Installing a patio sliding door can be exciting. There are many questions people ask when doing so. One of them being can you install a patio sliding door on a concrete pad.
In this blog post we will go over whether or not it’s possible.
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Answer To The Question Can You Install A Patio Sliding Door On a Concrete Pad:
It is possible to install a patio sliding door on a concrete pad, but it is not for everyone. The dilemma is which sort of insulation to use in the door frame, and for each square foot of area with an unfaced gasket, you’ll require closed-cell foam.
Installing a door on a beam and blocking up around the perimeter, which would require 12 pounds (5 kg) of closed-cell foam or 17 pounds (7 kg) of open-face foam beneath each square foot with an unfaced gasket, could be more expensive.
Whether you’re placing patio sliding doors on a concrete pad or a beam or blockings, both methods have their drawbacks.
How do you install a sliding door on a concrete slab?
It depends. The best method depends on the door, the slab, and what is in the way (e.g., plumbing, heating ducts).
It’s straightforward to install a sliding door without anything special at all; nail board along where you want your threshold to be so that it doesn’t slip around when you open and close your door.
If your slab is level, the door frame should be level too. If the difference is more than an inch in any direction, it may be necessary to use shims underneath the frame’s edge to make it level.
Both doors must have threshold strips on both sides before installing or risk binding when they open and close. Remove old nails with a flathead screwdriver, so you don’t damage new nail points, then use metal lath to hold the track in place while you drive new nails into the floorboard.
Do one side tightly, then move that end down two inches for a gap between the door edge and floorboard. Install the second door if leaving an opening for future concrete slab expansion without creating a too-narrow gap where entries won.
Why Is It No Good to Put a Patio Sliding Door Directly On Concrete?
There are a few reasons why you might not want to put a patio sliding door directly on concrete.
One reason is that it can be difficult to install the door frame properly if the slab is not level. If the frame is not level, the door may not close properly or may be difficult to open and close.
Another reason is that concrete can be cold and damp, which can cause the door to rust or deteriorate over time.
Finally, if there is no insulation between the concrete and the door frame, the cold concrete can cause the door to stick or freeze shut.
What Are Some Other Things To Keep In Mind When Installing a Patio Sliding Door On Concrete?
1. If installing the door on a concrete patio, ensure the surface islevel. You may need to use a shim to adjust the doorframe’s height so that it’s even with the surrounding surface.
2. Ensure there’s adequate space between the door and any walls or other objects nearby, especially if you’re using a sliding glass door. There should be at least 1″ of clearance on each side of the door.
3. Check that your door’s tracks are clean and debris-free before installation.
4. It’s best to have someone help you install the door, especially if it’s a sliding glass door. Have one person hold the door in place while another attaches.
5. The door should only be installed in a level concrete patio. If the deck is not level, you will have problems with the door sliding correctly.
6. The opening for the door should be framed out so that the door has something to slide against. If you do not frame the space, the door will not seal properly, and you will get a lot of air leakage.
7. Make sure you use a good-quality patio door lockset. A cheap lockset will not provide much security and may fail over time.
8. Check to make sure that the track for the door is well lubricated and free of any debris before installing the door.
Conclusion
Sliding doors need to be sized not only to the patio but also in a way that assures they will close and latch effectively. A slider adjustment can make sure it closes appropriately by lifting on the bottom of the door, which gives you space to slide in a temporary metal strip or hardboard shim behind or below it if it does not close or latches tightly.
It’s also essential to choose one with weather-stripping (sometimes called draft-stopping) if your sliding patio door doesn’t already have to seal around the frame, at least where interior walls meet exterior walls. This vertical rubber strip is sandwiched between two vertical pieces of felt horizontally along either side.
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