Can we install a sliding door where a window currently is without removing aluminum siding?

Question

We have heard that you can not cut the siding around the rough opening of the door. Why not? Isn't there something we can use to trim around the door on the outside? Otherwise, we have to remove the siding at it's seams and try to reinstall it. It doesn't seem there's a chance that it will go back easily...

Answer 1

seriously,   siding is your last problem here,   yes you will have to remove some and reattach via j trim if the door doesnt come with pre built one on it. and as for the top you would flash it to keep rain out.

however

if you know anything about the anatomy of doors and windows you will know that you also need to calculate in your cutting the opening for a king stud on both sides and a jack stud that's attached to but lower than the king stud, and in between,ie: the difference is where you reinforce with up to code thickness of wood and crippled studs to carry the weight of the outside wall and distribute it properly and evenly onto what's called the header.  

remembre a sliding door is expensive 5 or 6 footers wide,   and you dont want to have it done cheaply   it will be costly in the long run if installed wrong or you can kiss the siding goodbye in the fiest wind storm you get. and worst case you will kiss the door goodbye  the load bearing wall/ or outside wall come tumbeling down on it    then you have to jack up the side of the house and straighten its structure.

seriously    get a reputable contractor.

it should take him about 6-8 hours even if they charge you 300-400 bux for labor (a to z)   it is worth it  actually that s even on the cheap side

dont forget the finishing touches on the inside as well.

if you mess with it unprofessionally, you will be there for days and it wont look proper and then you are going to remembre my words.

also remember this : cheap is expensive.

Answer 2

That is ridiculous, of course you can cut siding of any sort. You will have to do so if you plan to install a sliding door.

Answer 3

yes  can , if you  use a metal cutting blade,on a skill saw.

cut out the rought opening.  this is the size you will need, to install your door,  should be around one and half inchs all around the edge ...  here a clue , when you buy the door , it will tell you what your rought opening should be  !!

      the rest is easy. once installed, just trim out  the door with light metal flashing trim , comes in 3in 4in 5 or 6in wide x 8ft

  dont forget the chalking  to fill in any gaps

Answer 4

You can do this. Get the overall dimension of your new sliding door. This is outside to outside of nailing flange or wood brick mold. Also get the rough opening for the new door. This is the size of hole needed to install the door. Now find the center of the door and mark it on the siding. Now go left/right each way and mark the total outside dimension of the new door. Add 1/4" to this mark on both left and right sides - cut existing siding on these vertical marks.

Now find the center of door again and mark your rough opening dimensions on left/right sides. This is where your support studs will be placed. Place studs with 2"x4" nailed on sides to form the trimmer studs or bucks.Mark on the inside wall the rough opening height for your door, Your side bucks or trimmer studs should be cut so they hit that mark for rough opening height. These shorter trimmer studs or bucks will support the new header for the door. So inside  to inside of your trimmer side studs should equal your rough opening size of new door.

Now remove window,studs,drywall inside,sheating outside.

Install new header from the inside. Use 2"x8" or larger double thickness with filler to match thickness of your wall. Take off inside drywall above door opening to slip header in. Cut old header over window out with a sawzall. Install side 2"x4" studs,bucks-insert new header,Install door. Now simply take some J-mold and cut the back part out of it - so all you have left is the front and the edge. Take some clear silicone and apply it to the side of the frame on the new door or the edge of brick mold. Push your J-trim in the 1/4" space you left on each side of door between where you cut the siding and the door frame. Hold it in place with some blue painters tape until the silicone sets up (couple hours).

Install new drywall above new door on inside where you put in new header. Install new interior trim.

Done