changing opening side of sliding glass door?

Question

We have sliding glass doors that give us access to the backyard. It opens on the right side, but we want it to open on the left side.

I was wondering if I can swap things around so that it will open on the left side. There seems to be the same hardware/set up on the left side.

But some online handyman sites say its next to impossible to swap them. Is that true with all sliding door brands? We have a Blomberg Window Systems sliding door from the 80's.

Thanks much!

Answer 1

I am not familiar with your model door, but I can tell you what to look for. Take a look at the tracks in the floor plate. If the slots run all the way from left to right on both doors, then all you need to do is swap the door stop. Most sliding doors have a set door on one side with a sliding rail on the other. At installation time, you can reverse the direction by reversing how the door is installed. Once it is in place, it is a different story/ Take a look at how yours was built though,,,,you might be lucky.

Answer 2

Reliabilt Sliding Doors

Answer 3

I have a sliding glass door Circ 1984 in that same configuration. Nightrider offers a valid clue in that the tracks hopefully span the entire width.

Mine happens to have CLIPS screwed into the top and bottom tracks holding the left side in place. On mine also the left one has no handle/grip/lock mechanism, but I want to assume it also slides.

The issue, in my case at least, might be that the right door will not FLIP and be accomdated in that reversal, once moved to the opposite side? An interesting notion to pursue however.

The effort to find out would be minimal.

Steven Wolf

Answer 4

It is not impossible for all doors, have done it on some Marvin doors. You will probably need to go shopping for a new door, get one with Low E on the glass.