Doors and Windows - sliding glass doors

Hi again. I am a General Contractor in California. Last week I asked about insulation above a garage and you were very helpful. Here is another query for you. I have a client with a series of 3 sliding glass doors leading to the balcony. The middle is the only one that slides. The width of the entire opening is roughly 141" wide x 79.5" tall. They are old and single paned and let a lot of inside air escape thus creating a problem maintaining a temperature in the room. My client was interested in replacing the entire set of three, and wanted a double paned slider if there is such a monster. If so, can you direct me to the manufacturers name? I would like to obtain some materials quotes from perhaps 3 companies. If this is not in her budget,is there an option of tinting with some product that increases r-value and yet does not darken the windows too much. I am sure that the tinting would be easy enough to hsve done, but will it really be effective? Thank you. I look forward to your reply. Dave

Hi Dave,
I had a similiar situation a few years back. A customer had an enclosed porch that he wanted to get more use from. It had sliders all around. It was far to expensive to replace all the units. We ended up replacing the glass. This particular manufacturer and I would imagine others might do the same, made the sliding door and partitions from the same stock they used to make units with thermopane. I imagine it cuts down on costs so they can ship single to the warm climates and thermo to the colder. They simply used a thicker gasket on the single to take up the space. Standard thickness for a thermo unit is 5/8 though it is not a rule. Remove one of the sides and measure the back side of the gasket on the single pane and it will give the overall width, though deduct an 1/8" or so for the new gasket on the thermopane. Standard sizes for the glass are 34/76. 33/75. 28/76 and 48/76. Measure daylite on the units and if the measurements are about an inch less than it is an inexpensive solution. Even with a custom glass size, it would be less expensive than replacing everything. I was able to pick up a whole roll of the gasket material from a window dealer for $50.00. It's now considered old stock and they were happy to see it go. It is specific for sliders and not the same as for windows as it has a deeper channel. I would also suggest calling CR Lawrence at 800-421-6144 (online too.)and ask them for a Big Red Catalogue. They have the most complete selection of replacement weatherstripping and wheel assemblies for patio doors as you could do a total refurbish on the doors.

[Edited by Small Job Service on 02-02-01 at 07:20]

3-lite sliders like you described are available in aluminum, vinyl or clad frames. Vinyls are done slightly differently than the aluminum and clads. They will have an 8' slider, and then a seperate picture window will be installed next to it, with snap-in mullions to join everything together. The aluminums or the clads will come with a full frame, and three seperate lites that you assemble into the frame once it's installed, just like any other sliding glass door. All major window mfgrs. have these available.