Sign up or log in to customize your list. Here's how it works: Anybody can ask a question The best answers are voted up and rise to the top We have a sliding glass door to our patio. The opening side is jammed up against a wall, meaning you have to scrape against that wall unless you throw the door all the way open. On the other side there's plenty of room. I had the thought to reverse the door so that the left side slid, instead of the right side. Now, given that glass doors are sold in left- and right-handed, I imagine this is a bit involved. But can it be done without replacing the entire unit? If so, what's involved? If the door can be reversed (and that's a big if) then I can't imagine it can be done without removing the entire door frame. The fixed pane is, well, fixed and unless you see a way to detach it from the frame and attach it to the other side then you may be out of luck. So let's assume you can't remove the fixed frame. Well, you could try rotating the door.
This should work, but it would put the rail on the outside of the door. I don't know how this exposure would affect the longevity of the product, and you'd certainly be prone to more things getting built up in the track. This also means that the exterior side of the glass would be facing the interior. A lot of modern glass has reflective coatings and treatments on the outside for energy efficiency purposes. You'd be losing this, and likely by making it worse in the summer (as energy would more readily penetrate and less readily escape). Lastly, if your door is flashed and sealed, and if it has a flange around the frame, it might not even fit the other way without sticking out of the siding, and if it's vinyl it likely has drain holes in the frame which would now drain into the house. You'd then have to reverse the lockset and handle on the door. This is probably the easiest part. But, in conclusion, you should recognize that you would likely: Need to remove the entire frame from the opening
Likely lose energy efficient properties from the glass treatment being reversed Expose your rail track to the exterior and additional wear Need to reverse your handle and lockset (and lose the ability to use the "bar in the track security method) Need to re-flash and re-seal the door (provided that there is a flange and that it's still usable) In my humble opinion, each of these together would warrant simply buying a new sliding door to replace this one. Because the door frame isn't really all that expensive. The issue is the labor of removing, replacing and resealing the door.... which I think you'd have to do either way. Did you find this question interesting? Sign up for our newsletter and get our top new questions delivered to your inbox (). With andersen the task of swapping sides is possible with a little work. What has to happen is all the holes for the handle, lock and latch has to be drilled into the opposite side. The most intricate will be the channel that houses the latch.
I cut that by using a large drill bit and making several holes then taking a dremel tool to finish. Finally you will need to plug the original holes with some kind of silicone or calking. I used white so it blends in. Then all you have to do is move the stationary door over and cut a new hole for the latch. ( I did not have to do this step because all I was trying to do is replace a broken opp door with one I found online, that happened to be the wrong side. ) Sign up or log in Sign up using Google Sign up using Email and Password Post as a guest By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service. Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged doors layout sliding-glass-door or ask your own question.We had them install new dual pane, low e windows about a year ago and they still look great. It only took them a day to install 5 windows and they were very courteous and prompt. Aaron C., Sacramento, CA We want to thank you for the exceptionally good work done on our windows.
The two men who worked on our widow were courteous and polite, they were also very efficient and fast. The older gentlemen explained all our questions we had. They also did a great job of cleaning up after themselves. We love our new windows and we had a lot of compliments on them. Al and Georgie D. Celli, )These guys are great, and I love supporting locally owned businesses. We have 2 dogs that love to scratch on the screen of our sliding glass door to get in or out. Of course, the screen was ruined, and the frame was bent, so we wanted to put that pet resistant screening in. We also had a double pane window in a bathroom that cracked. We also had 2 other window screens to be replaced. Southgate Glass came out and gave me an estimate that seemed too good to believe. They came out and did all that in about 1 1/2 hours, and the worker also added rollers to the bottom of my slider so it will now slide smoothly, fixed the track of the screen (which was originally installed upside down), and put 2 more screws on the sliding door lock so it wouldn't jiggle.
The invoice was exactly the same as the original quote.Based upon the reviews above, I'm going to call them for blinds. Andy B, Sacramento, CA )These guys came highly recommended from a friend and now I know why. They were very prompt, professional and inexpensive. I had them remove mirrors from two very large walls. They did a great job in a short period of time and cleaned up before hauling everything away. They will for sure be the company I call for any of my glass needs in the future. Anne K., Sacramento, CA Dear Southgate Glass & Screen,Just a quick note to say how pleased we are with out new windows and sliding glass doors. What a different they make! We live next to I-5 and we could always hear the roar of the freeway. Now it is like the freeway is not even there! Special thanks to Chuck, Willie and Poncho for doing a great job. They were courteous and on time each day. They worked well together and completed the job quickly and efficiently.We also wish to thank Marianne for coming to our home and giving us a detailed and professional analysis of our window and door needs.