What this covers
A sliding door moves one or more glass panels along a track instead of swinging, which saves floor space and allows very wide openings in multi-panel systems. Everything depends on the track being level and the frame square, so the installer prepares the subfloor, sets a sill pan, shims and fastens the frame carefully, then hangs the panels and adjusts the rollers so they glide without dragging and the lock meets cleanly. The exterior is flashed and sealed, interior casing set, and the screen fitted. Replacing worn rollers and a bent track on an existing door is a smaller job the same company does.
When to call
- A door that sticks, jumps the track or needs a shoulder to move.
- Fogged or cracked glass, or a lock that no longer catches.
- A wish for a wider wall of glass onto a deck or a view.
- Worn rollers and a damaged track on an otherwise sound door.
What to expect
- AssessThe company checks the opening, subfloor and header and whether repair or replacement makes sense.
- PrepareThe old unit is removed, the subfloor repaired, and a sill pan and flashing installed.
- Set and adjustThe frame is shimmed level and square, panels hung and rollers adjusted to glide.
- Seal and finishThe exterior is sealed, casing and screen fitted, and the door tested with you.
Get a certified company
Look up a certified company by ZIP code. Every company's license, insurance and trades are verified before it is listed, and placement is never paid.
Questions people ask
Why does a sliding door get hard to move?
Rollers wear flat, dirt packs the track, or the frame has settled out of level. New rollers and a track cleaning fix most of them; a frame out of square needs resetting.
How wide can a sliding door be?
Two-panel doors commonly run six to eight feet; multi-panel systems that stack or pocket into the wall can span most of a room. The header is sized to the opening.
Can the glass be replaced alone?
Yes. A fogged or cracked panel's insulated glass unit can be replaced in the existing frame if the frame and rollers are sound.
Related: Patio door installation · French door installation · Window glass repair · All siding, windows and doors
This page describes what the service involves. The company you hire sets the scope, the schedule and the price, and your contract is with that company. We verify credentials and collect reviews from real jobs. We do not guarantee any company's workmanship. Safety steps are general guidance. When in doubt, leave the home and call 911.