How to Weatherproof a Sliding Glass Door

Sliding glass doors are designed to maximize your home’s natural light and your views of the great outdoors. But what happens when they’re letting hot or cold air in as well? Spare yourself the spike in your utility bills (and other interior issues) with our tips on weatherproofing your sliding glass doors. Read on!

Why Should You Seal Your Sliding Glass Doors?

Typically, glass is a relatively poor insulator. Sliding glass doors largely rely on the surrounding frame to provide as much insulation as possible considering the wide expanse of glass included. If your sliding glass doors are improperly sealed, you may experience significant heat loss and drafts during the winter and sweltering summer temperatures indoors, prompting you to adjust your thermostat more frequently. When your HVAC system is forced to work overtime to keep your home at a comfortable temperature year-round, you’re likely to see a rise in your monthly utility bills. It’s also worth noting that air transfer can result in interior moisture problems like window condensation. So, what can be done?

Save Energy With Weatherproofed Sliding Glass Doors

Limit air leakage and heat transfer by taking steps to weatherize your home’s doors and windows. Pay special attention to your sliding glass doors, which are essentially a window/door combination! Here’s how:

1. Start By Checking Your Door’s Seal

You’ll need to inspect your sliding glass door’s exterior and interior seals to determine whether or not you have an air leak or gap. Outside, examine the state of any caulking along your sliding glass door’s frame; cracked or otherwise damaged caulking needs to be replaced. Inside, push along the frame to check for movement, which is a likely indicator of a leak. Then, open and close your sliding glass doors on a thin piece of paper—a properly sealed door should firmly hold the paper, preventing its removal. 

2. Remove Dirt and Debris From Your Sliding Glass Door Track

Over time and with much use, your sliding glass door track will likely capture and retain a steady pile of dirt and debris. This can cause your doors to slide improperly or jam, reducing their ability to close completely. A regular check and clean of your door tracks is a simple way to reduce heat or air transfer through your sliding glass doors (and they’ll slide more easily, too!).   

3. Replace Ineffective Weatherstripping

Weatherstripping offers protection against air transfer and inclement weather conditions, including rain and snow. You can usually find weatherstripping along the bottom of your sliding glass door, between the door and the frame, but it may also be found elsewhere on your door’s borders. Found in a variety of materials, including rubber, silicone, vinyl and foam tape, weatherstripping is relatively affordable and can be easy to install yourself. Examine and replace any weatherstripping that has become brittle, folded or otherwise compromised.

4. Consider Replacement Sliding Glass Doors

If you can’t find any indication of a leak in your door frame or weatherstripping but continue to see rising energy bills, the glass itself may be the problem. Depending on when your sliding glass doors were installed, a replacement could be worth considering. Today’s model of glass door is built with materials designed for durability and energy efficiency, such as low-E glass. Low-E glass limits the transfer of UV rays while allowing full natural light transmission. With energy-efficient sliding glass doors, you’re less likely to see the kind of air transfer that typically comes with poorly insulated glass.

Open the Door to Window World of Des Moines   

Have you determined that it may be time to replace your sliding glass doors? At Window World of Des Moines, our energy-efficient glass and insulated vinyl frames help your home work smarter, not harder. Explore our selection of top-tier, durable doors, windows, siding and more when you request a free estimate today!