Take the guesswork out of sourcing your door's replacement parts
Your home is your sanctuary, and if you want to keep it safe and secure, then you need to make sure your doors are in prime working order. And that means that, sooner or later, you’re going to need to order replacement parts.
But sourcing the right part to ensure a perfect fit isn’t always easy. In most cases, you’ll need to know the manufacturer’s name to find the exact replacement part. If you’re not sure how to go about it, though, no worries. We’ve got some tips and tricks to help.
This step might seem obvious, but it actually may not be quite as easy as it sounds. Some door manufacturers will place a small decal or sticker near the latch at the edge of the door frame or on the glass panel, but these are usually removed and thrown away at installation. Sometimes, manufacturers will also print their names on the top or bottom of the door (the part that’s parallel with the floor and ceiling).
If you have sliding glass doors, the label could be a stamped logo rather than a sticker somewhere near the top or bottom of the frame. It’s designed to be inconspicuous, though, so you might need someone to help you tilt the door to find it. Note that the manufacturer’s name is usually somewhere etched/marked on the door or the glass.
If you can’t find a stamp or sticker, then you might need to take an extra research step and look around for doors similar to yours. This can be especially helpful if you live in a tract home or housing complex since contractors tend to buy their materials from the same supplier when building these houses. You could even ask a friendly neighbor if they have any leads on your door’s manufacturer or if they have a model number if you can’t find one on your door.
And, if that doesn’t work, you can call in the experts. A local contractor or, for sliding glass doors, a local glass door installer, can come to your house and take a look. They may be able to identify the original manufacturer or recommend compatible products.
Even though you have to take care to ensure your replacement parts are compatible with the original components, it is possible to buy some products off the shelf. Basic components, such as hinges, latches, and locks, can be pretty standard and easily substitutable unless your door is vintage or custom-made.
You can usually find replacement parts like wheels and tracks fairly easily at your local hardware store even for sliding glass doors.
If your door is heavily damaged or very old, it might be worth it to replace the whole door rather than going through the trouble of locating the right replacement parts and undertaking the repair. The average door lasts around 30 years, so if it’s nearing that milestone, consider purchasing a replacement.
For example, the cost to replace a sliding glass door can range from $1,100 to $3,00 or more. But in exchange, you’ll get a new unit with wholly compatible parts. Plus, you’ll also likely get a manufacturer’s warranty and, depending on the contract you negotiate, possibly an installer’s work guarantee as well.
On the other hand, the average cost to repair an exterior door, including labor, can range from $300 to $1,000, depending on the type of repair and the materials needed. So that means you’ll want to decide whether a whole new replacement unit or a more budget-friendly repair is right for you.
Yes, you can replace just the glass in a sliding glass door so long as there is no damage to the frame. This is especially helpful if you had an unfortunate accident (like a baseball swing to a new door). But if your sliding glass door is already old (think 30 or more years), it will be most cost-effective to replace the entire door.
If your specific sliding glass door model is out of stock or no longer being built, it may still be best to contact the original manufacturer or installer. They can suggest a comparable replacement that is similar in size, avoiding more expensive repairs to retrofit a new door to an older opening.
