How To Adjust Sliding Door Height

Sliding doors with uneven or cock-eyed heights can prevent them from gliding smoothly. But how can you adjust a sliding door's height? We researched for you so you'll know how to fine-tune a sliding door's height properly.

Adjusting or aligning a sliding door’s height is fairly simple. In many cases, you only need to use a Philips head screwdriver for these jobs. Follow these easy-to-follow steps to correct the doorway’s height:

  1. Find the adjustment screws and remove their covers.
  2. Use the screwdriver to change the door’s height.
  3. Return the screw covers and test the door’s glide.

Aside from sliding glass doors, it’s important to mention that different types of doorways can have varying adjustment methods. Keep reading to learn how to correct the fit of other doors, such as patio and sliding screen doors.

A sliding door on a modern open plan loft apartment, How To Adjust Sliding Door Height

How Do You Adjust The Height Of A Sliding Glass Door?

Sliding glass door misalignments can happen because of uneven rollers. Correct the sliding door’s height by following these steps:

  1. Locate the adjustment screws on your sliding door. Consult the instructions or owner’s manual if you have trouble finding these parts. Remove the plugs covering the adjustment screws.
  2. Use a Philips head screwdriver to fine-tune the sliding door’s height through these screws. Turn the screws clockwise to raise the height and counterclockwise to lower it.
  3. Return the adjustment screw covers and test the doors.

Take note that sliding glass doors need to possess the correct alignment to properly install accessories like magnetic locks. Read the following post to learn more about how to install these security devices on sliding glass doors: How To Install Magnetic Lock On A Glass Door

Also, check out this video to see a sliding glass door adjustment tutorial in action:

How To Adjust Sliding Screen Door Height

Sliding screen doors that don’t fit their door frames need height adjustments. In this section, we'll discuss the equipment and steps needed for this remodeling project.

What You’ll Need

  • Dead blow hammer
  • Needle-nose pliers
  • Ice pick
  • Hack saw
  • Drill
  • Screwdriver

Step-By-Step Guide

  1. Measure the sliding screen door and the amount needed to cut.
  2. Use a pair of needle-nose pliers to remove the spine carefully. Don’t do it hastily, as doing so can tear the mesh.
  3. Remove the frame at the top with the dead blow hammer. Repeat this step on other sides until the frames come off.
  4. Measure the sliding door’s frame from the outside. Then, mark the point of cutting with the ice pick.
  5. Cut the unneeded area with the hack saw. Sand the area if the cut is uneven.
  6. Drill two holes for the rollers’ adjustment screws. Make sure that the holes are near the base of the door.
  7. Remove the burs if they’re present.
  8. Reach for the adjustment screw with a screwdriver.
  9. Reinstall the frame and the door. Push the screen back into place afterward.
  10. Test the door if it glides properly.

If the sliding screen door fits the frame and only needs minor height adjustment, watch the video below for the instructions:

Click here to see this hacksaw on Amazon.

How Do You Adjust Patio Doors Up And Down?

Roof top patio with open space kitchen, sliding doors and decking on upper floor

Patio doors usually fall under two categories: hinged and sliding. The adjustment process for these doorways varies depending on their classes and designs.

For instance, the steps to adjust a hinged Frenchwood inswing patio door entail the following:

  1. Check the position of the fixing screws in the owner's manual. Use an Allen or hex wrench to tighten the screws by turning them clockwise if they're not taut.
  2. Locate and tighten the horizontal adjusting screw, which should be in the middle of the screws you secured from the previous step. Turn this particular screw in the opposite direction until snug. Don't overtighten, as you risk stripping the screw.
  3. Do steps 1 and 2 for the rest of the door's hinges.
  4. Test the door to see if it closes properly.

Take note that moderation is vital in adjusting patio doors. Only make a quarter of a turn with your Allen or hex screws then check the progress of the alignment before proceeding with any adjustments.

Tightening the screws significantly can cause stripping. Otherwise, loosening the adjustment screws too much can remove them, causing the door to fall.

You can also watch the video below for a visual representation of the steps mentioned above:

Additionally, here’s the video to adjust a hinged Frenchwood outswing patio door:

As for adjusting sliding patio doors, you can check out the other sections of this guide to adjust these models accordingly.

How To Adjust The Height On A Pella Sliding Door

A handsome young man installing double sliding patio door in a new house

Pella is a brand that offers products like doors, windows, and replacement parts to customers. The company also supplies offices and residences with different sliding doors, which may require some adjustments during installation and maintenance.

Despite the different sliding door models provided by Pella, all of these units have the same height adjustment methods. The tools and steps required for this reasonably easy project include:

What You’ll Need

  • #2 Phillips Screwdriver and an 8-inch shaft
  • Drill with a 7/32-inch bit
  • Flat-head 3/16-inch wide blade screwdriver

Step-By-Step Guide

  1. Check the door's reveal by sliding the movable plan. The movement should be within 3 inches of the door frame's lock side. The reveal should be equal on both sides. If it isn't, measure the needed distance to adjust.
  2. Adjust the reveal by removing the plastic cap on the roller adjustment holes, which you can find at the bottom edge of the movable panel.
  3. Use the #2 Phillips Screwdriver with an 8-inch shaft to rotate the adjustment screw. Take note that rotating counterclockwise will lower the edge while turning it clockwise raises it.
  4. Test the door if it slides without sticking.

These steps can also help adjust a tilted Pella sliding door. Check out the video below for a visual guide:

Take note that damaged or broken sliding door rollers might become the cause for misaligned sliding doors, regardless of brand or design. If so, replacing these parts will be the best option to solve this problem.

If you want to learn more about how to fix sliding doors jumping off track, read through this post: Sliding Door Keeps Coming Off Track – What To Do?

Click here to see this Pella sliding door roller on Amazon.

Where Are The Adjustment Screws On A Sliding Glass Door?

The locations for the adjustment screws on sliding glass doors often differ with each model. Typically, these screws are near the doors’ rollers and tracks. In units like the Alpen sliding glass door, the adjustment screws are at the interior side of the doorway and above the rollers.

Final Thoughts

To adjust a sliding door height, you should look for roller adjustment screws. Use a Philips head screwdriver to turn the screws in the appropriate position to alter the doorway's height. Turning the screw clockwise will raise the door while turning the part counterclockwise lowers the doorway.

Still, it’s important to know how to adjust specific doors properly. Certain doors, such as Frenchwood inswing or outswing patio doors, can have different adjustment steps than standard sliding doors.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *