A sliding glass door is often overlooked during winterization, yet it’s crucial. Your sliding patio door can let out a lot of controlled temperature from your space if not well insulated. To counter the effects of poor windows and sliding glass door insulation, your HVAC systems need to work extra hard, raising your energy bills.
Invest in insulating curtains, cover the doors with plastic window film, remove debris from your door track and caulk your patio sliding glass door to reduce your energy bills during winter. A double-paned window features an air pocket to insulate your window and eliminate noise.
A sliding glass door is an attractive choice for a patio door because it allows sunlight into your home. However, a sliding glass door increases energy bills if poorly insulated. The good news is it’s relatively inexpensive to insulate your sliding patio door and windows. Here are steps on how to insulate your sliding glass door.
Method # 1 Install Insulating Curtains
Install heavy thermal lined curtains (on Amazon) to help prevent drafts and block loss of heat. These curtains have a layer of acrylic foam between their fabric layers to provide insulation. Insulating curtains prevent airflow through the fabric, reducing heating and cooling costs.
Method #2 Cover the Doors with Plastic Window Film
Plastic window film is an inexpensive solution that can help insulate your sliding glass door and windows. Designed for insulation, plastic window film can be cut to size and fashioned to fit any glass surface.
Method #3 Remove Debris from Your Door Track
Keep your sliding door track and roller clean and free from debris to prevent heat leaks. Debris, gravel, and dirt may prevent the sliding patio door from sealing optimally.
Method #4: Insulate the Frame with Caulk
Increase the efficiency of your sliding door frame by removing damaged caulk and replacing it. Get a high-quality window caulking rope and gel (on Amazon) to ensure your insulation process delivers the desired result.
How to Determine if Your Windows are Double-Paned
A double-pane window features two glass panes set into separate frames. With a small space between them, the two glass panes create an air pocket designed to better your space.
The air pockets ensure outdoor air temperature doesn’t affect the indoor air temperature. These air pockets also prevent condensation.
Here’s how to tell if your Windows are double-paned:
- Conduct Visual Inspection: Check the inside edge of your window. A double-paned window features two panes and a spacer system that separates the two-pane. If the window lacks the spacer system, it’s a single pane.
- Conduct Physical Inspection: Raise the window and position your fingers so you can touch both sides of your window in the same spot. If your fingers are close enough to near touching, then your window is likely to be single-paned.
- Candle Up: Do you see a reflection when you candle or hold a flame to the glass? Ensure you look at the glass from an angle instead of staring straight. If you see two flames reflection, your window is double-paned. You have a single-paned window if it’s just one flame reflection.
Benefits of Double-Pane Windows
Here are some of the main benefits of using double-paned windows for your home:
Keeps Away Noise
The world outside your walls can be noisy. From loud neighbors to busy roads and rail rock tracks, there are many sounds from the surroundings to push through single-paned windows and disparate your peace.
Double-paned windows limit noise pollution limit. The extra layer of glass helps to keep noise out. With double panes, you increase your home’s comfort and lower your energy bills, and it’s a worthy investment that also boosts your home’s value.
Prevents Window Condensation
During colder months, it’s common to see heavy condensation build-up on single-pane windows. Window condensation is a result of the difference between interior and exterior temperatures.
While window condensation may seem just like a minor issue of annoyance, it’s indeed a sign of a much bigger problem. Single-paned windows allow the cold temperature to get into your home, resulting in inefficient heat transfer in your space.
Insulates Your Windows
Keep cold out during winter and heat out in the summer using double-paned windows. Double-pane windows feature double seals that offer your space superior insulation. If the seals are broken, your window loses insulating properties.
Signs Its Time to Replace Your Sliding Glass Door
Here’s a list of seven common signs that your sliding door needs replacement or repair:
Sliding Door Makes Noise
Your sliding door shouldn’t make any noise when opening or closing it. If there’s noise, your sliding door has a mechanical problem and may need replacement. However, try to clean or rubricate the track before replacement to clear any stuck objects. If that doesn’t help, it’s time for a new sliding door.
Condensation Between the Panes
Condensation on the exterior part of the sliding door is normal, but if there’s condensation between the window panes, it’s a red flag. Your seal is probably broken, leaking the inert gas, so your sliding door has lost insulation. With no insulation, your glass will always be foggy.
Feel a draft?
If your sliding glass door is drafty, it can increase energy bills because drafty doors let air seep in. It would be best if you had an airtight seal, so you don’t end up with a drafty door. Ensure your seal is tight to prevent water damage.
Cosmetic or Structural Appeal
Any damages like chipping paint, scrapes, or scratches are clear signs your sliding door is getting old and needs replacement. Replace your sliding glass door to boost the aesthetic appeal of your home.
Gaps Around the Doors
Gaps around your sliding door frames make your home vulnerable to pest infestations, and the gaps can lead to increased energy costs and create a security breach.
Gaps can be caused by severe warping or tilting of the sliding door. You’ll need a door replacement if you notice gaps around the surrounding frames.
Do You Feel the Warmth?
If your sliding glass door lets the summer warmth seep into your space, it maybes time to upgrade it. Install a modern sliding door made from double-pane glass to boost heat gain or loss. In addition, a modern sliding glass door improves indoor living conditions and increases energy efficiency.
Difficult to Open
You might need a replacement when your sliding door doesn’t latch, slide or close quickly. However, before you replace your sliding glass door, clean the track and see if that helps. Damaged rollers or improper installation can also lead to difficulties opening or closing the sliding doors.