Patio Doors

CctbOh asked:


I am confused about the different materials that the doors are made from. The door will not be directly exposed to any weather as it will be between the entrance to a unheated/uncooled sunroom. I’ve looked at steel doors at Lowes and Home Depot which are relatively cheap compared to custom ordering a door. Would one of the steel doors be that I can buy in stock now be suitable for my situation?

Interactive Kitchen Design

Dominic Donaldson asked:


Protecting your personal property is a major factor in modern day living. With hi-fi and wi-fi, plasma TV and Wii, each home on average has thousands of pounds worth of electrical goods. These goods can fetch a pretty penny on the ’second hand’ market, and therefore are a desirable haul for suburban opportunists, for want of a better term. There was a time when the family fortunes were tied up in the family jewels, and a safety box behind an oil painting did the job of deterring a burglar. But with electrical goods that are part and parcel of everyday life, there isn’t the option of hiding the goods from prying eyes, so home security has to take a new stance.

Implementing security systems can be a costly and some say a false economy. Cameras and floodlights can all be sabotaged by the most incompetent thief, and often draw attention to a residence. The presence of expensive security equipment is like a neon sign saying that there is a veritable treasure chest of goods inside that are well worth trying to steal. The better option for deterring a break-in is a more subtle method. Simply make your house a fortress the old fashioned way. The biggest deterrent is by making the place look secure whilst not giving away that there is much of any consequence inside.

I’m not talking moat, drawbridge and portcullis here, but external doors and windows have to be well made and sturdy without making the property look like Alcatraz gaol. It is important to keep these external features in line with the aesthetics of the property to avoid reducing the value of your home, and the best way to do this is by having external doors specially made for the property. Many insurance companies expect doors to have deadbolts or mortise locks for security reasons, and if you don’t have these already, the insurance terms may be compromised, so investing in new doors has an immediate financial incentive.

External doors can be manufactured from hardwood for an authentic period look to suit a Victorian, Edwardian or rural property. They can also be made from a composite of materials that have properties that exceed the reliability of traditional timber. Composites are generally UV resistant and so do not fade after exposure to the sun, keeping the exterior looking maintained; and a well maintained house looks like a protected one. There are also a number of types of patio doors with double and triple glazed safety glass that can be installed at the rear of a property that will be a secure yet attractive addition to the home.

Other security measures can be a little more subtle, but deterrents are still the key. Having exotic foliage with spiny leaves under windows is not perceived by many as a security feature, but an opportunistic burglar will think twice if considering a break in, as it makes a clean escape less likely. Flower beds are also likely to keep prying eyes away from windows, as footprints are commonly used as evidence in a break-in scenario. However, none of these factors outweigh the impact of a secure and well maintained door to protect the family fortress from foraging thieves.



Making Money With Vending Machines

Bill Spiez asked:


When getting ready to install new French patio doors into your home, there are two  styles to choose from:Gliding patio doors and hinged patio doors. Hinged patio doors open and close like conventional doors, and with an outswing design  will  save a great deal of interior space.  Plus , their look can be  accentuated  with the addition of a number of  beautiful features that add to the classic look of the doors. One  popular  feature is to add grilles, which breaks up sunlight  breathtakingly  as it enters the home. As with all doors, hinged patio doors should always be positioned within the normal flow of traffic in and out of the home. They’re  ideal for decks, bedrooms, patios and balconies. The addition of French patio doors to any room of your home will be sure to add natural light and a timeless beauty.

When  area  is  limited , gliding doors allow you to come and go  easily  without having to be concerned about  interior or exterior furniture placement or  possible exterior obstacles. A gliding patio door  has two or more panels made with glass, with one panel  sliding past the other, to give your home a  modern, yet classical feel . As with  most  hinged patio doors, gliding patio doors  should be  placed  within the normal flow of traffic in and out of your home.

Selecting  the patio doors that are right for you all come down to preference. No matter which doors you choose, French patio doors will fill your home with natural sunlight every day of the year. These beautiful additions have been  displayed  since first installed at the Palace of Versailles, and will give your home the endearing beauty of a classical palace, or a modern villa. Whatever style of French patio doors you choose will be a fine decision that will immediately add excellence and prestige to your home.



How To Build A Fireplace

Boyang asked:


The flooring is installed vertically, and the patio door is horizontal. I know I can use an End Moulding horizontally to cover the floor end and to attach to the door’s dottom frame. But I saw some new homes and they do not have a end moulding. They just use a (narrow) plank to connect the floor and the door’s bottom frame. How does this work do? Thanks

Custom Closet Doors

Derek Rogers asked:


It is part of the frustration of our fast moving world that improvements are continually becoming available on most products - often making our purchases “last season’s” within months. On the up-side, it is also the reason why, as consumers, we enjoy more and more choice.

Replacement windows and doors used to be available in grey aluminium if you didn’t want wood and the styles rarely improved the aesthetics of the buildings they adorned. Consequently, we are left with a legacy of spoiled period homes which in some cases constitute a fire hazard because windows were designed without large enough opening sashes to escape through.

And then they became available in white PVCu which were initially cheap and of poor quality and poor design but which went on to become the excellent quality they are today and designed to suit the house - not the pocket. As the old-fashioned designs become obsolete, home owners now have a plethora of window and door styles and materials to choose from. The majority of products’ enhancements reach a plateau at some point when the essentially ideal has been achieved and what follows are simply tweaks. As with all home improvement products, doors are no exception.

For many years, there has been a very big market for patio doors, which offer convenience and allow light and air into a home whilst providing a highly effective thermal barrier when closed. This market is still buoyant and the products will continue to be installed successfully in homes where economics or taste insist, but fairly recent developments in this market looks to have found us at that plateau where doors are concerned. Patio doors have recently made way for the “Rolls Royce” in this market which is now the hugely flexible bifolding door. Anyone looking to buy patio doors now should first be considering whether they could increase their investment to a bifolding door.

Bifold doors can be configured to span a very wide aperture or smaller spaces, behaving when closed as a glass wall to allow in increased light and to provide panoramic views over the outside vista or garden. They can very easily open up an entire wall to allow seamless integration of external and internal areas, for example, for parties or for children to play safely inside and outside on a lovely day. Alternatively, they can serve to expand available space in restricted areas, such as allowing inclusion of a balcony to form part of a small apartment on a clement day or lightening up an otherwise dark corner.

Fully opened, the doors concertina and store compactly to left, right or both sides to limit their intrusion. They can be configured to provide french style doors when full opening is not required and a single opening door for pedestrian access in the normal way.

Available in most modern materials, including timber, aluminium, PVCu and aluminium clad timber, this product is available in a wide range of colours and finishes from specialist window companies. It is particularly attractive in aluminium clad timber where the choice of colour on the maintenance-free aluminium outside can complement your home’s exterior whilst the beauty and warmth of wood can enhance any interior.

A not insignificant investment, this product should last, trouble free, for very many years. It is essential to ensure that your supplier can offer all of the many security features available for bifold doors which make them a high security option, suitable for commercial use by garages displaying high worth cars and restaurants alike. The manufacturer should use only a top quality sliding mechanism for guaranteed trouble free use and should offer the widest range of materials and finishes to ensure you are happy with your investment for many years to come. As a new product, not all door manufacturers can offer these and consumers should be prepared to shop around and ensure that they buy the best quality from a reputable manufacturer.



Painted Kitchen Cabinets

Mr. C asked:


i bought a new one i just need to know what materials i need to take out the old door and put in the new one

Modern Lighting Choices

Trevor Price asked:


The deluxe Patio Pet Door by PetSafe is designed to be easily customizable to almost any sliding patio door. With its spring action tension, you should have a doggie (or kittie) door up and running in minutes. But, will it stay in place? Can it really be as simple as PetSafe says? For a helpful review of the product, read on.

Main Features

The main feature of the PetSafe Patio Pet Door is that it’s adjustable, allowing it to fit into almost any patio door system without the need for cutting or screwing. The next best advantage on this innovative product is that it’s lockable, with a reversible lock that you can place on the right or left. For added security, the deluxe version comes with a stronger, more durable lock.

Last but not least, the PetSafe patio door comes with a lifetime warranty - protecting you against product failure.

Cost of the Product

The deluxe Patio Pet Door usually sells for just over $155. It’s more expensive than cut-in doors, especially if you’re doing the work yourself, but a great solution for renters or those on the move. Also, if you need to hire a contractor to install a permanent door, you could wind up paying a lot more.

Quality of the Product

Many homeowners complain about the low-quality sealant and weather stripping that comes with the PetSafe patio door. It’s simply not enough to hold the door in place or keep inclement weather out and your valuable heating or air conditioning in.

As a solution, many owners are purchasing their own silicone sealant and weather stripping to bring the PetSafe patio door up to par. So, when comparing this product or budgeting, expect to pay an additional $10 to $15 for better-quality stripping and sealant supplies.

Is it Easy to Install?

As long as your sliding patio door is no lower than 77 ¾” and no higher than 82″, you can pop the PetSafe patio door right into place. However, once you’ve got the door in vertically, you may have to do some minor adjusting to get the right sideways fit.

Be prepared to install your own weather stripping and sealant to make sure the door fits tightly and with a good seal. Next, have a drill and screwdriver on hand so you can screw the PetSafe patio door into place. That said, with all the work, it’s still an easy install and shouldn’t take more than half an hour to get into place.

Drawbacks

Next to the weather stripping problem, the main issue most buyers have with this product is the gap around the pet door flap. Whether it’s letting in air or bugs and creatures, it can become a real issue. Try weighting the bottom or installing your own piece of heavy-duty plastic.

Final Considerations

For the price, the PetSafe Deluxe Patio Pet Door is a great buy. It provides a temporary solution and doesn’t require any major carpentry. However, homeowners need to be prepared to do a little extra work to make this pet door really “fit.”



Stained Glass Fireplace Screen

nick asked:


This is a step by step guide to installing a patio door to an existing house wall.

 

A patio door can open a house onto a decking area or just a normal outside area, provide a great outdoor view, let more light into your home and easy access to the back garden. 

 

To install a patio door follow these tips:-

 

1) Choose a structurally sound location

2) Do not choose an area which is more than 4 feet from any corner

3) Turn of the electrics and also your water supply (to the wall you are installing the patio door)

4) Remove any obstructions on the interior door

5) Refer to the doors included “guideline installations specification” for the dimensions -(the opening of the door will be slightly wider than the door frame.  The extra space allows for squaring the frame)

6) Mark cut lines running all the way to the ceiling (the interior wall above will be removed to build the header).

7) Remove the wall board, insulation, and relocate any wiring or piping – framing studs will also have to be removed to allow room for the new door so install temporary studs from floor to ceiling to floor.

Install the header at the top of the opening, the thickness should equal the thickness of the framing studs.

9) Use nails to fasten each end to full studs.

10) Once you have revealed the bare brick, use a masonry saw, demolition hammer, or circular saw with a diamond blade to open the wall – gradually expand the hole but keep the bricks intact to reuse around the frame of the installed door.

11) Install a steel lintel above the frame flush with the top course, even with the header – mortar into place.

12) At this point, you may need somebody to help you install the frame of the door.

13) Drive nails through the flange into the trimmer stud and fasten to the header – make sure sides are level.

14) Install the panels according to the manufacturer’s instructions – hardware and parting stops will be included.

15) Make sure the rollers are centered on the sill guide and that they ride smoothly.

16) Fill any exposed cavities with insulation.

17) Add new wallboard and trim boards to the interior.

18) Finish the project by using the retained bricks along the side of the doorframe using mortar.

 



Fishing Tackle And Accessories

Gord316 asked:


the doors part of a glass door , the glass locks but not the screen, i dont know how to make my kitty safe

Outdoor Solar Lighting

kathy b asked:


How do we know what side of the glass they put it on?

Custom Closet Doors