How to Install a Sliding Glass Door [DIY Guide with Pictures]

If you are a first time DIYer, installing a sliding glass door may not be a walk in the park. However, you can still pull it off as long as you have the right tools and directions. Sliding doors generally have one door that glides gently past the other. The sliding door is usually on a track system that is installed in the framework or the jamb of the door. So how exactly do you go about installing glass sliding doors? Here is a step by step instruction on how to install a sliding glass door on your property. 

Components and Hardware You Need for Installation

The following are the components that you need to have for you to successfully install a sliding door. Do not start assembling them if you are even missing only one of the components.

Glass Sliding Door’s Frame Kit

• 1 head jamb
• 2 side jambs
• 1 sill
• 1 active weather strip carrier
• 2 active panel hole plugs 
• 1 head stop bumper
• 12 #10×3” pan head screws
• 12 #10 x ¾” pan head screws
• 1 panel anchor
• 1 corner anchor
• 2 #10 x 1½” Philips pan head screws
• 2 #10 x3” Phillips Pan head screws
• A sill cover 
• Touch up paint

The Handles Kit for Sliding Door

• A strike plate
• Two handles
• One escutcheon
• 2 Philips Screws with colored Heads
• 4 Machine Screws
• 2 Keys
• 2 #8x 1” flat head screws
• 4 #8 x 2 ½ “plan head sheet metal screws

Other Important Materials for Installation

• 6’ level
• Silicone Sealant 
• Measuring tape
• Electric drill
• Philips drive bit
• Head flashing
• Brad nails 
• 1/8” drill bit
•  Screwdriver (flat)
• Shims
• Sill pan (nice to have but not a must)

Assembling the Frame of Glass Sliding Door

1. Start with Laying All Parts

Start by laying all parts on the floor and then positioning the sill, the head and the side jambs with the interior side facing up. Obviously, you will need a large work area for this. 

Tip: Cover the working area with cardboard in order to protect the frame as well as the floor from unnecessary scratches.

2. Attaching Sill to the Jambs

Attach the sill to the jambs by applying the sealant to the bottom ends of the sill and then fasten the side jambs to the sill through the pre-drilled holes by using three #10 x3/4” screws. It is advisable to start with the center screw and then work your way outwards. Repeat this procedure on the opposite side. 

Tip: Make sure the foam pads are in place before you start assembling the frame.

3. Attach the Head to the Jambs

Apply the sealant to the top ends of the head frame and then fasten the side jambs to the head through the predrilled holes using three 10 x ¾ “screws. It is advisable to start from the center screw and then work your way outward. Repeat this on the opposite side.

4. Apply Silicone Sealant to the Bottom of the Sill

Run heads of silicone sealant across your sill bottom’s entire length. This is an important step because it helps to provide a weather-tight seal.

Installing the Frame of Glass Sliding Door

1. Check the Rough Opening

Follow the steps outlined below to check the rough opening and take any corrective measures if need be;

• Is the sub-floor flat, level and clean? Checking for this is important because the sill needs to be supported properly through its entire length. 
• All four corners should be square. You can use a framing square to check the cross dimensions.
• Plumb framing and walls. You can use a 6-foot level to check for this.
• Ensure all the wall surfaces are strong and the sides are parallel
• The opening should be the correct size and remember to allow 3/8” on the sides and ½ “ at the head.

2. Install the Unit in the Rough Opening

Seal the joints between the sill and the end-caps in order to achieve a watertight sill. Apply a continuous bead of sealant (3/8”) on the backside of the sill and two discontinuous beads of the sealant (3/8”) at the bottom of the sill. Continue applying up to 6 inches up the jamb. Install the drip can to the head and flash. The 3/8” of sealant that is applied at the bottom of the sill pan is done discontinuously in order to allow for drainage.

3. Level Sill

Check to ensure the sill is level and flat and if not, adjust until it is level. In some scenarios, you might need to add some temporary blocking under the projecting exterior edge in order to provide support during the construction.

4. Plumb the Side Jambs

You must ensure the jambs are straight and plumb. If there is any bow, shim to remove it. You can then secure the jamb limbs with screws. As you do this, take precautions to avoid pulling the frame out of the square.

5. Install the Sill Cover

In order to install the vinyl sill cover base, you will need to start at each jamb and work towards the center of the door. Use a rubber mallet to snap it into place.

6. Secure the Frame in the Rough Opening

Fasten the frame to the rough opening through the predrilled holes in the frame. You should use 12 of the #10 x 3 pan head screws for this. The screws are meant to go through the frame because there are no pre-drilled holes in the sill.

7. Install the Stationary Panel

• Apply a ¼ “ bead of caulk. You can use another option but this is the recommended clear sealant.
• Install the stationary panel from the exterior of the unit by inserting the top of the panel into the exterior channel. You can then rotate the bottom panel inward until the inactive riser door sets into the groove.
• Slide the slab tightly against the side jamb.
• Finish by wiping away any excess caulking.

8. Install the Anchor to the Inactive Panel

Start by removing the top screw in the inactive panel and then once this is done, you can proceed to insert the panel anchor. 

• Drill a 1/8” pilot hole in the blocking substrate and frame head.
• Install the #10 x3 “Philips pan head screw via the panel anchor and into the frame.
• Install the #10 x 1 ½ “Philips pan head screws (2) through the panel anchor into the bottom screw hole of the inactive panel.

9. Cutting Weather Strip Carriers

• Start by locating two weather-strip carriers in the frame box. One is meant for the fixed panel while the other is for the active one.
• The carriers are typically sent along to allow for cutting on-site depending on the handling of the door.

10. Attach the Inactive Weather-Strip Carrier

To install the weather-strip carrier, you will need to use a block of wood, or better yet a rubber mallet in order to avoid damaging the parts. 

• Line up your fixed slab weather-strip carrier under the head jamb.
• Insert the barbs into the sile grooves and tap into place. Do the same for the sill.
• Work your way to the center of your panel and ensure that both carriers fit properly into the slots on the edge of each slab.

Installation of the Active Panel

1. Install the Active Panel

The active panel should be installed into the interior channel in the head jamb, from the interior side of the unit. You will need to push it as far as possible and then rotate it into place until the rollers are perfectly engaged in the sill roller track.

Note: It is important to have the active panel close to the closed position before your installation. This is to ensure that the interlocks will align properly when the door is closed. As a rule of thumb, make sure the panel is square to the frame.

2. Adjust the Rollers

Use the screwdriver to turn the adjustment screws in rollers right or left. Keep doing this until the panel is moved easily on the track. This cannot happen if the panel is not level so start by ensuring that the panel is adjusted to be straight with the frame.

3. Attach the Active Weather-strip Carrier

Align the active interlock 1/8” above the bottom edge of the active panel. You may need to trim the straight edge of the bottom panel to achieve this. 

• Insert the barbs and stile grooves. Start from the bottom and work your way up. Tap it into place with a rubber mallet or with a woodblock. 
• Inspect the interior edge of the interlock and tap as needed until you achieve a tight fit on the edges.

4. Insert Head Stop Bumper

The head stop bumper is to be installed in the innermost channel in the head jamb and against the stationary side jamb. If need be, the bumper can also be trimmed down from 6 inches to 4.5 inches. This will allow for a wider entrance.

Installation of Sliding Glass Handle

1. Install the Mortise Lock

Install the mortise lock through the pre-fabricated holes in the active door edge.

2. Align the Exterior Handle

• Assemble the handle to the escutcheon plate depending on the hand of the door and fix it with 2 machine screws. 
• Ensure the curve of the handle is sloping towards the center of the door and then tighten it in place.
• The tailpiece needs positioning before it is assembled on the door. Rotate the tailpiece until you achieve a horizontal position.
• Place the exterior handle on the door such that the holes in the panel align.

3. Align Interior Handle

• Assemble the handle to the escutcheon plate according to the hand of the door with 2 machine screws. Make sure the curve of the handle is sloping towards the center of the door. 

Note: You can change the thumb knob to a different position when in the locked or unlocked position as you please. This can be done by removing the screw in the stem of the thumb turn and then rotating the adaptor until the desired threaded hole in the adaptor lines up with a hole in the thumb turn stem. 

• Turn the thumb knob to align it with the tailpiece Philips pan head and then place the interior handle over the latch aligning holes in the panel.
• Fasten the handles together with 2 colored screws but do not completely tighten the screws.
• Close the active door completely. 
• Rotate the key to the locked and unlocked positions. In both cases, make sure the key is removable. This will indicate that the key has been installed properly. If it doesn’t work as it is meant to, rotate the tailpiece and then reinstall it. 
• Ensure the mounting screws are firmly screwed in place. 

4. Install the Keeper

Install the keeper by aligning it to the predrilled holes in the active jamb and then fasten it with the 1 ½“ Philips pan head screws. Close the door and adjust the keeper in order to get the needed latch engagement. You can adjust the latch throw by the slotted adjustment screw on the mortise lock.

5. Install Foot Bolt

This is an optional step. If you decide to install the foot bolt, you will have to order it with the sliding glass door because it is usually not available separately. Align the foot bolt to pre-drilled holes in the active panel and fasten it with screws.

Conclusion

If you came here by typing “how to install sliding glass door” in Google or your favorite search engine, we hope the steps outlined above have answered you comprehensively. The most important thing to remember before you begin installing your sliding glass door is to assemble all the tools, materials and components you need. In fact, it is not a good idea to begin the installation if you do not have one of the items from the list. It is better to delay the project until you have everything you need than to start too soon and have to abandon the project midway. Once the installation is complete, remember to take good care of the sliding glass door by keeping it clean and observing other routine glass maintenance procedures.