Installing Vinyl Replacement Sliding Glass Doors

Last week I told you how to remove your old sliding glass door in preparation for the installation of the vinyl replacement door. Let's go through the installation procedure for both the Retrofit style and replacement style frames.

Let's start with the retrofit frame. Like the retrofit window, the door will have a 2" lip flush with the outside edge of the frame. The difference between the retrofit window frame and the retrofit door frame is the absence of the lip on the bottom of the door due to the sill track. Your door will have the lip on both sides and across the top. The majority of the installation process is the same whether it's a retrofit frame or replacement frame. The first thing you want to do is check the floor for a level condition. If the base is not level, add shims to create a level base. This step is very important, because if you have a sloping bottom, the whole frame will be thrown out of square. You will have problems locking the door as well as air infiltration trouble. So, put down shims to make the base level. If possible, use one long shim to create a solid base for the weight of the door. Before setting the door in place, put down a bead of liquid nails from end to end, set the shims on top of the liquid nails, and run a generous bead of caulk on the outside face of the opening, where the retrofit lip is going to contact the exterior surface. Caulk the sides and the top.

Now set the door in place, being careful to lift the door and set the bottom track on top of the shims, rather than dragging the bottom. Obviously, this requires two people, one on each side. You tilt the top away from the opening as you set the bottom in place. Then, raise the top until the retrofit lip contacts the exterior surface where you applied the caulk. The reason I use liquid nails on the bottom rather than caulk is because I don't like to put screws in the bottom, and the liquid nails product is as good as screws when it dries. Have your helper hold the frame in place while you go inside to plumb and secure the door. Put a level on the jamb where the slider will lock. Plumb the jamb and install shims where you put your screws. You should put one about 6 inches from the top and one 6 inches from the bottom. A good quality door will have long screws shipped with the door that are replacements for the small screws holding the locking hardware to the jamb. Be sure to shim where these screws install. Now, if you leveled the bottom and plumbed the side, your top and opposite side should automatically be square. Put shims on the opposite jamb, and drive in your installation screws. Put 3 to 4 screws in the jamb. Then, run your tape measure from the top right corner to the bottom left corner. Write down that measurement. Measure from the opposite corners, and the measurement should be the same if your frame is square. Finally, put one screw in the top center You really don't need any more than one. You don't need to use shims since there won't be any load or torque on the top header. Just don't overtighten the screw, otherwise the frame will bow.

At this point you should have the frame installed in the opening with the fixed panel already glazed in from the factory. Here is where you want to install the sliding panel. It goes in from inside the house. Set it on the side and spray a generous amount of lubricant to the steel rollers to help them spin freely. Wipe away excess before putting the panel in. Remember to raise the top into the header as far as it will go, then swing the bottom over the lip and set it down on the track. If the bottom won't get over the bottom lip, you will have to adjust the bottom rollers to bring them up into the frame. You should see a hole on the side rail to insert a screwdriver and turn the adjustment screw counterclockwise to bring the rollers up and out of the way. After you set the rollers on the track, be sure to adjust them back down before sliding the door. Have your helper lift the side up while you turn the adjustment screw clockwise. Do both sides, then slide the door closed and check for equal daylight from top to bottom. If there is more daylight showing on top or bottom, adjust the rollers to bring the door panel plumb with the jamb. Adjust the lock. Each door should come with lock adjustment instructions. Install the screen door on the outside. Now seal the crack between the retrofit lip and the exterior surface. Go inside and fill the space between the frame and wall studs with R-13 insulation. The last step is trimming the inside. We sell vinyl trim pieces that are designed to trim the inside without having to paint, stain, or nail. You can see samples and prices for the trim at theshopping pageon the website.

Now, the replacement frame installation process is the same, except there is no retrofit lip. Therefore, when you put the frame into the opening, you have to plumb the side jambs from two places rather than one. In addition to plumbing the jamb left to right in the opening, you also have to plumb inside to outside because you don't have the retrofit lip to keep your frame aligned with the outside wall. Also, you need to apply trim to the exterior as well as the interior. You can use a basic vinyl flat trim for the outside, and that is available on the shopping page as well. Be sure to caulk the outside trim where it meets the surrounding surface.You just installed a vinyl sliding glass door. I will be on vacation next week, but the following week's article will deal with the best and safest way to install replacement windows on the second floor.

Door Hinges - Beautiful Fixtures That Serve A Practical Purpose

Door hinges, where would we be without them? That's right, we wouldn't be able to open and close the doors throughout our homes, which would be a problem. Now, even though these fixtures serve a pretty important purpose does not mean that you have to settle for any old ones. In fact, there are many decorative selections available.

If you are wondering, how can door hinges be decorative, well, it is because of the fabulous materials that they are crafted from and the lovely finishes that can be applied to them. For example, you can get ones that are made from brass that have a lovely polished finish or others that are crafted out of bronze that feature an oil rubbed finish that is a deep maroon color, perfect for a house that has more of an antique type look going on throughout it.

Door hinges can be made from other materials as well, including stainless steel, copper, and aluminum to name a few. Alone, each is pretty pleasing to the eye, but the different finishes that they have can make them even that much more beautiful. Some of those finishes include Venetian bronze, satin nickel, polished chrome, burnished brass, bright nickel, dull chrome, and a slew of others.
What's great about door hinges is that believe it or not, they are available in different styles. Like, the antique ones mentioned earlier as an example. You can even get ones that have a colonial feel to them, featuring elegant scrollwork and looping designs. Modern ones that have a sleek look are also an option along with many others including those that are on the contemporary side and some that are more traditional.

Plus, along with purchasing door hinges for your doors, there are others offered by manufacturers for other things throughout your home as well. Like, you can get new ones for your cabinets, new ones for different types of furniture from tables to desks, and you can even get ones that are concealed so you don't even have to look at them if you don't want to.

To check out all the door hinges that are available, don't make the long trip to the hardware store. What you can do instead is just hit the Internet for some online shopping. Comparing products and their prices through all the online stores is a breeze, plus, when you do come across something you like and purchase it, it will be shipped right to your home. Really, shopping has never been so convenient since you don't have to step foot outside your home to do it.

Ultimately, door hinges do serve that practical purpose of allowing us to open and shut our doors. However, that does not mean that they can't be beautiful all at the same time. Nowadays there are many eye-catching options, perfect for adding the extra special touch to the doors in your home. So, don't settle for any old ones, make sure to get nice looking ones today.

Door Hinges - Beautiful Fixtures That Serve A Practical Purpose

Door hinges, where would we be without them? That's right, we wouldn't be able to open and close the doors throughout our homes, which would be a problem. Now, even though these fixtures serve a pretty important purpose does not mean that you have to settle for any old ones. In fact, there are many decorative selections available.

If you are wondering, how can door hinges be decorative, well, it is because of the fabulous materials that they are crafted from and the lovely finishes that can be applied to them. For example, you can get ones that are made from brass that have a lovely polished finish or others that are crafted out of bronze that feature an oil rubbed finish that is a deep maroon color, perfect for a house that has more of an antique type look going on throughout it.

Door hinges can be made from other materials as well, including stainless steel, copper, and aluminum to name a few. Alone, each is pretty pleasing to the eye, but the different finishes that they have can make them even that much more beautiful. Some of those finishes include Venetian bronze, satin nickel, polished chrome, burnished brass, bright nickel, dull chrome, and a slew of others.
What's great about door hinges is that believe it or not, they are available in different styles. Like, the antique ones mentioned earlier as an example. You can even get ones that have a colonial feel to them, featuring elegant scrollwork and looping designs. Modern ones that have a sleek look are also an option along with many others including those that are on the contemporary side and some that are more traditional.

Plus, along with purchasing door hinges for your doors, there are others offered by manufacturers for other things throughout your home as well. Like, you can get new ones for your cabinets, new ones for different types of furniture from tables to desks, and you can even get ones that are concealed so you don't even have to look at them if you don't want to.

To check out all the door hinges that are available, don't make the long trip to the hardware store. What you can do instead is just hit the Internet for some online shopping. Comparing products and their prices through all the online stores is a breeze, plus, when you do come across something you like and purchase it, it will be shipped right to your home. Really, shopping has never been so convenient since you don't have to step foot outside your home to do it.

Ultimately, door hinges do serve that practical purpose of allowing us to open and shut our doors. However, that does not mean that they can't be beautiful all at the same time. Nowadays there are many eye-catching options, perfect for adding the extra special touch to the doors in your home. So, don't settle for any old ones, make sure to get nice looking ones today.

Purchase the Interior Doors For Your Home Online

When you need new interior doors for your home, you can see all the different types you can choose from when you search online. You can also make your purchase online and have the doors delivered to your door. This is especially good for those living in rural areas and have to travel quite a distance to reach the nearest home improvement store. It is important for you to make the right choice in interior doors because the doors you choose add to the décor of your home.

When you search online, some of the door styles you can choose from include:

* Bifold doors

* Space saver doors

* Pocket doors

* Primed hollow doors

* Glass fitted doors

* Semi-solid doors

* Flush doors

* Veneered panel doors

* Double doors

* Room dividers

Of these the white primed hollow door is the most commonly used. This is because of their beauty and their reasonable price.

You can also choose doors in a wide range of wood, of which oak is the most popular. It is natural that you will get standard size doors when you order online, but you have the best chance of getting hard to find sizes.

When you order your doors online, you can also save yourself time and money by ordering the door frames to fit each of the interior doors. This way you don't have to measure the openings, purchase the wood and saw the board into the correct measurements. There are complete interior door sets available, but they do not include the threshold under the door. You may need to cut the legs of the frame, as well, because most of them are longer than necessary.

Contemporary Design - From Front Door to Back

Are you thinking of redecorating your home, or are you moving into a new home and wish to decorate it in such as way that it will be a joy to return to after each work day is done?

There's a lot to think about, if so. Do you want to decorate each room in a different style, or do you want to have a single theme unifying everything?

Let's examine every possible place you can decorate.

To begin with, how about your front door. There's many a decorating style that says that your front door should not be a simple and unadorned piece of wood, but should rather look as if some care were taken with it - a basket with flowers hanging from the doorknocker perhaps and pots of flowers or small trees framing the entryway.

That seems a bit much, to those who enjoy the simpleness and minimalism of contemporary design. If you're a flower lover a pot of roses by the door make a cheery welcome, but there's no need to overdo it!

Enter the room and you come to the entry hall, which typically has a mirror for guests to check their hair before continuing into the living room, and a long table. Now, some styles will have you clutter up this hallway with everything under the sun%