A glass shower door that doesn’t open or close properly means water all over the bathroom. A glass shower door that won’t open at all means no showers. A-1 On Track offers convenient mobile services to households and businesses that can’t afford to be inconvenienced by shower doors that don’t work properly. If you need installations or repairs without delay, but don’t have the time or inclination to do it yourself, contact us. We’ll arrive promptly, with all the necessary parts and tools. In just a few hours, you’ll have a new shower door, or a repaired door that works as good as new - without leaving your home or office. One good reason to use a contractor for shower door repairs or installations: The glass door is more difficult to work with because it is much heavier than other types of doors. Although the glass is specially made to break into small pieces when damaged, those pieces can still cause cuts or falls. A professional has the experience and the tools to … [Read more...]

These electronic locks can be installed on hinged doors as well as sliders and bi-fold doors. Say goodbye to the bars that fit between the door and jamb and serve as “locks” on many sliding doors. The good news: doors with conventional key locks can be retrofitted with electronic locks. If you have never installed an electronic lock, it’s a good idea to have an experienced contractor do it. Electronic locks come in all sorts of styles and finishes, but the key consideration is quality. The very best locks use finger imprint technology, but they cost hundreds of dollars and may be more high-end than most homeowners want or need. Digital deadbolt locks that operate by entering a code on a keypad are popular and affordable. Most models have the option of adding additional codes. Keyless remote door locks are somewhat misnamed. You still need a key - or a key fob, to be exact - to open the lock. A click on the fob operates the lock in the same way a garage door is … [Read more...]

Bifold Door Rollers and Tracks Need Care When aging bifold doors stick together, bind, or otherwise fail to operate properly, the problem can usually be found in the track at the top of the door frame. Often the trouble with a balky bifold is a loose bracket on one or both ends of the track. This is a repair virtually anyone can perform. First: Loosen, don’t remove, the bracket’s set screw, then position the bracket so the door closes properly and tighten the screw. It may take a few attempts to get the bracket in the right position, but once it is, your door should operate smoothly. But if the track itself is damaged, then the rollers, which are the plastic wheels that move within the track when the door is opening and closing, won’t move freely. Rollers that are jammed within the track cause bifold doors to bind. You can avoid damaging the tracks by taking care not to operate the doors too roughly. Also, don’t hang clothes or other items from the top of the open doors - the … [Read more...]

Ideas for Sliding Glass Door Replacements Whether you are involved in new construction or a renovation, replacing sliding glass doors can be perplexing. As a knowledgeable sliding glass door contractor, A-1 On Track has done many installations and repairs over the years. Here is an overview of the benefits and disadvantages of each type of door:  Wood doors have a rich, warm appearance and come in a variety of finishes and colors. But wood can warp or fade in sunlight, requires some upkeep and ranks low on the ability to insulate. Vinyl doors can crack or peel but they are energy efficient, less expensive than wood and can withstand a lot of punishment. Aluminum doors are light and can be dented, something to consider with a lot of foot traffic. They also resist corrosion and cost less than wood. Fiberglass doors are also priced lower than wood doors but can be made to look like wood. Insulation properties are good and maintenance is minimal. Steel doors … [Read more...]

Selecting Bathroom Closet Door Handles and Locks It’s now time to select bathroom closet door handles and locks, and you are overwhelmed. Choosing from among the enormous variety of handles and locks is difficult, especially if you’re never really thought about them before. Who would have thought there were so many styles, finishes and colors? Consulting a sliding door contractor or a designer makes navigating the choices easier. Appearance is one consideration. Door handles should contrast with the color of the door. A light-colored handle seems to blend into a door that is also light-colored. Another tip: Updating door handles and locks in other rooms gives a house a uniform look. At the very least, try to closely match door handles within view of one another, at least in color if not style. Practicality is another consideration. Many people like to have locks on their bathroom or closet doors, especially if there are little ones present who love to explore. Most of … [Read more...]

How to Measure for Your Pet Door Installing a pet door in an existing sliding door is a great convenience to both you and your animal. Imagine no more getting up from bed to let Spike out when nature calls at 2 a.m. A professional sliding door contractor can cut an opening in your slider and install the ideal door for your pet in just a couple of hours. Measuring precisely and using common sense are keys to designing a pet door that a dog or cat will be willing and able to use. First, measure the width of your pet. A long-haired animal may appear wider than it actually is. Add an inch or two to be safe. Next, measure your pet’s height, from the top of the shoulders - not the head - to the floor. Add a couple inches to the height to prevent your pet from wearing out the door’s flaps due to constantly rubbing against them. Additional guidelines on installing your pet door: The door should be tall and wide enough to comfortably accommodate the pet when it is fully … [Read more...]

New Sliding Closet Doors Add Value and Style to a Home A simple and relatively inexpensive way to add value to a home is to install new sliding closet doors. If you own an older home, it’s possible the original sliding doors are frustratingly difficult to open and close. They have likely taken a beating from open and closing, hanging things on them, bumping them, etc.  The tracks become damaged beyond repair without routine track maintenance over the years. Replacing just the track is an option, but consider installing brand new sliders. Replacing balky, older doors is an opportunity to give rooms a facelift. Also, imagine how nice it is to have new closet doors that operate smoothly and take little effort to open and close. Sliding doors are practical replacements for expansive hinged doors because they save space in compact rooms or small areas. A bifold slider or accordion door allows for easier access to your entire closet, too. Other reasons for installing new sliding … [Read more...]

Quick-Fix Screen Repairs, in a Pinch There are quick-fix screen repairs available that enable you to put off repairing your sliding door. But these quick fixes should be considered temporary. Once the family gathering or neighborhood party is over, call a sliding door contractor such as A-1 On Track to make repairs that restore the door to its original condition. Using window screen repair tape is one way to seal up holes in the door screen. It’s a popular quick-fix because it works well at keeping the bugs outside - until the tape dries out after a few days and no longer stays affixed. And it’s an ugly fix, too, especially when there are several pieces of tape on the screen. There is also the tried-and-true method of applying nail polish to a small screen tear. The polish eventually becomes brittle and crumbles off. It’s another ugly fix, especially if the polish is a garish color. Stick with clear nail polish if you are this desperate. Another quick but short-lived “fix” … [Read more...]

Why Shower Doors Leak Pinpointing the cause of a leaking shower door and fixing it fast will save you the hassle and cost of replacing damaged flooring, drywall and anything else that gets soaked every time the shower is used. If you are not handy, don’t put off repairs. Call a contractor who will fix the leak once and for all. It’s well worth the cost of a service call. Most leaks are not difficult to fix, so if you want to take on the job yourself, A-1 On Track offers these tips: The primary causes of shower door leaks are incorrect application of caulk around the door, or using inferior-grade caulk. Use only silicone caulk - it won’t crack over time. Too often, the drainage, or “weep” holes that allow water to drain from the metal track at the base of the door, are covered by caulk or filled with soap scum. The water ends up on the bathroom floor as a result. Expose the weep holes by removing old caulk or using a toothbrush to clean the scum. If the caulking around … [Read more...]

Fix Pet-Damaged Screens Before Spring For some households, pet-damaged screen doors are a fact of life. It takes just a few instances of Rex excitedly jumping on the patio door screen to require repairs. Now is the time to repair those pet-damaged screens. The arrival of warmer weather means more bugs. Don’t make it easy for them to invade your home through a torn screen patio door. Replacing the screen can be a challenge if you have never attempted it. A-1 On Track suggests calling an experienced contractor to make the repairs if you have doubts about your ability to do the job. But if you have a few simple tools, an hour or so, and the desire to fix it yourself, go for it. Here is how to repair a pet-damaged screen: Buy new screening from a hardware or home improvement store. You’ll also need a spline roller. If your pets are hard on screens, consider purchasing higher quality screening. Remove the screen door from the slider frame and place it horizontally on the … [Read more...]