Worksite Prep

      

Patio doors (commonly called sliding glass doors) can make a wonderful addition to nearly any room because they let in so much light. You must use caution with this project, as you will be altering the house framing. Be aware that weatherproofing is essential for patio doors. Also, the units are quite heavy, so line up some help for the installation.

Wall studs support ceiling and roof structures. Some studs may have to be removed to make way for wide patio doors. Build a temporary 2X4 wall from floor to ceiling about two feet inside the proposed door opening. This will support the ceiling and roof while you remove the existing studs and install the new patio door framing header and studs.

WORK SITE PREPARATION:
Turn power off at the circuit breaker which serves all electrical receptacles and light switches on the wall into which the new patio door will be installed. If you believe plumbing pipes are located inside the wall, turn water off at the main shut-off valve.

Remove baseboard molding, any ceiling or wall trim, shelves, and pictures from the wall. Take down pictures and other objects hanging from adjacent walls, as installation activities may cause them to fall. Tape a sheet of plastic over the floor to protect it from sawdust and debris. Have safety goggles and dust masks available for you and your helpers.

CONVENTIONAL WOOD FRAMING:
The most common type of house construction consists of many pieces of lumber-studs, headers, rafters, joists-that are nailed together in a rigid framework. This framework, or framing, is the skeleton of a house. There are two types of framing techniques: platform and balloon framing. (This article does not address timber frame and masonry construction houses. Their walls have different load-bearing characteristics.)

For the past several decades, platform framing has been the most common type of house framing. The floor structure forms a "platform" upon which the walls are framed. Balloon framing is rarely used today, but you may encounter it in older houses. It consists of long pieces of lumber that reach from the foundation to the roof.

Nailed to the exterior of the framing is sheathing. Sheathing consists of plywood or some other wood panel product. Siding is then attached over the sheathing. Inside the framing, walls are finished with either plaster and lath, wood or wood-product paneling, or drywall. This booklet assumes the walls are finished with drywall using paper tape seams and joint compound.

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