Aluminium Sliding Doors

Aluminium sliding doors are a very common part of the modern home and are also extensively used in renovations. The doors can have normal clear glass (safety glass) or laminated smart glass with light and thermal properties.

When installing these doors it is very important that these doors have support right around the frame. Also they must be installed on a level base. Common problems are frame bowing and doors falling out, jamming, or not locking. Many of these problems come from the door frame installed incorrectly.

Step by step guide to installing an Aluminium sliding door.

Step 1: Check the frame

Make sure that the opening in the house wall has been prepared to take the door frame. This means that the base is level and the sides are plumb. Sit the aluminium frame (without the glass doors) into the opening and make sure that it fits and there is enough room for adjustment (10mm both sides of the frame and 20mm on the top).

Step 2: Plumb the frame

Before screwing the aluminium frame to the house make sure that the base is level and the sides are plumb or square. The base may need sliding sideways to plumb the frame.

Step 3: Screw into place

Make sure all your flashing's are in place and then wedge the side jambs in place. Fix as per the manufacturers suggests fixing from the top down. Do not over tighten the screws. If you have a sliding door frame with timber reveals: Fix through the timber reveals into the wall frame. Also check and screw in the aluminium frame. Always fix through or right next to a wedge so that you do not bend the aluminium frame and put the frame out of plumb. Double check the whole frame for a level base and plumb sides.

Step 4: Install the fixed glass panel

Now that the frame is correct and securely fixed to the house frame the fixed panel is installed. To install the fixed panel lift the panel into the top track first and pivot the bottom into the bottom track. Then slide firmly to the side the fixed panel should be on and fix into place with brackets the manufacturer has provided. Note that some doors secure the fixed panel by means of screws alone. This type will screw through the frame of the fixed panel and into the main door frame.

Step 5: Install the sliding door and lock

Install the sliding door. Lift the door into position, top first and then pivot the bottom into place making sure that the wheels are on the track. Adjust the door by sliding it nearly closed and then you can see if it is plumb with the frame. If the door is out of alignment adjust the wheels at the bottom of the door with a screw driver until the door is plumb. Install the lock on the door to the manufacturer instructions. If your door is supplied with a sliding fly screen door install it as per the main glass door, however install it from the outside.