Sliding Windows Need Maintenance, Too You may have sliding windows in your home that function much the same as your sliding patio doors. Many types of sliding aluminum windows glide on small rollers, especially those installed in wide openings. Just as with sliding patio doors, those rollers can wear out over time and make opening and closing the windows a struggle. The sliding door pros at A-1 On Track recommend the same basic maintenance for both windows and doors: cleaning the track. First, vacuum or wipe down the track to clear it of debris. Wiping the track with a clean cloth and a solution of one part vinegar, two parts water works well. Other common household cleaners also are fine. Don’t apply substances such as cooking oil or motor oil in an attempt to “grease” the track. They quickly become gummy and make window operation even more difficult, not easier. If your windows are still balky after the track has been cleaned, the rollers may need replacing. Check … [Read more...]
We Provide On-Site Door Handle Fabrication In most households, door handles take a lot of punishment. When sliding doors become more difficult to operate, handles can break from users who repeatedly and forcefully open and close the door. Repairing sliding door handles yourself can be an easy DIY project, if the appropriate replacement door handle can be found. Simply unscrew the original handle and screw on the new one. But frequently, the broken handle comes from an older door, and the manufacturer has discontinued the original handle. When sliding door handles need to be repaired but no replacement is available, consider on-site door handle fabrication by the professionals at A-1 On Track. As sliding door specialists, we can replace or repair any type of door handle. We assemble new handles from a variety of handle parts we have available at all times. On Site Door Handle Fabrication for Home or Office At your home or office, we can fabricate a door handle of sturdy … [Read more...]
Sliding Doors Actually Roll on Little Wheels Many homeowners don’t realize their sliding doors actually roll on small wheels. The wheels are are usually hidden, so thinking that sliders slide in the track instead of rolling is understandable. But in order to repair a sliding door, it’s important to know how it operates. How to Get your Sliding Door Rolling Resist your first impulse to lubricate the track with WD40, silicone spray, or any type of oil. Sliding doors need little lubrication. Applying DIY solutions like cooking oil to your slider’s track results in a gummy mess that eventually smells bad, attracts insects, and doesn’t solve the problem. Sliding doors become difficult to operate for two primary reasons: The track is obstructed with dirt, hair, or debris, or the rollers are out of alignment or broken. The first problem is a simple fix. Using a crevice attachment, vacuum out the track, then wipe it down with a damp cloth. Dirty tracks are a chief reason for … [Read more...]
Why Do Pocket Doors Bind and Stick? Pocket doors are convenient and save space, but over time they may become difficult to open and close. Among the most common repairs A-1 On Track encounters in homes are pocket doors that don’t operate properly. So why do pocket doors bind and stick? There are several reasons: Structural settling in older homes. Door frames, wall studs and floors can bow with age, making it harder to move the pocket door. Tracks that become warped, displaced or bent. Settling or repeated use over time can damage a door’s track. Tracks that become clogged with hair, dust, plaster or other debris. Nails in the hollow wall opening into which the door recesses that either stop a door from sliding entirely or obstruct the smooth movement of the door. Nails that are hidden inside the door recess or painted over will leave deep scratches on the door. Moisture in basements or bathrooms sometimes warps pocket doors. Dirty, broken or … [Read more...]
Versatile Accordion Doors Break up Spaces, Store Neatly Versatile accordion doors, popular for decades, continue to be a favorite design feature in commercial and residential settings. The doors are commonly found in schools, churches, hotels, retail outlets and homes. Affordability is a major selling point - used to fit expansive openings, they are among the least expensive doors available. Benefits of Accordion Doors There are many reasons why accordion doors have endured for so long: They save space. The fact that they fold makes accordion doors very compact solutions, especially compared to hinged doors that may be impractical in tight areas. They are great room dividers. A drawn accordion door creates two usable spaces from a single room. Modern accordion doors are made with materials that deaden sound, so large groups of people can meet on either side with no noisy distractions. Their durability makes them an economical option. Quality accordion doors … [Read more...]
Replacing Rusted Rollers on Commercial Sliding Doors Moisture and salt air are tough on exterior sliding doors. If you live or have a business near the ocean, expect the metal rollers on your new sliders to rust soon. If your sliders have been in place awhile, your doors may already be difficult to open and close because of damaged rollers. There are two options: Replace the doors, which can be expensive, or fix the rollers. A-1 On Track recommends repairs, at least initially. This requires removing the sliders from the frame. Have someone help you do this, since the doors are heavy and awkward to handle. You will probably have to unscrew a plastic brace at the top of the frame to free the door. Place the door on a flat surface and remove the damaged rollers by loosening the screws at the base of the door. If you see two screws, one atop the other, the top screw usually is the one that secures the rollers. To purchase the correct roller for your door, note the … [Read more...]
Humidity Affects Pocket Doors in Bathrooms Pocket doors in bathrooms are a great idea. They save space in areas that are often cramped and must accommodate more than one person. A quality pocket door will come with solid latching hardware that allows the door to be easily locked for privacy But the moisture from baths and showers presents special problems for pocket doors. Moisture can cause the door to expand, making it difficult to open and shut. Operation is also affected when moisture warps the door frames or rusts the track and rollers. Hair that accumulates in the track slows door movement as well. Maintenance is Important for Pocket Doors in Bathrooms To keep your pocket door sliding smoothly, diligence is the key. Keep the track clean of debris, dust and hair by vacuuming or wiping it down. If the bathroom is used frequently, you may have to clean the track every few days. Watch for signs of wear on the rollers. If they need adjustment or replacing, the door will … [Read more...]
Patio Door Track Resurfacing Renews Your Slider Patio door track resurfacing is a way to make your slider operate like new and saves you the cost of having to buy a new door. Rollers and the door track work in tandem, enabling anyone to open and close the door smoothly and with little effort. Cleaning the track of dirt and dust and adjusting the rollers are always the first options in getting a balky slider moving again. If that fails to make operation easier, it’s possible your stubborn door has damaged rollers. Because bad rollers don’t provide enough support for the door, it’s a good bet that the door is grinding down the track every time it is opened or closed. Resurfacing the door track, not replacing the entire door, is a great solution. Resurfacing calls for the entire removal of the door from the frame. This typically requires two people and is one reason A-1 On Track recommends hiring an experienced sliding door contractor to do the job. Why Hire a Professional … [Read more...]
Install a Pet Door in Your Wall Installing a pet door in your wall means freedom. It allows your dog or cat to go outside anytime, day or night, for any reason. But also as an owner, you’ll enjoy the fact you can leave the house without worrying about your animal having an accident indoors. A pet door also means sleeping an entire night without being interrupted by a pet whining to be let outside. Installing a pet door in the wall is fairly simple, requiring basic tools. If you buy a pet door kit, the accompanying instructions are easy to follow. We can Install a Pet Door in Your Wall or Glass Slider Pet doors in walls are also handy for allowing access to adjoining rooms, such as a laundry room where the litter box is located. A-1 On Track installs many pet doors in sliding doors, too. Because cutting into glass panels can be tricky, you may want to hire a contractor to install a pet door in a sliding door. A common mistake when installing a pet door is underestimating the … [Read more...]
Well-used mirrored closet doors sometimes need adjusting. Often, you can make the adjustment yourself with just a screwdriver. Most sliding doors have a mechanism known as a “wheelhouse” at either the bottom or top of the frame. Adjust the screw in the mechanism until the rollers come in full contact with the track. Your mirrored door will begin to slide properly again. If your doors have become untracked, you’ll have to loosen the screw, lift up the door, and gently place it back in the track. Mirrored doors are heavier than typical hollow-core doors, so this job may take two people. Preventive maintenance cuts down the need for adjustments. Remove pet hair, dirt or other debris by wiping the track with a damp cloth every so often. Periodically vacuuming the track helps, too. Sometimes mirrored closet sliding doors need more than a simple adjustment. Rollers on closet doors that are opened and closed many times a day can wear down or even break. In those cases, you need … [Read more...]
