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Replacing large glass slider with wall and window?

2K views 8 replies 9 participants last post by  SeniorSitizen 
#1 ·
We are looking to replace a huge slider (it's at least 8 feet wide) with one door, wall space, and a standard window.

Is this a project that can be done in one day? I've replaced windows before, installed cabinets, but this will be the first time we're doing work that impacts the outside of the house. Any advice is appreciated.
 
#2 · (Edited)
Your biggest challenge will be the flashing and opening up to remove the existing flashing (if any) and replacing the it with appropriate flashing to shed the water for the wall/door/window combination. Popping off some vinyl siding (if used) is easy with a cheap tool, but you may need to find some matching exterior surface that could be difficult.

The framing is reasonably easy, but you need to provide the correct rough openings for the new window. Stuff in insulation into all gaps around the rough opening. Make sure you have a primary moisture barrier on the new framing that will accept the flashing to shed the wind driven water.

Keep in mind that any door or window is a glorified opening in a wall that can be weather proofed with attention to details. - the average is that 2/3's of the doors and windows are not really installed properly, but that does not show up until years later.

Dick
 
#3 ·
Not clear from the post if the OPS is asking if he can do the work in one day, or a competent contractor can do the work in one day. Absolutely a competent contractor can do the work in one day, they have a crew, they have done this many times, they know exactly what they are doing, they have all the parts readily available, they have read the directions on the units they are installing before they show up, etc.

Can you do it in one day? My personal experience putting in an exterior French door may be similar. I had to remove a window, cut out the opening, install the rough framing, install a steel header, level the base, install the door, adjust the door, flash the door, insulate, install exterior and interior trim, fabricate and install a copper drip cap, prep for interior painting, and paint. The house was weathertight after the door was flashed.

It took me about 6 hours to demolish the old window and framing, level the floor, install the rough framing, and install the header. The opening was wide open at this point, we simply covered it with plastic sheet the first night. I did all this work solo, with a little help installing the steel header.

Second day we installed the door and base, adjusted it for square and plumb, flashed it, installed foam, and installed interior and exterior trim. This took about 5 hours or so, much of it taken up following Marvin instructions for flashing and sealing very carefully. We painted the interior several weeks later.

This may seem slow to you, but I had never put in a French door before, and I wanted to be meticulous. If the flashing is done poorly, the door is going to leak, and that is a common problem with exterior French doors that I wanted to avoid.
 
#4 ·
Not likely finished in one day by aThe GOOD news is that if the original door was installed properly, you don't have to worry about supporting the second floor, building headers, etc., etc. cut the thing out with a wrecking saw, toss it aside, and get to framing your rough openings. If you have the required materials on site, you could get everything in place up through the rough exterior in a day. Ron
 
#6 ·
Another thing to keep in mind, if you plan on doing it to code the window has to be tempered glass if within 24" of the door.
Removal of door, framing, install of new door and window as well as sheathing in one day is not unreasonable with experienced help. The exterior finishing would mist likely need an additional day.
 
#7 ·
Caulk to set and after-math may take you to second day. Always assume you need extra time, and make a list of anything you can imagine.
Since it's a slide door, you have to assume there may be structure damage under it. Only way to tell is once the frame is removed and judging to replace or cover up.
Any exterior to interior work, I always have tarp/gorilla tape, minimum, to close for over night.
 
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