my sliding glass doors were installed upside down. How do I fix this?

Question

All of the sliding patio doors in my condo complex were installed upside down. That means that my sliding glass door is on the outside and the screen on the inside. I want to install a a pet door but I am having a hard time making it work while still being able to use and lock both doors. The rollers, doors and tracks seem to be in good condition so I hate to just replace them completely. Anyone have any ideas or suggestions?

The doors are your standard aluminum sliding glass doors.

Believe me. I wish I could attach pictures to my question to show that the builders didn;t just screw up my sliding glass doors. They screwed up the whole complex. Over 20 units.

Answer 1

Your sliding glass doors are screwed into place and are not hard to re-install. If you have a handy friend you can remove the screws and turn the doors around as they should be and anchor them correctly. Remember to run a bead of silicone caulking under the threshold to prevent water from seeping in. You will also need to remove the handle and replace it correctly. This is not a big job.

If screens were meant to be placed on the inside then every window in America is installed backwards.

Answer 2

Most sliding glass doors are made so they can be hung to open back either direction. With some, you would have to remove and re-install the metal track, but that's the most you'd have to do. A lot of them come with the metal track already on top and bottom. It is important with a vinyl door/window, to use WAX to lubricate it, NOT an oil product! The oil will actually 'attack' the vinyl, causing it to become brittle over time, and its lifespan will be shortened. Most vinyl window and door manufacturers recommend that you use a spray furniture wax to lubricate the parts. (I always carried a can of J & J furniture wax on service trips). Now is also the time to be sure you installed the frame square and plumb, and that the sliding door sets square in the opening. The door itself can be adjusted at the bottom casters, to square it up to the opening. I usually open the door about 1/4", and check the gap between the door and the frame - if its the same from top to bottom, you're in good shape. If it bows in at the middle, the frame needs some shims removed from behind the latch plate. If it bows out, it needs shims added, hehehe. If the gap is wider at top or bottom, then either the frame is out of square, or the door needs to be adjusted. Use a level to check the frame first, if its good, then the door can be adjusted. Ive installed and adjusted a lot of doors and windows, as part of the warranty service on new homes - this really is pretty easy to do. Feel free to email me, if you need something more specific. Have Fun

Answer 3

It doesn't sound like the doors were installed incorrectly. Get a piece of plywood as long as the door is tall and as wide as you need to install the pet door. Install the pet door in the plywood and put it in the gap of the glass slider. Keep the screen open. Cut a broomstick to the length of the gap in the doorway and place it on the bottom channel of the door. This will keep anybody from entering through that door from the outside. Paint the plywood any color you want, and if it's going to be permanent, caulk the edges for weather proofing.

Answer 4

that's messed up! this means that the frame it's self is in the wall backwards. Unless there is a track on the outside like the one on the inside for the screen. check that out. to remove the screen there are screws either in the ends of the door panel or on the inside down the bottom and at the top adjust the screws till the rollers go into the door and then lift it out.and replace on the out side.

Answer 5

I think you meant "inside out", but in either case, I believe you are incorrect. Some sliding door manufacturers put the active panel on the outside and the screen on the inside. The reason for doing so is weather related. As the wind blows harder, a door with the active panel on the outside seals tighter.

Ken

Answer 6

Lowes and HD sell a doggie door panel just for SGD`s. Install it on the passive side and pin this panel so it becomes inactive. The passive side being the side you don`t normally use all the time. You should be able to place the screen in such a position that man and dog can both egress.

Answer 7

contact who ever installed them and tell them to come fix it, if you are not sure who installed them contact the managment agent for the condo and advise them of the problem......if you want to remove them and reinstall them correctly then it is not hard there are small screws at the top and bottom of each door. you will need someone to help you. loosen these screw but do not completly take them out. this loosens the door frame and you should be able to take them out and plaece them correctly. remove one door at a time....and like i said you will need help 2 extra people will be best. also look at the tracks if they are diffrent sizes then they will have to be removed and reversed...if so its best to call a window installer and let them do it...long process and agravating

Answer 8

I checked some of the other replies and they are good. My reply is that those doors LIFT OUT. You might need someone to help you lift them, then turn them over and reinstall them TOP FIRST then bottom. It's pretty simple but inconvenient as hell!

Answer 9

I would call an aluminum door company and see what they say after they look at it

Answer 10

If a contractor did this he needs to be called back the tracks have to be removed and reversed big job.