How To Explain Patio Door Repairs To Your Grandparents Tilt and Slide Patio Door Repairs

A functional tilt and slide patio door offers fresh air, light and easy movement between indoors and outdoor. Modern aluminium doors offer toughness and durability, thermal integrity and a range of glass options that offer various aesthetics.

One of the most frequent problems with sliding doors is the dirty tracks and rollers. Cleaning and Lubricating these moving parts regularly will ensure that your door is operating well.

Track and Roller Replacement

Tracks and rollers are the main elements of sliding doors. They are situated at the bottom of a door panel made of aluminum, and they sit on a raised track that guides them when they open and close. Over RepairMyWindowsAndDoors , dirt may cause the tracks to get blocked and cause the rollers to be damaged. Keeping your patio door clean and well-lubricated will help avoid these issues.

Unless your track is severely bent, it is usually possible to fix the track and rollers without completely taking the door off. You can ask a friend to assist you in lifting the panel off the track by tilting it toward you (Photo 3). It may take some effort since the panels can be heavy. Once the panel is removed and laid flat on sawhorses, then examine the rollers. If they are damaged, replace them with a new assembly. You can also alter the height of the rollers by turning adjustment screws- typically located in slots near the edge of the door panel.

If the rollers look in good condition, they may only require cleaning and lubricated. Take the rollers off with a screwdriver and wash them with denatured alcohol. This will get rid of any grime or dirt that may be causing the resistance. After carefully placing each roller in its slot, fully retract it by using the adjustment screw. And lastly, spray the rollers with silicone spray. This type of lubricant won't retain dirt as petroleum-based products do, and will make your door glide smoothly.

After cleaning and reinstalling rollers, you can install and test the door to make sure the track is aligned properly with the rollers. Also, ensure that the doors move smoothly. Contact a local dealer if need help. Keep your doors clean and lubricated to prolong their lifespan and reduce the need for repairs. We recommend a silicone lubricant since it does not attract dirt like WD-40. It is recommended to lubricate your rollers and tracks at least once a month.

Insect Screen Replacement

The sliding patio doors are a great way to maximize floor space, allow airflow and allow in beautiful panoramic views. However, they can be a problem when the mechanism isn't working properly or has stopped moving completely. Fortunately, the majority of issues with sliding screen doors are easily resolved. Dirty rollers caused by debris in the track or a wrinkly screen are common culprits, but you can usually repair them by following these simple steps.

If your screen is looking sagging or wrinkled, place a 1x4 underneath each end of the frame to create an unnatural bend in the middle. This will allow the screen to be pulled tight and straighten it.

Make sure you purchase a replacement screen that is a couple of inches larger than the frame's opening in both directions. You'll be able cut any excess. Then, use a spline roller tool to push the rubber spline end into the channel. Once you've completed this, it is time to insert the remainder of your spline.

Adjusting the Panel

The tilt and slide mechanism allows you to widen the patio doors for ventilation while keeping your pets, children, and other household members away. Despite the convenience of this system, they tend to require more force than they are expected to and over time, this leads to an increase in friction, uneven tracks, or misalignments that could cause the door to fail. Identifying these problems early and making minor adjustments can often resolve these issues, reducing the necessity for expensive replacement hardware.

The first step for adjusting a tilt-and-slide patio door is removing the panel. Place it on a flat surface. After the panels have been removed and set on a flat surface, you can use a screwdriver to remove the plastic hole caps from each of the adjustment rollers. Once these are removed, the adjuster can be pulled out of its channel using the long shaft screwdriver. After removing the adjuster, clean it using denatured or ruby alcohol. This will remove any grit that is causing resistance and allow the roller to slide easily into its channel after the process is complete.

When you are reinstalling the moveable panel, align it with its frame and use a drill to drive in the screws across the flange. The flange should be secured tightly to the door's edge and ensure that the flaps are oriented correctly. When the movable panel is in place, apply a bead of silicone-based lubricant onto the top track arm connector block and the lead Bogie wheel and the slave Bogie wheel, and then replace the plastic cap on the hole.

Repeat the procedure on each of the two other moving panels to restore slide function. Then, put back the plastic flanges. Using a plastic adhesive, glue the jamb-side strip to its fixed panel. Attach the handle after the glue has dried and examine the smoothness of the operation. If the issue persists then adjust the lead Bogie by getting rid of it, cleaning it and installing it with a silicone-based grease.

Charley Bar Installation

A patio door is an efficient way to let your pet into and out of your home, but it is also a point of easy entry for burglars. You can enhance the security of your patio door by installing a pin lock or an charley bar. These devices provide a combination of convenience, security and ease that is unmatched on the market.


The Charley bar is a great option for your sliding glass door, and can be easily installed at home. The charley bar can be installed in the middle of your door and stops the patio door from being jimmied open with tools or other items, like the hockey stick or broom handle. The charley bars are constructed from injection-molded polycarbonate tubes and extruded RPVC tubing, which makes them tough and durable.

The installation of the charley bars requires that you first take a measurement of the length of the bar from the edge the track for sliding doors up to the sliding patio door. Then, mark the points where the charley bars will go with pencil. Utilize an eighth-inch drill to make holes in the wall jambs and patio door frames, but be careful not to damage the glass of the patio doors. Finally, place the screws included with the charley bars and make sure they are tightened securely.

The charcoal bars are a great option for sliding glass patio doors or windows with sash. This simple security device will keep your patio sliding doors safe from burglars and tampering for years to be. It is made of polycarbonate that has been injected and has been tested by Intertek to withstand more than 400 pounds of pressure. The charley bar is lockable with the included key. It's easy to install and is kept away from danger when it's not being used. Most hardware stores sell a charley bar. However, if you want to purchase one that is guaranteed to work, you should consider purchasing a charley bar from an online retailer.