How to Get Rid of Glass Patio Doors & Replace Them With Solid Doors

Removing the Glass Doors

• 1

  Remove the interior trim from around the door by cutting through the caulk around the trim with a utility knife and prying the trim off the wall.

• 2

  Unscrew the hardware that locks the sliding door into the track. Remove the door from the frame by lifting it up and leaning the bottom edge toward you.

• 3

  Remove the fixed panel from the door frame using the same process you used to remove the sliding door.

• 4

  Remove the exterior door trim by cutting through the paint and caulk around it with a utility knife, and prying it away from the door frame.

• 5

  Unscrew the door tracks from inside the door frame and remove them.

• 6

  Separate the aluminum door frame from the wooden framing by knocking it out with a hammer. Stand inside and knock the aluminum frame outside when doing this.

Installing the Pre-hung Double Storm Doors

• 7

  Check the threshold for level by placing a carpenter's level on it. Nail shims to the threshold, if needed.

• 8

  Place two strips of adhesive-backed aluminum tape on the threshold. Place one end of the strip on the side jamb about 2 inches from the bottom, then run the strip across the threshold and about 2 inches up the side of the other jamb.

• 9

  Place two thick beads of silicone caulk on top of the aluminum tape.

• 10

  Move the new doors into position by placing the bottom edge of the door on top of the threshold and sliding the top of the doors into place. Drive nails partway into the flange around the top of the doorway to hold it in position temporarily. Have someone help you with the door.

• 11

  Measure the diagonal distance across the doors in each direction. If the measurements match, that means that the frame is square. If the measurements are different, slide shims between the doors and the door frame of the house until they match. Trim the shims with a utility knife.

• 12

  Nail the flange to the wall by driving in nails every 6 to 8 inches.

• 13

  Cover the top of the flange on the door's exterior with aluminum tape.

• 14

  Measure the length of the top edge of the door frame, and cut a 2-by-4 board to fit. Glue a drip-cap to the board with carpenter's glue. The drip cap help prevents leaks from occurring from the door.

• 15

  Place the board with the drip cap into position over the doors, and nail it to the house. Nail the side trim to the sides of the door frame, then apply a thick bead of caulk along the joint between the trim and the side of the house to prevent leaks.

• 16

  Apply a coat of primer to the frame and allow it to dry, then paint the frame, if the doors are framed in unfinished wood. If the frame is a composite material, it doesn't need to be painted.

• 17

  Fill the gaps between the doors and the door frames along the interior wall with spray foam insulation. Install the interior casing around the door frame.

• 18

  Install the door lock and handle, following the manufacturer's instructions.