How to Install Glass French Doors With Side Lights

Clear the doorway of excess material. Position the door frame in the doorway, marking any sections of the wall that interfere with the frame. Cut them out with a reciprocating saw. Repeat the process until the frame fits perfectly and snugly within the doorway.

Turn off the power to the area from the circuit box. Run a hardwired electrical line through the wall to the doorway and drill a hole for the conduit in the doorway frame. Set the door frame near the doorway and connect the light wires to the electrical line coming from the doorway. Cover the connection and the door frame wire with flexible conduit, and then securely connect them.

Spread waterproof caulking around the door frame's outside edge. Slide the frame in place in the doorway with the help of the assistants, keeping the electrical setup in place throughout. Wipe off any excess caulking with a moist rag.

Open the doors and have an assistant hold the frame in place. Using a 3-foot carpenter's level, check the straightness of each of the door frame's four parts. Adjust them as necessary by hammering shims between the frame and the doorway. Break off any shims sticking out beyond the frame.

Drill holes into the doorway through each of the frame's predrilled holes, or drill your own holes through the frame and into the doorway, spacing the holes every 12 inches. Set a dab of caulking on each hole and put a 3-inch galvanized wood screw in each one. Tighten all the screws halfway. Check the frame for straightness again with the level. Fully tightening the screws completes the installation. Check the doors' operationand make any necessary adjustments enabling the doors to open and close.