. I think this last leak is actually caused by an outside electrical box letting in water. When he puts a board over the box (inadvertantly) and the door frame, it doesnt leak.
Also, is there any kind of flashing around the door? If any water gets behind the siding, the flashing is supposed to protect the framing.
What kind of siding do you have on the house?

ktm250rider · May 30, 2006

Hidden problems, are you sure that only the door is rotten? The siding behind the door could be gone too, as well as the subfloor depending on how long its been leaking and how severe the leak is.
Im currently working on replacing the last of 5 patio doors in my brother in laws house that is just over 12 years old. When we removed the first door a couple years ago, we ended up replaced half of the studs in the wall because they were all dry rot. This last door, has caused a leak to get to the subfloor which will have to be replaced. I think this last leak is actually caused by an outside electrical box letting in water. When he puts a board over the box (inadvertantly) and the door frame, it doesnt leak.
Also, is there any kind of flashing around the door? If any water gets behind the siding, the flashing is supposed to protect the framing.
What kind of siding do you have on the house?