subject: Open Up The View by Randy Mate [print this page] Open Up The View by Randy Mate Open Up The View by Randy Mate
Without changing the size of a room, you can make it seem a lot bigger. We recently installed two sliding glass patio doors for a couple in La Crescenta so they could have better access and get a better view. We did some drawings, pulled permits and then knocked out the wall and framed an opening for the new patio doors. It is quite usual when breaking out a wall for a door or window to have to move electrical, such as wall plugs, and plumbing, such asthe hose faucet. And, the framing must be done in such a way to maintain the support of the roof by the walls.
The doors we installed were standard height, 6'8" - one was6 feet wide and the other was 8 feet wide. In this case we installed dual-glazed, vinyl-clad sliding doors. "Glazed" means to put glass in a frame. "Dual" means two and dual-glazed means 2 layers of glass with a vacuum-sealed space between with an inert gas that doesn't contain moisture (so it won't condensate between the panes). Having two panes of glass acts as an insulation and a buffer to outside noise. If you do put a door in, you have to keep in mind what you step out onto. Need to move a planter? Or add steps down to the patio? The ground has to slope outward so water will not come into your home.
After the door was installed, we patched the stucco outside and fixed upthe walls inside. Got questions? Feel free to callme Toll Free 800-694-2639. I'm always willing to answer any home improvement questions you might have.
