How to Remove Sliding Patio Door

Sliding patio doors are a suburban staple in America – for good reason. They are both practical and can visually make a small room larger. They also make spaces feel brighter, more open, and more connected to their surroundings. So why remove them?

These doors have a sliding mechanism that can wear out over time, so they must be removed for easier maintenance. But that’s not the only reason. Sliding patio doors have a timeless aesthetic appeal, but they have aged poorly in terms of energy efficiency and security.

Whatever the reason, removing sliding glass doors can be tricky without the right tools and safety measures. They must be handled carefully, or the glass can easily shatter and hurt you. Don’t worry. We’ve been doing this since 1979!

Here’s everything you need to remove your sliding door safely.

Tools and Safety Gear for Removing Sliding Patio Doors

Removing sliding glass doors doesn’t require special skill, but it does call for thoughtful preparation. There are several tools and additional items you need to do this safely.

Sliding Glass Doors Removal Tool Checklist

Here’s what tools to grab from your garage:

Flathead screwdriver

You’ll need a quality screwdriver with a narrow tip for precision to help you remove screws and release latch mechanisms without damaging the door.

Flat prying bar

A flat prying bar is useful for gently loosening the door frame or track. Without this specialized tool, you risk bending or breaking the frame’s material.

Reciprocating saw

Sometimes, the sliding door frame or track is glued or permanently affixed in some other way. A reciprocating saw can help you cut through adhesives.

Additional Items for Sliding Glass Doors Removal

These items will keep you and the door safe:

Foam sheets

We don’t recommend starting removal without protecting the glass panels, the floor, and other surfaces from cracking and scratches with foam sheets.

Safety glasses

Please protect your eyes with suitable glasses while removing the sliding door. There’s always a risk of glass shattering or debris hurting your eyes.

Flathead screws

Sliding glass doors are heavy. Use flathead screws to keep the track components securely in place while removing other elements of the door.

Safety Measures to Protect Yourself and the Door

Before you start unscrewing screws and loosening the floor frame, take some time to carefully secure the space. You need to protect both the door and yourself.

• Put the safety glasses on, and don’t take them off until you finish.
• Fix foam sheets over glass panels to protect them from breaking.
• Use foam sheets to cover the walls and floor underneath the door.

Ideally, you should have a helper to safely remove a sliding door. Doing this typically requires at least two people because sliding doors could be pretty heavy, and glass is very fragile. It’s wise to have somebody hold the door while you’re removing screws and then help you lift it.

Other Key Considerations When Removing Sliding Doors

In addition to tools, gear, and safety measures, there are a couple of other pre-steps you should take before you move on with removing your sliding glass door.

Prepare Your Work Area

Before you start, you must step away from the door and look around the place. Do you have enough room to handle and safely store the door panels as you remove them? Plan where to put your tools so they are at your arm’s reach, but you don’t trip on them.

Assess the Project Scope

There’s no shame in calling a professional. If you assess that the door panels are too heavy and you proceed without anyone to help you, you risk causing damage and hurting yourself. This is not a very difficult project, but you still need to know how to use a screwdriver.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Remove Sliding Patio Doors

Now that you have everything ready follow these steps to remove the door:

Step 1: Remove the Screen Door

There are three large components in front of you: the screen door, the sliding door, and the stationary panel. Most sliding doors work by sliding one component over the other. Consequently, you need to do this in the right order, or you’ll have a difficult time accessing all components.

First, you must remove the screen door to access the sliding door. The glass screen is often the lightest and most fragile component, so it’s smart to get it out of harm’s way.

• Start by sliding the screen door along the bottom track. This will allow you to access the frame.
• To remove the glass screen, use a flathead screwdriver to slightly lift the door off the track.
• Place the screen door in a safe place where it can’t be knocked over and won’t get in your way.

Step 2: Remove the Sliding Panel

Now, you should have full access to the sliding panel. It is typically fastened with lots of screws and bolts, so keep your tools at hand and have someone to keep the door in place.

• First, locate the adjustment screws on the sliding panel. They are usually near the bottom track.
• Adjust the lower rollers with a flathead screwdriver. This will loosen the sliding panel enough for you to lift it.
• Lift the sliding panel and remove it from the track. Be very careful. Don’t let its weight surprise you.

Step 3: Remove the Stationary Glass Door

The stationary panel is the third and largest fixed component in a sliding door. The fact that you can’t move it around like other panels doesn’t mean it can’t be removed.

• Locate the screws, brackets, or other fasteners that keep the stationary door in place.
• Use a trusty screwdriver and carefully unscrew or unbolt the fasteners from the panel.
• If the previous step doesn’t make the panel loose, use the flat praying bar to loosen it.
• When the panel is loose enough, carefully pull it from the frame and put it somewhere safe.

Step 4: Disassemble the Door Frame (If Needed)

You don’t have to disassemble the door frame if you’re only replacing glass panels or taking them down for maintenance. However, if you’re replacing your entire door or in case the frame itself is cracked or broken, we’re afraid you have one more step to complete. Here’s how:

• Use a screwdriver to remove the screws that keep the door frame fastened to the wall.
• Take a prying bar and work gently around the edges of the frame to separate it from the wall.
• If the frame is glued to the wall, use a reciprocating saw to carefully cut through the glue.
• Pull the door frame away from the wall. This requires some force, so have someone to help you.

What Happens After Removing the Sliding Patio Door?

You’ve safely removed your old sliding door! What’s next? Here are some tips from our experts to help you properly dispose of used glass and prepare for installing a new door.

Proper Disposal or Repurposing of Old Doors

You can’t just throw out used glass panels on the street and have somebody hurt themselves. Most municipalities have specific guidelines for disposing of large items and glass, so check with your local waste management service how to do this safely and responsibly.

If you have enough storage space in your household, we strongly advise you to keep old glass doors and frames. These are valuable materials that can be used for different types of DIY projects. For example, you can repurpose them as room dividers or garden enclosures.

Prepare for a New Door Installation

If you have a new door coming in, you should clean the bottom track and make sure the door jambs aren’t damaged.

Remove Your Sliding Patio Door with Confidence

With the right tools and a step-by-step guide, most people are able to remove a sliding glass door themselves. But if you’ve never used a screwdriver before or don’t feel confident in your abilities to do this on your own, you should consider contacting a professional.

Our experienced crew at Adkins & Sons Windows has been successfully removing old sliding glass doors and installing new ones for a long time. If you need help with any of these steps or if you want us to do everything instead of you, we’re just a phone call away.

FAQs

How can I remove a sliding panel if it’s stuck in the bottom track?

You should be able to remove a stuck sliding panel by cleaning and lubricating the track. In addition to this, you should also loosen the screws to adjust the rollers and then lift the door by tilting it slightly. If this doesn’t work, use a prying bar to loosen the door.

What’s the safest way to lift a heavy glass door panel?

Glass door panels can be very heavy, so use your legs instead of your back to avoid getting hurt. If you can’t lift heavy weights, the safest way to do this is to have help.

Can I remove the door frame without damaging the walls?

Yes. Start by removing the door panels. When you have an empty frame, remove any screws that keep it fastened to the wall. If necessary, use a flat prying bar to gently separate the frame from the wall.

How long does it take to remove a sliding patio door?

Removing a sliding patio door shouldn’t take more than two hours, but this depends on factors like the door’s size and condition. If you’re working with broken or stuck components, the process might take longer.