Step by Step Patio Door Installation Manual

Over time, the looks of front, patio or balcony doors can suffer due to the constant exposure to weather. In addition, older models may also fail to meet modern requirements for burglary protection, thermal insulation and/or sound protection. In such cases, it may be necessary to install new doors. However, the installation of a new door does not necessarily require professional help. This manual explains all of the important steps for installing a balcony or patio door in detail. Even inexperienced do-it-yourself enthusiasts will have no problems with the installation. For a professional patio door installation, you will need the appropriate tools and materials.

Table of Contents

• The new patio door
• Screws for the frame
• Washers
• Vapour-resistant foil
• Foil open to vapour diffusion
• Trioplex tape (if available)
• Construction foam
• Construction foam cleaner
• Blueprints
• Pen or pencil

• Bubble level
• Electric screwdriver
• Impact or percussion drill
• Wood or stone drill bits (6 mm)
• Measuring tape
• Construction foam gun
• Slotted (‘flat-head’) screwdrivers

1. Preparations

To ensure the smooth installation of a patio door, all necessary tools and materials should be placed within reach beforehand, so they can be used without delay during the procedure. If the old patio door is still installed, it will need to be removed first. You can find the respective manual describing all necessary steps here. As soon as the old patio door is removed correctly, you can start installing the new one. The installation should ideally proceed according to contemporary installation standards such as the German RAL standard. To comply with RAL standards specifically, several steps have to be performed before the actual installation can commence.

• Clean the patio door reveal, making sure that no dust or dirt particles remain. Ideal thermal insulation values can only be achieved if the new patio door is installed onto clean surfaces. Clean surface conditions allow the sealing material to fully stick to the reveal, allowing for a fault-free installation procedure (Fig. 1).
• Re-measure the reveal before installation. This way, you can be sure that the measurements of the new patio door actually match those of the reveal. If building blueprints are available, you should also note the measurements and the date in writing.
• Always focus on personal safety during installation. In order to minimise the risk of injury during the installation of a heavy and unwieldy patio door, an additional helper could be of great benefit. Furthermore, you should always wear solid shoes, safety gloves and protective goggles while drilling.

Milgard® Patio Doors

Create a beautiful home with high quality patio doors. Discover all the choices available and get inspired.

Let your patio door reflect your personal style. Explore the colors, styles and options Milgard has available for any new home or replacement patio door project.

Patio doors have come a long way in their ability to enhance the look and style of your home. Learn how Milgard custom made patio doors can help you add character to your home and make a statement with a free, no-obligation consultation from a Milgard Certified Dealer near you.

“The quality is far above the price of these doors.” – Portland, OR

Patio Door Product Series

Building a new home or replacing existing windows? Milgard has a great selection of products in a variety of materials and styles to brighten any home.

Suitability:
Replacement, New Construction

Styles:
Sliding with standard rail, Sliding with French rail, In-Swing and Out-swing in 2, 3, or 4-panel configurations

Innovation:
SmartTouch® handle on sliding doors, Signature vinyl formula

Suitability:
Replacement, New Construction

Styles:
Sliding in 2, 3, or 4-panel configurations

Innovation:
Narrow frame, Squared off door handle

Suitability:
Replacement, New Construction

Styles:
Sliding or Swing French doors in 2, 3, or 4-panel configurations

Innovation:
Strong and weather resistant

Suitability:
Replacement, New Construction

Styles:
Sliding doors in 2, 3, or 4-panel configurations

Innovation:
Thermally Improved insulating ability (region specific)

Suitability:
Replacement, New Construction

Styles:
Sliding doors in 2, 3, or 4-panel configurations

Innovation:
Thermally Improved insulating ability (region specific)

Suitability:
Replacement, New Construction

Styles:
Bi-fold, stacking panel or pocket doors up to 20 feet wide

Innovation:
Indoor Outdoor Living

Patio Door Operating Styles

Selecting the right patio door can make all the difference in how your home looks and functions. Whether you’re expanding your living area, or need to save space, Milgard can help you enjoy the view outside.

Sliding Patio Door

Sliding patio doors are a popular choice for many homeowners because they let in light and don’t protrude into the living space. This makes them a great option for rooms where space is limited. You can choose from standard rail or the wider look of a French sliding patio door with 2, 3 and 4 panel configurations.

French Style Sliding Patio Doors

French style patio doors offer an elegant touch to any home, with wider stiles and rails providing a classic, traditional look. A French sliding door operating style provides a beautiful look in rooms with tight spaces. Consider adding grids patterns for decoration or sidelites for additional daylight or venting.

In-Swing French Patio Doors

An elegant choice. These work well in areas with ample room for the door to swing freely without bumping into furnishings because the hinge is located on the inside of the house and the door swings inward. It also helps maintain usable exterior space. Add sidelites for additional daylight.

Out-Swing French Patio Doors

These patio doors offer the same look of wider stiles and rails that you’ll see in a sliding French door, but they swing outward on hinges that are located on the exterior of the home. This allows more room for furniture inside and creates a clean look to the interior frame. This is a great solution for expansive patio areas.

Pocket Moving Glass Walls

Despite their size, large sliding glass walls open and close easily. With Pocket patio doors, the panels tuck into the wall allowing the full width of the door opening to be accessible for foot traffic. When the door is fully open, all the panels disappear from view.

Bi-Fold Moving Glass Walls

These walls open smoothly and easily due to their stainless steel, ball bearing rollers. This is a great solution for replacement patio door projects because the weight of the door is bottom loaded, likely not requiring any additional support materials. As each panel is opened, it folds on top of the other like an accordion.

Stacking Moving Glass Walls

A Moving Glass Wall System can become a focal point in your home and highlight the entry onto your patio. With Stacking glass walls, each panel will stack on top of the other as it slides to open or close on an individual track. Typically the number of panels you choose corresponds with the number of tracks you will have.

Patio Doors

Custom Vistador Patio Doors

Want to enjoy an expansive view from the comfort of your own home? Choose Pollard Vistador Patio Doors. These doors are great if you are limited on space but they certainly will not limit your decorating style on the interior.

Vinyl interior and exterior

Maintenance-free vinyl exterior with warm wood interiors

Pollard Windows Customer Testimonials

Pollard Windows & Doors replaced our front door and side lights. We paid exactly what they quoted us. They cleaned up the area when the job was complete. They completed the job on time and arrived at the promised time. We would recommend them and use their services again.

I wanted to update and improve the look of my house as well making it more energy efficient. After meeting with the Pollard Window team, I was able to achieve and afford a design greater then my expectations. We are extremely pleased and happy with the product and service we received. Would recommend them highly!

Was doing a renovation and needed new basement windows. The projects were completed separately. I had Pollards install the windows in the basement which was done so quickly and easily. I have had no problems at all and so glad I had it done. The Windows in the addition are good but wish I had Pollards do the install – it would have been easier that way.

We own a 15 year old custom home with stucco exterior and large windows in rooms with 12 foot ceilings. We wanted to maintain the wood interior but move to maintenance free vinyl clad exterior. All of the contractors who provided estimates expressed concern that removal of the existing windows would damage the stucco. Only Pollard offered us a solution that preserved the stucco without any damage.

Everyone involved in each step of process from consulting, designing, ordering and accounting were very personable and professional. Windows and doors were designed and constructed exactly how desired. I am thrilled with the quality and overall look. Despite all other large orders of materials needed for project, this order was one of the simplest, timely and easiest transactions of them all. Much thanks to Pollard Windows!

Pollard is the only company I trust for my home. We have hired Pollard to replace almost every window in our home. Without fail the service is exemplary and the windows a major improvement to our home. We shopped around at the beginning of our home ownership but now we just make one call. We know we will find value and service together in one location.

We were very pleased with the quality of the job done. We had prior windows installed by a different company and weren’t too please with the installers, so when we wanted to complete our windows we were recommended Pollard by a friend. The two men from Pollard who did the installation were amazing, polite and knowledgeable. We wished we would have known about Pollard when we got the first windows done on our house.

How Much Does It Cost To Install Or Replace Patio Doors?

Typical Range: $1 200 — $10 000

Are you a Home Improvement or Service Pro?

Patio Door Installation Cost

Installing a patio door costs between $1,200 and $10,000, with most homeowners paying an average of $2,500. That price includes professional installation, which costs between $70 and $120 per hour. A typical job takes between three and five hours to complete.

Patio doors are unique because they need to both insulate your interior and offer a broad opening for exterior living space. Exact project costs depend on the materials and type of door you choose. Hiring a professional can help you get the job done quickly, safely, and correctly the first time.

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Patio Door Installation & Replacement Costs

Average Cost	$2,500
High Cost	$10,000
Low Cost	$1,200

Patio Door Prices

When installing or replacing your patio entrance, the door typically costs between $400 and $5,000. Standard patio doors are 80 inches tall and basic options are 72 inches wide. Many people prefer larger doors at 96 or 108 inches tall, while larger openings may require widths between 96 and 120 inches. Depending on materials that range from vinyl to wood, expect to pay:

Patio Door Cost by Material

Type of Frame	Average Standard Cost	For Larger Sizes
Vinyl	$300 — $800	$800 — $1,200
Aluminum	$600 — $1,000	$1,000 — $2,000
Fiberglass	$800 — $1,800	$1,800 — $3,500
Wood	$1,500 — $2,500	$2,500 — $5,000

The type of glass also affects total door cost. Custom options, like impact-resistant glass to withstand storms, decorative glass, built-in blinds, and built-in grids will increase patio door costs between 10% and 30%.

Patio doors are available at most major home improvement stores as well as directly from the manufacturer. When hiring a professional, doors, materials, and glass are included in the project quote.

Sliding Door Costs

A sliding patio door costs between $1,000 and $2,600. This option slides open left to right or vice versa, or multi-sliding, and is especially beneficial for areas with limited space surrounding the opening. Depending on required space, options range between two and four glass panels.

Sliding Door Costs

2-Panel	$300 — $1,500
3-Panel	$700 — $3,000
4-Panel	$2,000 — $5,000

French Doors

French patio doors cost between $500 for low-end options and $4,000 for large, pre-designed or custom alternatives. They are hinged to open at the center, swinging in or out on both sides to connect interior and exterior living space. Oversize models require either custom doors, or additional glass panels in the opening that do not swing open.

Telescoping

Telescoping patio doors cost between $1,500 and $5,000 or more in some cases. They feature three of more panels which slide past each other, widening the opening between the interior and exterior. The lack of a single, fixed panel also means more flexibility to open the patio door on either side.

Bi-Fold/ Folding Doors

Bi-fold or accordion-style doors tend to be the most expensive option at a price between $3,000 and $10,000. They allow for the widest opening, folding open all the way to the wall on one or both sides. Expect to pay between $500 and $900 per linear square foot.

Anderson Patio Doors

Andersen Windows and Doors sells french, hinged and gliding patio doors in an array of materials like wood, composite, vinyl and aluminum. They can be purchased at big box stores like Home Depot and typically range in cost from about $1,500 to $3,500.

Compare Quotes From Patio Door Installers

Average Cost to Install a Patio Door

Hiring a professional to install your patio door will cost between $400 and $1,400 in most situations. The total amount will include measuring and preparing the opening, trimming the door as needed, setting up the work site, and actual installation. Disposal of installation waste and other debris is typically included in the price.

Most contractors begin the project by evaluating the site and giving a quote. Conditions and size of project will determine door options and materials to be ordered. Several factors can alter installation costs. Delicate or custom materials don’t just cost more, but also require additional labor. Unfavorable site conditions may require additional installation. Pre-hung doors are more expensive, but decrease the installation price.

Patio Door Replacement Costs

The desire for upgrades or need to repair damage may lead you to consider replacing all or part of your existing patio door. Start by determining the scope of the problem and the items to be replaced. All costs below include a price between $100 and $300 for disposal of waste and existing materials, typically quoted as part of the overall replacement cost.

Full Door

Replacing your entire door costs between $600 and $5,000 including labor, depending on the style and size of the entrance you intend to install. A professional might be able to work around your existing frame and opening, reducing labor and material costs.

Glass

Replacing the glass in your patio door will cost between $150 and $1,000. That price includes labor, which ranges between $150 and $300 per project. Most standard options feature Low-E glass, which insulates the opening and prevents harmful UV rays from entering the home.

Patio Door Glass Costs

Single-Pane	$150 — $300
Low-E	$250 — $450
Energy Efficient	$350 — $600
Tempered	$400 — $600
Hurricane-Rated	$700 — $1,500

Sliding Panel

Replacing a single sliding panel on your patio door will cost between $450 and $700 in most cases. That price includes both labor and disposal of your existing, broken or unusable panel. Once you replace more than one panel in a three or four panel door, installing an entirely new door may offer a better ROI.

Rollers

Replacing your door roller costs between $20 and $40 for the part itself. Most products come with an installation kit and detailed instructions, helping you complete the job on your own. Professional labor adds another $75 to $130 to bring the total project cost to a range between $95 and $170.

Most patio door knobs and handles cost between $40 and $100. Professional labor could add $75 to $150. Total cost to replace your knob is between $120 and $250, with added costs depending on locking mechanisms.