Replacing the essentially non functional exterior door with a window will make the home more secure and will enhance the look of the room by letting in more natural light.
Replacing a french door with a window.
Exterior doors may not be changed if they are also an important exit.
As you look at replacing your sliding patio door with a french patio door there are a variety of options and upgrades to consider.
The existing door and its frame must be removed first.
Patio door options and upgrades.
Turn your door into a window.
Use 2 x 4s to frame the door and fill the area between the door opening and door size if needed.
Make sure it s legal to replace your door with a window.
The good news about turning a window into a door assuming it s wide enough is that the advanced carpentry required for altering a load bearing wall.
Remove any remaining caulking and lose debris around the doorway then clean the work area.
Doors frames are generally not load bearing.
So you ve just built a new deck on the back of your house and those once lovely double windows in the living room would now make a better door sliding glass or french out to that awesome deck.
Measure the opening and the door to check the fit.
This old house general contractor tom silva shows the proper way to install a new window into an old and oversized doorway opening.
Remove the existing door.