Santa Monica Windows & Doors That Keep Water Out
Santa Monica glass doors and wide openings flashed against wind-driven rain and salt air, with drained sills and corrosion-resistant hardware.
Water is the first thing to plan for when a Santa Monica wall becomes a wide glass door. Wind can push rain sideways at the opening, and salt air along the coast works on hardware and fasteners. So the sill is sloped and drained, the head is flashed under the building paper, and the rollers and screws are stainless, all so the room can stay open to the patio without trouble.
Flashing, sills and drainage
A wide opening is a big hole in the weather barrier. We line the rough sill with a sloped pan that turns up at the back and the ends, so any water that gets past the door drains out. The sides are wrapped with flashing tape lapped over the pan. At the head, the flashing goes under the building paper above, never on top of it. The door's own sill has weep holes that need to stay clear, and the patio surface outside should fall away from the threshold.
Materials for a coastal lot
Close to the ocean, aluminum frames should carry a marine-grade finish, and hardware should be stainless or coated for corrosion resistance. Fiberglass and clad wood frames also hold up well in salty air, and both take a fresh coat of paint when the finish wears. A lot here may sit in the state coastal zone, which can add a step before the city permit, so we confirm it early. The Santa Monica building department reviews structural work for a new opening, and Brentwood, Venice and Pacific Palisades file with LADBS.
Windows & Doors in Santa Monica: what people ask
Usually wider than the old door, once an engineer sizes a beam for the load above. The wider the span, the deeper the beam and the heavier the posts. The final width also depends on how much wall is left for shear, which the engineer checks too.
Pick the system with good drainage in its sill and stainless rollers. Sliders shed water well and seal tight. Folding units open the full width but have more joints to seal. Pocket units clear the opening and need a pocket that stays dry. We quote each option on one opening.
A beam, its posts and their footings, sized by an engineer and approved by the city. We support the ceiling, remove the studs, set the beam and fasten the connectors. Rust-resistant hardware is a sensible choice near the coast for anything that will be covered.
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