The Best Methods to Clean Shower Glass Doors A-1 On Track wants your sliding doors to look good, as well as work properly. For a sparkling appearance, we're recommending the best methods to clean your glass shower doors. In households with hard water, shower glass doors can quickly become marred with mineral deposits. Over time and with multiple showers, soap scum attaches to the deposits. That combination of scum and deposits makes your shower door particularly tough to clean completely. There are many products that remove soap scum pretty well. Others are aimed at eliminating deposits. The trick is finding an inexpensive product that will clean both, while being relatively easy to use. Using natural products such as vinegar to clean around the house should be a priority. For shower doors, though, vinegar, ammonia or any other natural cleaner you may have on hand just doesn’t cut through the muck. Cleaning the shower glass door is one job that requires a store-bought … [Read more...]
Electronic Pet Door Gives Your Pets ‘the Key’ and Keeps out Pests An electronic pet door that gives pets “the key” and keeps out pests has solved the problems associated with conventional pet doors. The Power Pet is an electronically operated door, activated by an ultrasonic collar worn by your pet. As the dog or cat approaches, the door automatically opens, allowing your pet to go outside or come inside. Like other pet doors, the Power Pet offers owners the convenience of not having to open and close doors for their pets. But this electronic door, which can be installed by the sliding door specialists at A-1 On Track, offers additional benefits: The door itself is a tough, translucent resin panel that the manufacturer, High Tech Pet, promises will not discolor or break. High Tech Pet claims the panel is even bulletproof. The motorized Power Pet insulates better than other pet doors because the panel moves up and down, instead of swinging open. For homeowners with … [Read more...]
Stop Your Pocket Door Slamming - With Door Brakes Pocket doors are convenient space-savers with a drawback: They often inadvertently slam shut. It’s possible to stop pocket door slamming with door brakes. Braking hardware gently slows the door as it comes to a close, then pulls the door completely shut. The controlling mechanism works no matter how forcefully the doors are pushed or pulled. A version of door brakes can be found in modern cabinets, used to softly and silently close drawers. For homeowners who value a quiet household, door brakes are a boon. Braking hardware, which uses dampers to control door movement, also saves wear-and-tear on your door frames that are punished by slamming pocket doors. Door brake hardware is relatively inexpensive and comes in several brands. If your pocket door is old and heavy, be sure to buy hardware that will support the weight of the door. Installing the hardware requires removal of the pocket door. If you are accustomed to home … [Read more...]
How to Keep Intruders Out with Innovative Pet Door Protection Pet doors can be a great convenience for both animal and owner, but there is a down side: Other animals or even burglars can get into a home via that same door. Often that means blocking the pet door while the owner is away, or installing a lockable pet door. Both solutions defeat the purpose of the pet door, which is to allow the animal to freely go outdoors at any time without requiring the assistance of the owner. But keeping intruders out with innovative pet door protection is now possible. One product on the market is simple in concept but effective at restricting access to only your pet, whether it’s a dog or cat. Installation is relatively simple, and replacing your current pet door is not necessary. The product is a rectangular barrier made of steel, which comes in three sizes, with bars spanning an open middle. When the barrier is placed at the appropriate proximity to the pet door, it blocks animals or … [Read more...]
Our Soft-Close Sliding Door Brakes Will Prevent Slamming If your busy household echoes with the jarring sounds of sliding doors being slammed constantly, it’s time to consider installing soft-close hardware. Soft-close sliding door brakes prevent slamming. The hardware is popular in today’s kitchens, where it is used to slow drawers as they come to a close. For sliding doors, the principle behind the hardware is the same: Dampers within the mechanism work as “brakes” to moderate the speed with which the slider closes. The dampers allow the door to shut gently but securely. It’s important to remember that once the hardware is installed, there’s no need to close sliders with force. A gentle tug sets the doors in motion. They’ll close tightly with virtually no sound. Soft-close hardware is a popular feature on new doors, but can be used to retrofit existing doors, too. The hardware is particularly useful to protect mirrored or wood closet doors from damage, since they tend to … [Read more...]
Replacing Sliding Door Locks - What to Consider Replacing sliding door locks can be a surprisingly complicated process. You probably will spare yourself a lot of time and frustration by hiring a sliding door contractor to replace a lock. If you are fairly handy and determined to replace your own sliding door locks, keep in mind that finding the right lock is half the battle. You must reinstall the same type of lock you are replacing. Otherwise, the new lock will not work properly. Use a cell phone or digital camera photo of the old lock as a reference when you are shopping for a new one. Photograph the old lock from several angles to be certain you are purchasing the correct lock. Your new lock must match the old one in several ways: Door manufacturer. The name of the manufacturer is most likely on the lock itself. Face plate shape. The section of the lock that is exposed when installed in the door is the face plate. Your lock’s face plate is either round or … [Read more...]
Fix That Pet Door before Winter Sets In Pet doors that are damaged, worn, poorly installed or not properly maintained can be big energy-wasters in your home. A-1 On Track has a few suggestions to help you fix that pet door and prevent the winter winds from coming inside. The most common problem with a dog or cat door: A flap that seals poorly and allows cold air inside. The flap is relatively easy to replace on most pet doors. Simply loosen the screws around the flap, slip it out, and replace with a new flap that can be purchased at most pet stores. Be certain to tighten the screws so that your pet does not loosen the flap. In some cases, complete removal of the pet door is required in order to replace the flap. Even pet doors that feature wood or vinyl doors that close tightly can waste energy. If your pet door is installed in a wall or door, check for gaps around the edge of the pet door frame that will let cold air in. Apply caulk or install weather stripping around … [Read more...]
Sometimes Patio Doors Just Need Adjustments Homeowners often think the only solution to a patio door that won’t budge is a new patio door. But sometimes patio doors only need adjustments in order to work correctly. All sliding doors move on rollers, or small wheels at the base of the door. Patio doors endure a lot of traffic, especially during the warmer months, so worn rollers are not unusual. If your door is fairly new but is increasingly difficult to open or close, your rollers may need adjusting. This is a two-person job. Find the hole at the inside base of the door that provides access to a roller-adjustment screw. While the other person lifts the patio door slightly - about a quarter of an inch - use a flat blade screwdriver to turn the adjustment screw. It may take several turns of the screw to get the right adjustment, but eventually your patio door should be sliding smoothly. Keeping the track free of dust and debris minimizes damage to the rollers and also … [Read more...]
Is Your Patio Door Going to Make it Through Winter? Colder months are approaching, so now is the time to prepare your patio door for the fall and winter. Making your patio door more energy efficient should be a priority for homeowners. As door frames settle, gaps are created that allow chilly air indoors. One method to check for drafts: Close all doors and windows and hold a lit incense stick along the edge of the door about six inches away. The smoke from the stick will change direction where any air is leaking. Mark those spots with colored tape. Plug the gaps between the door frame and wall with silicone or caulk. Weatherstripping will close the gaps between the door and the door frame. Be sure to remove old weatherstripping before applying new. Because there are various types of weatherstripping available, take a sample of the old weatherstripping with you as a guide to buying new weatherstripping at the home improvement or hardware store. Instructions on how to … [Read more...]
Is It Time to Fix or Replace Your Storm Door? Storm, screen and sliding doors are much like a car or appliance - there comes a time when you have to decide whether they are worth fixing or should be replaced. To help you make the right choice, A-1 On Track offers these thoughts: A sliding and storm door professional can work wonders with a door that seems to be beyond saving. Replacing worn-out or broken rollers, fixing a broken handle, installing a new screen or adding weatherstripping can add years to the life of a door that’s already endured a lot of punishment. Problems due to a poorly installed door vanish when the door is re-installed correctly. Customers are often surprised to learn how favorably an economical, low-cost tuneup of their sliding or storm door compares to buying a brand-new door. Today’s storm and sliding doors can add an element of class to your home decor. They come in many colors, finishes and styles, and are much more appealing than those bland … [Read more...]
