Patio door installation: a guide for pros

What customers ask, how to win the job, and what to put on your profile.

Offering patio door installation

Patio door installation is a framing, flashing and glide job where the sill, the shimming and the threshold decide whether the door stays dry and runs smoothly. Your win is measuring the opening, checking the sill and showing the homeowner the water path before the door goes in.

What customers ask

  • Will the new patio door stop the drafts and the leaks at the sill?
  • Will the door glide smoothly, and how long will that last?
  • Can you keep the old frame?
  • What glass do I need for the sun on my back patio?
  • Will the threshold be a trip hazard?
  • What warranty do I get on the glass and the install?

How to win the job

  • On the first call, ask for the door size, the panel count, the frame material, the sun exposure and any leaks or drafts, so you bring the right glass and frame samples.
  • Bring a sample of the frame finish, the glass package and the threshold to the visit, and show the homeowner how the threshold seals.
  • Check the sill, the jambs and the framing from inside and outside on the site visit, probing for rot and photographing any soft spots.
  • Put the door unit, glass package, frame, sill pan, flashing, threshold, lock and framing repair in the quote as separate lines.
  • Explain the sill pan and flashing plan in plain words, so the homeowner sees how water leaves the opening.
  • Test the glide, the lock and the seal before you leave, and check the threshold with the homeowner present.
  • Send a closeout packet with the door product name, glass package, warranty papers and a photo log of the sill flashing.

What to put on your profile

  • Photos of finished patio door installs that show the sill, the threshold and the flashing
  • Patio door frame materials you install, such as vinyl, wood, fiberglass and aluminum
  • Glass packages you offer, including insulated, laminated and low-E options
  • Service area and whether you handle sill and framing repair in the same visit

Follow-up that helps the customer

  • Offer a track, roller and weatherstrip check after the first year, since the glide and the seals wear over time.
  • Suggest a shade or film for the glass if the back of the house gets strong sun.
  • Recommend a sill and threshold inspection each year, to catch water that is getting past the door.

Licenses and permits

Patio door installation is commonly done by licensed window or door contractors, and rules vary by place. Check your state and local licensing requirements before you bid, including permits for opening, sill, framing or structure changes.

Questions

Do I need a permit to replace a patio door?

Often not for a like-for-like swap. Enlarging or moving the opening, or changing the framing, usually needs one. Check with the local building office before you quote.

How do I handle rot found at the sill once the old door is out?

Stop, photograph the rot, and send a priced change order before you repair it. Repair the sill and framing first, then set the door.

Can I use a low threshold on a patio door?

Yes, if the flashing and the sill pan are set to carry water out under the threshold. A pro should check the height and the flashing before the threshold is fixed.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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