"Walter Cohen" wrote in message
...
I want to have my sliding patio doors replaced.
I am fairly certain that the doors there now are the standard size (72" x
80").
I know little about construction and door/window sizings, rough openings,
etc...

The standard sized Andersen doors I want to get specify a rough opening of
71 1/4 x 80 is needed.
Question: the frame for the doors that I have now measure exactly 72 x 80.
Will the standard sized Andersen doors (above) fit correctly? What needs
to
be done to the opening?

The odds are it will fit fine- a six-foot slider is probably the most common
size in north america. Are you planning on installing it yourself? If so,
and you haven't done it before, recommend buying one of the DIY books at
the big-box- the pictures will explain better than words ever could. Note
that you will need at least 2 strong guys to assist- these suckers are
heavy, and Anderson will be heavier than most. (wood frame, right?) If you
are hiring it done (highly recommended the first time, as a learning
experience), the installer will know how to shim and square appropriately,
and most important, how to flash it appropriately. Do NOT remove the
horizontal shipping strip in the middle until the door is in place. If your
rough opening is a hair too small, there are ways to fine-tune reality, but
you need to know what you are doing. Any adjustments over 1/2 or 3/4 or so
to the opening usually mean reframing the wall a little. If your hole is
slightly too wide, it just means adding a little wood to one or both sides,
and inventing a way to make the outside trim look right, if it doesn't cover
the old hole in the siding or brick or whatever.

aem sends....