How to Measure for a Patio Replacement Door

Sliding doors require exacting measurements.

If you're in the market for a new patio door, one of the first things you need to do is measure the one you're replacing. This will let you know exactly what size and shape of door fits inside the architecture of your existing door frame. Measuring for a patio replacement door must be done in a very specific way to avoid purchasing a new door that doesn't quite fit and needs to be returned.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure

Instructions

1. Use a tape measure to find the height of your current patio door. To accurately find this measurement, measure the distance from the bottom of where the existing door sits (just above the door track) to the bottom part of the area above your existing door (called the "header"). Find this measurement in inches.

2. Measure the existing width of your current patio door frame. This measurement should be taken from the left side of your door frame (on the inside of the frame, not the outside) to the right side of your door frame. Do not measure the doors themselves, as the width of the doors will change depending on the style you select.

3. Measure the thickness of the track your door slides on when you open and shut it. If you're not replacing the current patio door frame and just replacing the doors themselves, the width of the track will help you when selecting replacement doors.

References

• SBS Alaska: Patio Doors
• Andersen Windows: Andersen Windows and Doors