Installing Interior Molding on a Sliding Glass Door

large sliding glass door in empty room
  • 2-3 hours
  • Beginner
  • 50-70

There are plenty of good reasons to install the interior molding on your sliding glass doors yourself, ranging from customization to saving a ton of money on hiring a professional to do it for you. In the same way that attractive molding improves the look and feel of your rooms and windows, it can also improve the look of your sliding glass doors. Follow the steps below for an easy do-it-yourself installation.

      Choose A Location

      Before you begin, decide where you would like the molding to sit around your sliding glass door. If you are replacing existing molding, it is recommended to use the existing placement. However, if you’re adding interior molding for the first time, you should use your tape measure to determine the exact placement and mark it lightly with a pencil.

      Prepare The Molding

      Once you have your measurements marked down, use your saw to cut the molding. For newer homes, a good idea is to cut each piece of molding and line them up first before securing the wall. This is to make sure that the pieces will look good and fit together. However, for older homes, there may be some slight warping that results in some unevenness. If this is the case, it is recommended to put the molding up around your sliding glass door piece by piece.

      Install The Molding

      In either case, once you’re ready to begin, choose a side of the door to begin with and start lining the molding up in the exact spots you measured and marked out earlier. Secure the first piece with your carpentry nails. Nail the molding once at each end, and then once in the middle. After the first piece of molding is placed, you can get the next one ready.

      If your home is older, this may mean that you’ll want to start measuring and cutting molding exactly to fit. Otherwise, just take the next piece of molding and secure it in the same manner. Continue this process until all four pieces are up.

      Seal It

      Whether it is an indoor or outdoor job, any areas near doors or windows should be sealed with a caulking gun to ensure that your home is insulated securely.

      Your new interior molding for your sliding glass door should be completed and looking good by the time you finish securing on that last side. At that point, you may stain and paint the molding as you desire, but many people like to keep the molding looking its natural wooden color. In following these steps, you should not have too much trouble at all. But don’t feel ashamed at feeling satisfaction at completing this home improvement project on your own, treat yourself to a well-earned pat on the back.