Sliding patio doors
Sliding Patio Doors in Scarborough
Old sliding doors usually fail in one of two ways. The latch wears out, or the whole panel can be lifted off its track from outside. Either way, it is the easiest way into a lot of houses. Fortress Windows & Doors replaces sliding patio doors across Scarborough with doors that lock at several points and still glide open with one hand.
Reviewed by Steve McCue and Steve Mercer, owners, Fortress Windows & Doors Inc.
Since 1989
Owner-run, family business
Canadian-made
Built for Ontario winters
Our own install crew
No subcontractors
Lifetime warranty
Covers product and labour
How they work
What makes a patio door secure
The fix for a weak latch is a multipoint locking system. Instead of a single hook catching the frame, bolts engage at more than one point along the edge of the panel, so prying at the latch alone does nothing.
The glass matters too. A patio door is the biggest pane of glass in most houses, and security glass means a broken pane does not simply open a hole to walk through. On a recent job in Oro-Medonte, the owner got both, a multipoint lock and security glass, and the door still slides open with one hand.
Choosing one
Comfort through a wall of glass
Because there is so much glass, the glass package decides whether the room near the door is comfortable in February. Low-E coatings reflect heat back into the room, and an argon-filled sealed unit slows heat moving through the glass. If your current door frosts up on the inside or you feel cold air standing near it, the seals and the glass have both reached the end.
A sliding door also takes a beating at the bottom track. Grit, ice and years of use wear the rollers down until the door drags. A new door with a clean sill and fresh rollers is often the first thing homeowners notice.
Good to know
What to know before you order
Sliding or hinged?
A slider does not swing into the room, so it is the practical pick where a table or couch sits close to the door. If you want a wider opening or a more traditional look, garden doors swing on hinges like a pair of French doors. We install both and can show you the difference at the measure visit.
Sizes and which panel slides
Most openings take a 5-foot or 6-foot two-panel slider. One panel is fixed and the other slides, and you choose which side moves. Pick the side that opens toward where people walk, not toward the barbecue or a planter. If the opening is wider, three- and four-panel configurations are possible, but they are a bigger job and usually mean framing changes.
Screens run on their own track outside the moving panel. A good screen that rolls freely matters more than people expect, since it gets used every day from May to October.
How we install it
The old door and frame come out, and the subfloor under the sill gets checked. Water that has been getting past a worn sill for years often shows up here as soft wood, and it has to be fixed before the new door goes in or the new door will not stay level. The new unit is set level, insulated and sealed, and the panels are adjusted until they roll smoothly and lock without force.
Installation is done by our own crew under Steve McCue, who has been installing windows and doors for 37 years. You can see a patio door we put in as part of a whole-house project in our Oro-Medonte write-up.
Signs it is time to replace
A few things tell you a patio door is done rather than due for a tune-up. Fog or moisture between the panes means the seal has failed and the glass has lost its insulating gas. Daylight visible around the panel when it is closed means the weatherstrip is gone. And if the door has to be lifted to close or lock, the frame or sill has usually moved. New rollers will not fix any of those.
Warranty
The True Fortress Exclusive Lifetime Warranty covers the door and the labour to service it, not just the part.
Where we install
Scarborough is home, and we cover the rest of Toronto and east into Pickering. Up north, our Barrie office handles Barrie. For front doors, see steel and fibreglass entry doors.
Our process
How the job runs
From first call to final walk-through.
Book a measure
Call (416) 291-5795 or send the quote form.
Measure and options
We measure the opening, check the sill and floor, and go through sizes, glass and lock hardware.
Written quote
One price, door and install included.
Install
Old door out, sill area checked and repaired if needed, new door set and sealed.
Walk-through
We show you the lock and the rollers and confirm it slides and seals properly.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make a sliding patio door more secure?
The most effective upgrade is a door with a multipoint locking system, which engages the frame at several points instead of a single latch, combined with security glass. Older sliders often fail at the latch or can be lifted off the track, so replacing the door fixes both weaknesses.
Why is my patio door hard to slide?
Worn rollers and a dirty or damaged bottom track are the usual cause. On older doors the rollers may be worn out or the sill may have shifted, and replacement is often the better long-term fix.
Should I choose a sliding door or garden doors?
Sliding doors do not swing into the room, which suits tight spaces near furniture. Garden doors swing on hinges, give a wider opening and a more traditional look, but need clear floor space for the doors to open.
What warranty comes with a Fortress patio door?
Fortress patio doors are covered by the True Fortress Exclusive Lifetime Warranty, which includes the product and the labour to service it.
Do you replace patio doors in Scarborough?
Yes. Fortress Windows & Doors is based on Sheppard Ave E in Scarborough and has replaced patio doors since 1989. Call (416) 291-5795 for a free quote.
Get a free quote on sliding patio doors
One written price, measured by an owner. Call (416) 291-5795 or book online.