How To Remove A Sliding Screen Door
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If you are the owner of a home with sliding screen doors, theres a good chance those doors will develop problems. Sometimes they dont roll as smoothly as they should, which could be due to an accumulation of grime in the tracks. Most problems are easily solved by temporarily removing the door so repairs can be made. However, sliding screen doors are made of fragile parts. Knowing what steps to take in removing the door can help you do so with little risk of damage to the door or its parts.
Prepare And Waterproof The Opening
- 3.1-For a new door with nailing fin, remove sufficient exterior vinyl cladding around the opening.
- 3.2-Ensure that all parts of the frame are in good repair. Remove all debris.
- 3.3-Apply self-adhesive flexible waterproof flashing to the sill and 6″ up each jamb. The membrane must cover the drip cap or the building paper on the exterior wall, under the sill.
- 3.4-Cut the corners of the flashing to facilitate folding. Cover the entire door sill.
- 3.5-Apply self-adhesive flexible waterproof membrane to exposed surfaces on both sides of the opening.
- 3.6-Fold the surplus to wrap around the jambs.
- 3.7-Always insert the membrane under the existing exterior cladding.
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Method 3 Of 3:replacing Rollers On An Aluminum Door

Begin Placing The Spline Into Channel In A Corner
Photo By: Lucie Rowe
Replace the Spline
It’s advisable in most cases to replace the spline along with the screen material. Spline is inexpensive and can be purchased at most home stores .
Once you’ve creased the screen all the way around the frame, begin placing the spline in the channel. Start on one side and use your fingers to push the spline into the channel from one side of the screen to the other . Try to install the material so that it is neat and flat, but don’t worry about getting the screen overly tight.
Special Order A Replacement Screen Door
Ok, so if you cant bank on any standard replacement screen slider to fit, then why not just special order a new one?
Maybe youre fine paying a few extra dollars for a custom-made door.
The problem?
Well, most window and door guys are not into selling you JUST the sliding screen door. It simply isnt worth their time or effort.
They are in the business of making and selling you the entire glass screen door and screen slider! Quite a bit more money for you AND them!
Why Is It Important To Know How To Remove A Sliding Glass Door
Removing a sliding glass door may seem like a daunting task, but once youve learned the basic process, it might be easier than you initially thought! There are many reasons you may need to remove a sliding glass door, including repairing or replacing panes, restoring the proper slide, or moving large objects like furniture.
Learn how to remove a sliding glass door with these instructions from the expert technicians at Glass Doctor.
Part 1 Of 2:removing The Screws And Head Stop
Special Types Of Roller Assemblies
There are some doors that use this roller assembly which contains 2 tandem rollers. When one bearing or wheel is seized you end up having to replace the whole assembly. Mercifully you dont run into these to often.
In addition to rollers there are also repair methods that involve snapping in vinyl guides in the bottom of the patio door and a new vinyl track over top of the old damaged track. The process works and you can make your old door glide well without having to remove the door.
The only drawback is that you lose the ability to make height adjustments, and if your old patio slider is not square to the jamb because of settlement and shifting the vinyl tracks will not help.
Bug Strip For Sliding Screen Door
The pictures below show the steps required to install a new bug strip for sliding screen door.
Most screen doors are 7/16 inch thick with a space all around the frame that allows the bugstrip to be pushed into.
The bug strip gets installed on the side of the door opposite the lock, where it seals the gap from top to bottom between the screen door and the patio door.
The gap can be different from one door to the next so you need some way of adjusting the width of the strip.
On the seals that I use, the vinyl material has grooves precut so that if you cut a notch in the top of the groove, you can peel a strip off the bugstrip from one end to the other.
Trim the strip so its just a little bigger than the gap you have to fill. If you leave it too wide it will drag on the patio door and make it hard to open and close the screen door.
Once the width is right, you just push the square part of the bugstrip into the groove all the way up the height of the screen door. Trim the strip so it stops just before the tracks on the top and bottom of the slding screen.
To purchase bugstrips, use the shopping cart links below:
Innisfil Screen Door Lock Repair
A broken or damaged screen door lock is a threat to your security and privacy. If the lock of your screen door is broken or damaged, it is important to get it repaired as soon as possible, because Malfunctioning Screen Door Lock can make you unsafe and risky for your family. Door Repairs Innisfil of Innisfil offers services of screen door lock repair to residential and commercial clients across Innisfil, Ontario.
How To Remove Patio Doors

Step 1: Prep the Floor
To protect your floors and the glass doors, cover the floor in your with padded material, such as foam sheets. This padding will prevent the glass from breaking when you remove the panel. It will also protect your floor from scratches and chipping.
Step 2: Remove the Screen Door
If your patio doors have a screen door, remove this first. Open the door and get your helper to lift the screen door.
Use the flathead screwdriver to lift the bottom of the screen door up, lifting the rollers from the track. Repeat on the top of the screen door to fully remove the door out of the tracks, and set this door aside in a safe place.
Step 3: Unscrew the Interior Casings or Trim
Use a Philips-head screwdriver to remove the interior casing or trim. You will find this on the inner side of the door. Be careful as you go so you dont damage the material.
Remove any dirt beforehand. Also, remove the head stopthe decorative trim at the top of the door frame.
Step 4: Remove the Sliding Door Panel
Have your helper stand on the other side of the door to help with the final part of this step.
Slide the door to the indented point in the track to make the door come out easily.
Find the roller adjustment screws in the sliding panelthey should be on the bottom of the door, or on the side panel on either end. In some cases, these screws will be covered with plugs.
Use a Philips-head screwdriver to rotate the screws in a counter-clockwise direction. This will raise the rollers.
Patio Screen Door Repair In Innisfil
Windows and screens provide valuable benefits to our homes by filtering outside air, cooling our homes, UV ray protection, reducing the number of outdoor pests and parasites, and providing more privacy. They even help us save money on air conditioning during mild and enjoyable summer days. At Door Repairs Innisfil we offer patio screen door repair services across Innisfil, Ontario. Our patio screen door experts will repair worn-out frames, broken glass, Foggy Thermopane Windows, and more. We can also replace patio screen door rollers, sliders, and rubber gasket seal so you can use your patio screen door without any trouble. It doesn’t hurt to give us a call in between the seasons, we quickly assess the condition of your patio screen door and repair it as soon as possible.
Bug Seal For Sliding Screen Door
The groove on my sliding screen door is too small for the strips that I can find locally. The one that is worn out measures 5/16″W x 3/16″ deep. the sweep was a total of 1 1/2″ W x 78″ long. The best that I can measure the groove opening is a tight 1/4″ x 1/4″.
i need to find the piece of rubber that seal the back of the screen to the glass slider door.its about an inch wide. any help would be great. maybe just the name of that piece.That piece of rubber is called a Bugstrip or bug seal and I could send you one in the mail if you cant find one locally. The one I use is about 1-1/2″ wide and has pre-notched strips that you can peel off to reduce the width to suit your own screen door.
I replaced the screen on my sliding screen door. I need to replace my screen door bug strip also. i searched every where with no result. i saw it on your website.My sliding door is columbiamatic 42″x80″. please tell me how to order the bug strip, the cost plus shipping etc., thank you!Hi Suban, My bugstrip is $1.00/foot and the shipping to California is $11.00 by UPS Ground.
Lubricating And Clean Sliding Screen Door Parts
There are a total of 4 tiny wheels on your sliding screen door.
Two wheels are on the top of the door and two wheels are on the bottom. Both sets of wheels rest on top of a track. The track looks like a metal tab.
Its important to clean and lubricate all four wheels so they operate efficiently.
I used a wire brush to clean the wheels and Blaster silicone spray to lubricate them.
In a prior post on squeaky doors some fans asked why I prefer Blaster silicone spray over WD-40.
WD-40 is a great product and I use it all the time. The Blaster garage door lubricant is silicone based and adds the extra promise that dirt wont buildup on the surface its sprayed on. So thats one big reason I use it.
Putting The Sliding Screen Door Back In Place
Insert the sliding screen door onto the top track at an angle. Ensure the two wheels will rest on the metal track tab.
Push up on the door and allow the bottom two wheels to rest on the bottom track tab.
The door should be securely in place. The last step is to tighten the two screws on the top of the door that were loosened in Step 1.
The end!!
Just kidding.
Make sure the sliding screen door moves smoothly across the track. If it doesnt you make need to adjust the height of the cartridge that encases the wheels.
Caulk And Install The New Sliding Door Frame
- Assemble the frame following the manufacturer’s instructions.
- If you have a knockdown door frame, assemble it on the deck, garage floor or other flat surface.
- Dry-fit the assembled door frame in the opening to make sure everything fits.
- Apply two beads of silicone caulk along the length of the threshold and tip the frame into the opening.
Steel Housing Patio Rollers
Steel housing rollers are what you will usually find on patio doors made before the 1970’s. Unlike the die cast rollers, the steel housings dont break. Thats the reason you will often find older patio doors still working fine after 30 or 40 years.
The housing can rust up though and bearings can seize. Sometimes when the bearings seize people continue to force the slider open and closed for years even though you need to pull on it with both hands. In these situations the axles can grind right through the steel housing. Not good, some of these old housings are impossible to find anymore.
Steel housing rollers can be the hardest to get out when you are dealing with an old patio slider. Some rollers like the 02532 are held one using a nut and bolt going through the vertical stile using the hold just above the adjusting screw. The bolt can rust and you may have to drill the bolts head off to get the roller out of the frame.
Others like the 7406 use small steel tabs as well as a screw to lock the roller into the aluminum door frame. A considerable amount of gentle prying, swearing and cursing is typically needed to remove one of these. Just finding the tabs is half the battle.
The C21002 is commonly used in modern doors. Its typically used in single glazed door panels but some companies use it in the insulated glass panels as well. It usually ends wearing out quickly when used for these heavier panels.
How To Remove Your Sliding Screen Door
Theres a cartridge within your screen door that contains two wheels. These wheels are what allow the screen door to move along a track.
This cartridge can move up and down inside the screen door and is held in place by two screws.
If you unloosen the screws the cartridge can be adjusted up or down. And this will also allow your screen door to be moved up or down and disengaged from the track it runs on.
The video below will walk you through the entire process of removing, cleaning, and lubricating your sliding screen door. I say smooth too many times in this video, but that one idea is really the whole point of this post.
What Will Stop The Rain Coming Through My Door

Hi there, have a question. My wood front door leaks through joints at times of heavy rain and leaves a small amount of water on the floor inside.The door itself is in pretty good condition so as you can see I have tried to seal it but the leak continues. The frame was designed for a sliding screen door and as such I cannot install a hinged storm door to shield it from the rain.My question is: Is there a sliding door made that has a slide up glass to expose the screen similar to how a storm door works? I’m sure that if I could find something like that it would fix my problems.Any other advice is welcome as well!The first thing I would try to do is to spray the door with a garden hose to try and isolate where the water is coming in. It might not be where you think.The places most vulnerable to leaks on a sliding patio door are the finseals between the panels and underneath the door. They get worn out until water is able to get through.There are single panel sliding doors that can be installed in front of patio doors that are leaking. They are made by Clearview Patio Doors in Toronto.Another solution might be a fabric awning above the door to get in the way of the driving rain.
Port Whitby Sliding Door Screen Replacement
A damaged or broken sliding door screen can be the difference between enjoying the outdoors or not. With our great Port Whitby, ON weather many of us like to catch a breeze while enjoying time indoors and away from the insects. However, the weather in the sunshine can take its toll on your screen doors. At Door Repair Port Whitby our Sliding Door Screen Replacement Services are perfect for when your screen is torn or it does not slide properly. We will remove your old screen and replace all the necessary parts to ensure a functional and highly aesthetic product that is tough enough to withstand the effects of your pets and nature.
We Provide The Best Sliding Glass Patio Door Repair Services Including Sliding Glass Door Roller Repair Lock Repair Patio Glass Repair Track Repair And Patio Door Latch Repair In Port Whitby
A patio sliding door is a big convenience and adds in beauty as well. If your patio sliding door has stopped working properly, you must contact a professional company to get it back to work. At Door Repair Port Whitby we understand that nothing is more annoying than a Damaged and Malfunctioning Patio Sliding Door in Port Whitby, ON. Some driveways doors look secure, but they are not secure actually if they do not function properly. Dont ignore the safety and security of your property with a damaged or Broken Patio Sliding Door. Door Repair Port Whitby in Port Whitby, ON is the best place to address your needs for patio sliding door repair.
Install The New Screen
Lay the sliding doors new screen over the frame with overlap on all sides before you begin pressing one end of the rubber spline into the channel. A spline rolling tool makes this job much easier.Begin in a corner and work your way around the frame, keeping the screen tight as you go. It may be helpful to have one person roll while another holds the screen tight.
Get A Sliding Screen Back On Track
Its one of lifes little annoyances: that balky screened patio door that catches and sticks. Good news: The fix is a cinch
First, locate the adjustment screws along the bottom of the outside face of the door frame or on the doors inside edge.
Turn each screw counterclockwise to raise the wheelsand lower the doorso that you can lift the door up and out of the track.
With the door set aside, vacuum up any debris and wipe the track clean. Spot a bend? Use pliers to straighten it.
Inspect the wheels and make sure they spin freely . Spritz axles with lubricant. Fit the door back in place and almost close it, then adjust the screws to even up the gap between jamb and door, lifting the frame 1?8 inch above the trackand youre ready to roll.
Method 1 Of 3:removing The Door
How To Replace The Screen On A Screen Door
This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow’s Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards.There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 114,458 times.Learn more…
Most screen doors are made from durable fiberglass material. However, your screen may get ripped or worn down over time. When this happens, you can easily replace the screen, rather than the entire door. To do this, remove the splines from the door frame, take off the existing screen, and attach a new screen to the door with the splines. With the right tools and a little time, replacing the screen is a snap.