Care
and operation of sliding patio doors
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Care and operation of sliding patio doors
Opening Closing and Locking the Doors
Your sliding patio door system is designed with a locking handle for easy operation and security. The handle should be used at all time to properly open and close the operating door panel. The finger-operated toggle switch located on the handle is used to prevent the door from opening. By moving the panel to its fully closed position and moving the toggle button to its opposite position, the latching mechanism will engage the jamb and secure the operating panel.
Some doors may come with the optional trailing spring-loaded lock located on the center rail at either the sill or head position of the door. This is a simple trigger-operating device that offers additional security. Be careful to disengage and engage when the sliding panel is in a stationary position otherwise you could do damage to the keeper or throw bolt if prematurely activated.
Cleaning the Door
Because most patio doors are accompanied by exterior decks or patio areas no special operation is required to clean both interior and exterior glass surfaces. Please refer to the sections that detail the care and cleaning of vinyl, aluminum and glass surfaces.
Lubrication and Cleaning
The operating panels of your patio door are equipped with rollers that move horizontally along a sill track. These tracks are exposed to outside elements and can collect dust, dirt and debris. A semi annual cleaning is recommended to prevent this material from disturbing the proper operation of the patio door system. The roller mechanisms are self-lubricating and additional lubrication is not required. However, in areas of heavy pollution or weathering, a light coat of spray silicone may be applied to the rollers to ensure easy operation.
It is sometimes helpful to apply a light coating of spray silicone to the interior vinyl leaf weather-strip. This will help reduce the friction between the panel and the weather-strip. Note: make sure the silicone is for wood and plastics and is compatible with finish applied to your door.
Your patio door is equipped with adjustable rollers to ensure proper installation and operation. If your patio door becomes difficult to operate even after you have completed all of the above care and cleaning guidelines, do not attempt to adjust the rollers yourself. You should contact your contractor or installer.