Manual for the Installation of a Sliding Door

Wooden, aluminium or uPVC sliding doors are not just elegant; they also contribute to a positive living climate. The lift-and-slide technology simplifies the opening procedure. As the casement of these doors can be lowered down, they are tighter than other doors. Sliding doors can provide an energy efficient passage to the garden or balcony – even barrier free. But it is not always necessary to rely on professionals for the installation. The following instructions will show, in detail, how to easily install a new door yourself and without complications. For the installation of a sliding door, you will need to make sure to have all necessary tools and materials.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MATERIALS

New sliding door
Construction foam
Construction foam gun
Construction foam cleaner
Vapour-proof foil
Screws for the frame
Adjustment blocks

TOOLS

Drill
Impact drill or impact wrench
Wood or stone drill (6mm)
Yard stick and bubble level
Spatula

1. Preparations

Make sure to place all necessary tools and materials in the working area, before you start with the installation of the door. Re-measure the dimensions of the door reveal and prepare the surfaces. Uneven or dirty surfaces can make the adhesion of the sealing problematic. New sliding doors need to be installed, in accordance with the latest RAL regulations. When working with a group of four, the installation time should be between 2 and 4 hours (Fig. 1).

Prepare the reveal before lift & slide door installation

Fig. 1

2. Preparing the Sliding Door for Installation

Construction components are always covered with protection foil. Additional parts, such as handles, are usually not yet mounted. Follow the next steps to prepare your sliding door correctly (Fig. 2).

Remove the protection foil from the exterior part of the sliding door frame. This part of the foil is really difficult to remove after the installation. Adhesive residue can remain on the parts as well.
In order to open the window, it is important to mount the handle first. Please remove the foil from the respective parts and make sure that is remains on the other areas.
Now you need to lift off the sliding casement. Remove the screw (f) and the sealing (e).
Remove screw (d) and make sure that guide (b) remains in the sliding casement (a).
Tilt the sliding casement (a) including guide (b) and remove the entire element.

Prepare a lift & slide door for installation

Fig. 2

In certain circumstances it is also necessary to remove the fixed glazing. It is usually mounted with glass strips that you can remove easily. Please work carefully and pay attention to avoid damaging the glass.

Push a stable and thin spatula (there are special models for the work with glass) into the space between the glass strip and casement (Fig. 3). Carefully lever the spatula downwards. The glazing strip should now be protruding.
Move the spatula along the casement. The glazing can now be removed easily.

Remove the glass strip of a lift & slide door with a spatula

Fig. 3

Please remember that the glazing strips have to be inserted in reverse order during a later step of the installation.

Sealing methods for lift & slide doors (inside, central, outside)

Fig. 4

3. Choosing the Sealing Type

In the next step you have to decide, which type of seal you want to use during the installation. The seals are divided into three installation levels:

The inner seal separates the two temperatures – outside and room. It must be installed impervious to vapours. Vapour proof foil or filling the gaps with acrylic is recommended (Fig. 4a).
The outer seal serves as a constant weather protection. It must be rain proof and open to vapour diffusion at the same time. These properties can be achieved with the installation of pre-compressed sealing tape or foil that is open to vapour diffusion. The joints can alternatively be grouted with silicon (Fig. 4c).

Please note that carefully attached seals can prevent construction faults after the installation.

Always bear in mind: The installation must be sealed more tightly on the inside than outside.

All important materials for the installation and further accessories can be ordered from the windows24.com online shop.

4. Installation and Adjustment of the Frame

You need the sealing material (foil or tape), a bubble level and the adjustment blocks for this step.

If you decided, to use foil inside and sealing tape outside, please attach it now. It is also possible to use silicon outside and acrylic inside after the installation procedure.
Insert the frame of the sliding door into the wall opening.
Adjust the doorframe with the bubble level, as shown in the graphic (Fig. 5). The frame can be re-adjusted if the door does not properly open or close. This will also prevent damage to the installation components.
Now you can start to insert the blocks. Be aware of the following factors:
- a. The blocks need to be made of appropriate material such as uPVC.
- b. The arrangement of the blocks must not affect the structural properties of the construction element.
- c. In order to assure continuous load transfer, the blocks need to remain in the groove.
- d. The frame must completely rest on the blocks.
- e. It is recommended to install the blocks with a distance of 30 cm from one another.

After these steps are followed, the installation of the sliding door can be performed rapidly and safely.

Install a lift & slide door - Insert and align the frame

Fig. 5

5. Screwing-in the Sliding Door Frame

In order to mount the frame into the masonry, you need a drill, the respective bits and the accompanying screws (Fig. 6)

Drill-in the mounting holes with an impact drill. Depending on the respective material, you have to select an appropriate drill bit (stone or wood). It is recommendable to use a 6 mm bit.
Screw the screws in tightly with the impact wrench.

Fig. 6

6. Foaming and sealing the Gaps

It is of significant importance to seal the gaps between the frame and masonry, as it will protect the house from any entering humidity.

If you decided to use sealing tape, it is very important to wait with the foaming until it has fully expanded.
Fill the gaps with construction foam. Dispense carefully, as it will expand after injection. Additional foam can be applied after expansion (Fig. 7a).
Attach the foil to cover the masonry entirely or start to grout respective areas around the door (Fig. 7b oder Fig. 7c).

Seal a lift & slide door with assembly foam and sealing tape

Fig. 7

7. Installation and Adjustment of the Casement of the Sliding Door

The installation of the sliding door is complete once you have inserted the casement. Pay special attention when inserting to avoid damage to the seals (Fig. 8).

In the last step you need to insert the casement of the sliding door. Insert the sliding door casement (a) with its guide (b) and position it vertically
Insert the screw (d)
Now you need to install the sealing (e) and the sliding door screw (f).

Fig. 8

After the installation you need to check whether the sliding door can be properly opened and closed. Please also check the tightness and re-adjust the door leaf if necessary.