Sliding glass doors are an essential part of any summertime home. These elements provide easy access to the porch and other outdoor activities. They’re also a stylish addition that doesn’t dampen your square footage and are a go-to source of natural light in your home. If these doors aren’t installed or designed properly, they may lead to increased costs from unwanted outdoor air seeping into your home.
Window World TX is here to provide energy-saving tips and tricks to prepare you for the summer. It’s crucial to inspect your sliding glass doors for air leaks and other issues., Here are a few ways to ensure you’re getting the most out of your doors and avoiding indoor air loss.
Clean The Tracks By Clearing Debris
Even though they may be considered minuscule and unproblematic, even the smallest clumps of dirt, pet hair, and other debris can cause problems. These materials can get trapped in the tracks of the door, creating a blockage.
Obstructions like these can cause the door to lift off the tracks, allowing unwanted air to seep in and affect the airflow in your home. Regular cleaning of the door tracks can prevent this and save you money on your electric bill.
Air Sealing
Have you run your heater or air conditioning more than usual but not felt any of the effects? This could be a sign that it’s time to weatherize your sliding glass doors. Make sure that all gaps and cracks are sealed. All unsealed holes allow unwanted hot or cold air to enter the home. Air sealing can be done with a simple caulk job of the gaps and casings of the door.
Insert An Additional Barrier
Nobody wants to deal with a drafty sliding glass door! If you have had your home inspected for gaps and cracks or cleared debris from the tracks and still feel air seep through, an additional barrier for the sliding glass door is an option to consider. Patio insulation kits are a great option to help prevent air from escaping and entering. The kit usually comes with rubber strips that adhere to the doorframe and prevent unwanted drafts. Insulating thermal curtains can block drafts and prevent the loss of heat. Plastic window film is also an inexpensive temporary fix for the problem.
Weather Stripping
Sliding glass doors that have been correctly installed have weather stripping. However, these will deteriorate over time. Having a kit that properly fits your door and using only one piece at a time will maximize its effectiveness. Place the piece in between areas with drafts to seal the leak and prevent any air from escaping or entering.
Contact Us To Weatherize A Sliding Glass Door
Window World TX has a team of experts that are ready to help maximize your comfort and energy savings! By following these simple techniques and performing maintenance on your sliding glass door, you’ll save money on your electric bill through the hot and cold seasons. Plus, with all that money saved, you can spend more time doing fun outdoor activities with your friends and family. Contact our team to learn how to weatherize your home and prepare for any season!
