Even if it doesn’t look like it, most home glass doors are double pane and gas-filled. Sliding glass doors or patio doors are beautiful and durable. Many will last more than 20 years with a little bit of maintenance and love. Although, a protected exterior door could last the lifetime of the home itself.
Most technologies have improved everything in the past 20 years and glass doors are no exception. They’re more durable and more beautiful than ever — as well as energy-saving.
There are, though, common issues when there’s damage to a door. What are they and how can you fix them? Does it always need a replacement, or can you get away with glass door repair?
We’ll cover this and more in this article, so keep reading!
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Problems With Home Glass Doors
There are several issues that you can have because of a problem with your home’s glass doors. Not all home glass door problems are problems directly with the doors themselves. They often cause secondary issues.
- Water or condensation is collecting between glass panes
- Your doors provide no noise reduction
- Your glass panes fog easily
- You notice it’s too hot or cold inside your home
- They don’t open or close as easy as before
- You have a higher electric bill
When Repair Is an Option for Home Glass Doors
If the issue is with the track, or with the wheels, you might just need to clean them. Every time your door opens and closes, the wheels grab up hair, dirt, dust, and maybe even bugs (ick!).
Good service on the wheels could be what your doors need to start rolling easily again. Once you’ve done the wheels, clean the track with alcohol and they can get a silicon spraydown. The head track and bottom track can get this treatment.
The bottom track, though, takes the brunt of the force, due to gravity. Because of this, buying a paraffin wax block and giving it a rub will help to protect it and get it rolling right along.
Pro tip: Parrafin wax and candle wax are definitely not the same, especially if the candle has been made with soy. It’s best to get a block from a home improvement store.
Weatherstripping on the door can also be replaced fairly easily, but as with the track and wheel service, the door will need to be removed. Since you’re fixing one, you might as well get both done.
When You Need Home Glass Door Replacement
Anything to do with the glass or the seal between panes of glass, such as moisture and condensation collecting on the inside, requires replacement.
Once the noble gas (usually argon) is gone, there’s no way to fill it again to factory standards. This only happens with excessive vibration or impact that breaks the seal on the glass panes, but it’s more common than you think. Especially if you have large dogs.
Broken panes produce the safe effect as leaking argon. Higher bills due to inefficient heat insulation, loss of noise reduction, and moisture buildup.
The cost of repairing the glass is probably similar to getting a brand new door with a new warranty and newer technologies and materials.
Home Glass Door Repair and Replacement: Right on Track
Home glass doors are a great investment for your home, giving you many advantages. They need a little love from time to time but generally have a very low maintenance requirement. Fortunately, you have options for the most basic issues that come up.
Need more advice about home repairs? Keep browsing our articles for the latest and best home and home improvement news!