How to Remove Fixed Panel of Sliding Glass Door
The fixed panel is a part of the sliding door. It is utilized as an option for opening and closing the glass section, and it’s normally made of aluminum or wood material. A fixed panel could be useful to you if you need privacy protection because it prevented people from peeping into your private space. But if you want to use this sliding door without a fixed panel, you have to remove it. First, the fixed panels installed on your door. So today, I will discuss an easy process on how to remove fixed panel of sliding glass door.
A Step-Wise Guide on How to Remove Fixed Panel of Sliding Glass Door
This section will teach you how to remove fixed panel of sliding glass door, so you can replace it with new glass or start making repairs. First, take a look at the different parts of your sliding glass door:
Step 1 – Remove the Interior Frame:
To get access to the outside frame, remove all the screws from the inside that are holding the interior frame in place. You will need a drill/screwdriver and some pliers (see diagram). Remove the inner frame.
Note:
Putting something on top of your shelf is very helpful here because it keeps everything steady as it comes loose and falls. I literally put a couple of buckets upside down on top of my shelf unit just for this purpose! Before you even think about taking anything off the shelf, start with the books that are on top of your piles.
In many cases, you’ll find that the interior frame is held in place by some crumbling caulk that will also come out as you pull it off. If not, don’t worry about it and move on!
Step 2 – Remove the Outside Frame:
The outside frame is only held on two screws from each side (four total). You can easily reach them from inside through the holes of Step 1. Start by obliterating these four screws. Then gently pry at the top edge of the outside frame with a flat head screwdriver. This part will take some force because nails hold it down below but keep pulling until it comes free enough to push out to the left or right (depending on where your door is located on your wall). Now you can remove the outside frame.
Step 3 – Remove the Fixed Panel:
The fixed panel is only held on by one screw from each side, so you can easily reach these screws through the holes of Step 1. Next, obliterate both screws and pull out the top edge to make sure it’s loose enough that you can push it out and lift off the bottom part until there’s nothing left holding it in place. Congratulations! You have successfully removed your fixed panel! Top Rail Now you are ready to remove the top rail. Start by removing the acrylic label from each end and unscrewing the plastic endcap.
Step 4 – Make Repairs/Replace Glass:
Repair or replace your sliding glass door according to what type of damage is
present on your glass or metal parts. Here are some articles that may help make repairs or replacements for popular brands and types of sliding glass doors here. Remove all foreign objects, such as broken glass, splinters of wood, or pieces of metal on your sliding glass door.
Clean the sliding glass door and make sure it is in good condition, then install a new handle. If there is any minor cracks or scratches on the glass of your sliding glass door, fill them with epoxy putty or silicone caulking.
Check It Out to Learn to Remove Paint From Fiberglass Door.
What Damages Occur to A Fixed Panel of Sliding Glass Door?
If your sliding glass door has a fixed panel, you should be quite familiar with the problems it brings. First of all, you need to ensure that the fixed panel is big enough.
Why does it happen? The fixed panel makes it easy to access and prevents interference with the opening of the door, but it can also significantly damage the house because:
- Birds like to build their nests inside. And when they have babies, those birds will defend their nests fiercely by throwing droppings at anyone who comes near them. They will also attack people outside of the house, causing injuries!
- When the cold wind blows in from outside, this door design often lets raindrops into your home, directly hitting on furniture or other valuable items on display. This causes water stains that are difficult to remove from wood flooring at the bottom of the door.
The best design for a sliding glass door has an opening panel at the bottom with hinges and a stop to prevent it from going out. However, there is no way you can change this type of door unless you search hard for one when you buy your house or build your own with a custom contractor.
Additional Tips When Removing Fixed Panel of Sliding Glass Door
If you are looking to remove the fixed panel of a sliding glass door, here are some additional tips to keep in mind:
- Safety first: Always wear appropriate safety gear, including gloves and eye protection.
- Plan ahead: Before beginning, ensure you have all the necessary tools and materials.
- Protect the glass: Cover the fixed panel with a protective layer to avoid damage to the glass during removal.
- Remove the frame: Use a screwdriver to remove the screws holding the fixed panel within the door frame.
- Be careful when lifting: Fixed panels on sliding glass doors can be heavy, so enlist the help of a friend or family member when lifting and removing the panel.
- Check for damage: Once the panel has been removed, check the frame for any damage or wear that may need to be repaired before installing a replacement panel.
Precautions While Learning How to Remove Fixed Panel of Sliding Glass Door
- Always wear gloves and safety glasses when working with doors,
- Not to remove the fixed panel of sliding glass door if you don’t know what you’re doing or it’s too difficult for your skill level. Don’t force the lock if the key is broken from inside the lock, as the broken pieces may be in moving parts now. There is a strong possibility of getting hurt.
- Wear non-static shoes/boots while removing a fixed panel of sliding glass doors. This is because static shoes might attract electricity which can hurt us badly. It’s always good to detect any possible hazard before starting work on it rather than fixing things later, which becomes harder than before because we didn’t do proper planning in the first place (almost every single time).
- Turn off the electricity before starting work on the sliding glass door? If possible, turn off the central locking system, alarm system, and power supply to that location. They might be turned on by mistake while working on it when touching its wired connections etc. It will be very dangerous if any part of our body touches the current running wires or touches any metal frame earthed sometime in the past with wet hands.
- Always press down the moving parts before removing the fixed panel of the sliding glass door. This is because many moving parts like gears, shafts, and pins have lubricant on them for smooth motion, but they get hard and need to be pressed down after a while. Also, some of them are made so that we need to apply a bit of force to press it down so that the spring-loaded shaft can move freely.
Can One Side of A Fixed Glass Panel Be Changed?
One of the sliding glass door panels gets stuck and can no longer slide open or closed. Sometimes, one side of a fixed panel is loose and rattles, making it unbalanced with the other panel. If you have experienced any of these problems, we have some good news! All of these common glass door repair needs can be resolved quickly and easily.
If something breaks on your sliding glass door, you may not want to replace everything at once. So you think about removing just one side of a sliding door fixed panel. If you try to remove just one side of a sliding door fixed panel, it may not be possible. The fixing brackets are on both sides and the whole thing is in there pretty good. Your best bet is to replace both sides of the sliding glass door fixed panel.
Unfortunately, you cannot remove the panel without removing everything else. This may also be true if one side of your sliding door is hinged and the other side is fixed. Replacing just one side will not give you a hinged door unless you replace the entire track with hinges for the hinged side. Here are some steps to do that:
Step 1 – Locate The Fixed Panel Hardware Screws
The first thing you should do is locate where the screws holding the fixed panel are screwed in. In most cases, this screw goes from top to bottom on both sides of the tracks, but sometimes these screws are hidden in the lower track of doors.
Step 2 – Remove The Screws Holding The Fixed Panel In Place And Then Pull Out One Side Of The Panel
After removing these screws, it should be quite easy to slide out one side of a panel. You may want to tap gently on the end of the door fixed panel so that it will not scratch your floor or walls before removing one side of a sliding door fixed panel. After you pull out both panels away from each other, take a look at the roller bearings and slides holding them up, and if they require any repairs, replace them right away. If there are no problems with this, then you can put back one side of a sliding glass door panel into place.
Step 3 – Re-Assemble The Sliding Glass Door
After removing one side of the sliding glass door panel, make sure that all of the tracks are clean and free from debris. If there is residue build-up, then use a stiff bristle brush to scrape it off. Cleaning these tracks will increase the performance of your doors, as well as extending their life span. After you’re done cleaning your track, put back both panels together and re-attach them with screws taken off earlier on this article. These steps should be able to restore your sliding glass doors into their original condition without needing any replacements or major repairs!
Frequently Asked Question
What Is a Bifold Door Pivot?
A Bifold door pivot is a type of door handle that allows you to open the door from the inside or outside. It is also known as a bi-fold door handle, half-door handle, or side-hinged door handle.
The main advantage of a Bifold door pivot is that it eliminates the need to unlock and then open the door from the outside. This makes it easier for people with disabilities or arthritis to use the door.
Another advantage of a Bifold door pivot is that it allows you to open the door in either direction. This is useful if you want to enter or leave your home in different directions without having to go through the entire process of unlocking and opening the door.
Are Pivot Doors Good?
Pivot doors are generally considered to be a good investment because they can increase the efficiency of a business by allowing employees to move between different areas more quickly.
There are a few things to consider before purchasing a pivot door:
• The size of the door – Make sure that the door is large enough to accommodate the width of the opening it will be used in.
• The type of door – Choose a pivot door that is made from sturdy materials and has been tested for wind and weather conditions.
• The installation – Make sure that the installation company is experienced with installing pivot doors and that they will properly protect your property during and after installation.
Why Are Pivot Doors So Expensive?
Pivot doors are expensive because they are custom-made for each individual business. This means that the price will vary depending on the size, shape, and configuration of the door.
Another reason why pivot doors are expensive is that they require a lot of maintenance. They need to be oiled regularly to prevent them from sticking, and they need to be cleaned regularly to ensure that there is no dirt or debris buildup.
Conclusion
Lastly, I hope that you have understood the entire process of how to remove fixed panel of sliding glass door for this article. Thank you, and have a good day!
Angela Ervin
Angela is the executive editor of DIY quickly. She began her career as an interior designer before applying her strategic and creative passion to lifestyle and home. She has close to 15 years of experience in creative writing and online content strategy for housekeeping, home decorations as well as other niche efforts. She loves her job and has the privilege of working with an extraordinary team. She lives with her husband, two sons, and daughter in Petersburg. When she's not busy working she spent time with her family.
