Repairing Sliding Doors in Eichler Homes If you are fortunate enough to own a house built by Joseph Eichler, you probably know that Eichlers were among the first homes to feature sliding doors. When sliders were introduced in the 1950s, they were hailed as space-savers that provided expansive outdoor views and brought light indoors. Their clean lines fit in perfectly with the modern look of Eichler homes. Many Eichler homes retain their original sliding doors. It’s also safe to assume plenty of those older doors show their age, in several ways: Worn tracks and rollers make sliders difficult to open and close. Door frames damaged by earthquakes or settling also hamper the operation of sliding doors. Broken door handles and locks that no longer work pose a security issue. Eichler-era doors lack the insulating properties of modern sliders. If you own an older door, you’ve probably noticed condensation forms when indoor and outdoor temperatures vary … [Read more...]
A specialist is experienced in repairs and installations doors that can be surprisingly complex. Pocket doors, popular decades ago, became rarer in new construction during the 1960s. Finding a craftsman to repair a pocket door on an older home, or install one in new construction, became difficult. Today, pocket doors are making a comeback and our specialists are in demand. Homeowners appreciate the space-saving aspects of doors that slide into the wall. Pocket doors are increasingly being used for a variety of rooms - home offices, laundry or utility rooms, closets, or bathrooms. In the Bay Area, vintage pocket doors in homes built in the early 20th century require knowledge of older hardware systems. Walls that have shifted with age and become uneven can make operating once-grand pocket doors a frustrating experience. Fixing them requires an especially deft touch. Because practical pocket doors are often heavily used, they require periodic maintenance or replacement. For … [Read more...]
Rainwater seeping through a sliding glass door can cause a lot of damage indoors. Avoid having to repair or replace floors or walls by taking steps to make sure your door is able to keep the rain outside, where it belongs. There are several reasons why water seeps indoors through sliding glass doors: Plugged weep holes. Small slots in the exterior section of track provide drainage when water comes in contact with the glass door. The openings often become clogged with dirt and debris. Use a crevice tool to clear them, or spray compressed air from a can into the opening. You may also need to drill additional slots for better drainage. If weep holes are located in the interior section of the track, the track was installed incorrectly. Improperly sealed door frame. Time and weather can cause caulk to deteriorate. Carefully remove old, dry caulk, then apply new caulk to close gaps between the door and frame. Poor framing. A sliding glass door is no better than the frame … [Read more...]
Outfitting your pocket doors with new handles and locks is an inexpensive way to update the look of your door and possibly improve its function. The hardware on a pocket door that is opened and closed frequently can quickly look worn. On pocket doors installed decades ago, the hardware can also be old-fashioned. Fortunately, there is a wide selection of hardware for homeowners who want to give a door a facelift. There are so many colors and finishes, it may be tough to choose. Installing new handles and locks is a fairly simple job for someone who is handy, but requires precision for the doors to work properly. For the sake of appearance, handles should be level. The two lock components - one on the door, the other embedded in the jamb - should match exactly so the locking mechanism works. Measure carefully in order to do the job right. A common mistake made by homeowners is buying hardware that is incompatible with the door. Measure the thickness of your pocket door and … [Read more...]
Protecting your wood-framed sliding doors from sun damage takes a little effort but makes a big difference in the appearance of the doors. In California, it’s common to see wood sliders that are just a couple of years old faded, dried or cracked on the side facing the outdoors while remaining beautiful on the indoors side. Protecting sliding doors isn’t just a cosmetic step. Moisture can seep into cracks in the wood and ruin a door in short order. A-1 On Track has some suggestions to keeping your sliding doors looking great, inside and outside: Immediately after the doors have been installed, apply a varnish that guards against the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. Marine varnishes offer good protection and are available at most hardware or home improvement stores. Avoid applying stain or paint in the sun. Do it on cloudy days, before sunrise or after sunset. Don’t allow anything that contains a solvent to come in contact with weatherstripping. Solvents cause … [Read more...]
Of all the doors in your home, bifold doors could be considered the workhorse. They’re versatile, practical and fairly easy for a DIYer to install. For closets, bifold doors are often preferable to hinged doors because they take up less space when open. Bifolds are also superior to sliding doors, which also save space but block the section of the closet where they overlap. The two panels of a bifold door fold outwards from the center towards the sides of the opening, allowing for a full view of the contents inside and access to every nook and cranny of the closet. Other benefits of installing bifold doors: They’re inexpensive. Renovators on a budget can appreciate the fact that even prices of higher quality bifold doors compare favorably to other door types. They come in a huge variety of styles and materials. Your bifold doors can become the focus of a whole room remodel, whether you are going for a modern look or want a more traditional theme. They’re … [Read more...]
A few years ago, pocket doors had all but disappeared in American homes. Popular in houses built in the late 1800s and the early part of the 20th century, the doors that were there when you needed privacy and vanished when you didn’t became so scarce, many craftsmen had no idea how to repair or maintain them. They encountered very few. At A-1 On Track, we’re big fans of the practical pocket door. These doors, which slip in and out of the wall cavity via rollers on an overhead track, save tons of space compared to hinged doors. They are especially convenient in small rooms and can greatly simplify furniture arrangement. Pocket doors, when retracted inside the wall, also leave the opening looking clean and uncluttered. Often we see instances in which pocket doors would be a perfect solution but were not considered in construction or renovation plans. Why? Some designers don’t know much about pocket doors and simply choose to overlook them. On other projects in which pocket … [Read more...]
Milgard doors shown Are you considering replacing your sliding doors with elegant French doors? Or thinking of how practical sliders may be an improvement over the hinged French doors you now own? Both types of doors have benefits. Here are some factors to keep in mind: Many people prefer the more traditional look of French doors. But if your home already has several sliding doors, it may make more sense to keep all doors the same. Sliding doors also can be made to resemble, if not function, like French doors. Keeping the bugs out. Opening a door to allow in a cooling breeze can be wonderful. Not-so-great are the insects that also find their way indoors. Sliding doors typically come with exterior screen doors that keep bugs out while the main door is open. French doors typically have no screens because they swing open, so bugs can be a problem. Some people prefer the ease of opening and closing French doors. Sliding doors can sometimes be more difficult to … [Read more...]
In California, sliding doors are wonderful for bringing the temperate outdoors inside. But with winter on its way, you’ll want to keep the chill from coming into your home. There are steps you can take to be sure your sliding doors are ready for the colder months. The good news: Winter-proofing your sliders also pays benefits during the summer months by keeping warm air outside. Outfitting your sliding door with full-length shades or drapes is the most effective way of keeping cold air from seeping indoors. Installing them requires a bit of work and they can be moderately expensive. But shades or drapes are a stylish way to add insulation and keep energy costs down. Forget opening and closing by hand. Many high-end shades and drapes are automated and can be operated via smartphone or computer. Programs enable you to adjust the amount of light in a room throughout the day, all year long. Manufacturers also offer a feature in which the edges of the drape or shade can be … [Read more...]
Sliding doors are wonderful for bringing the California outdoors inside. But when El Niño ushers in a wet winter, you may want to have your sliding doors inspected. If you are accustomed to maintaining your sliders, the following steps should be simple for you. If not, call a local contractor such as A-1 On Track to inspect all sliding doors in your home and make certain they are prepared for El Niño. Here’s how to keep the rain and the chill outside and keep your sliders working all year round: Weatherstripping is important. If your sliders are a few years old, check the seals around the edges of both the stationary and active doors. If weatherstripping is gone or damaged, remove dried adhesive before applying the new stripping. All types of weatherstripping are available at hardware or home improvement stores. The more expensive weatherstripping does a better job of sealing off cold air. Caulk around the perimeter of the door casing, inside and out, if you detect … [Read more...]
