Expert Tips on How to Winterize & Insulate Sliding Glass Doors

Do you typically feel a cold draft in your home during the winter? It’s important to check your doors and windows for any source of cold air coming through. Drafts can be common but are not normal for a high-quality installation–although a common complaint from homeowners with outdated or inefficient sliding glass doors. If you are unable to replace your door right now, here are some at-home tips you can try!

Here are our five recommendations to help winterize your sliding glass doors and keep your home feeling warm and cozy this season:

1. Clean any debris from sliding door tracks
2. Seal gaps and take care of any cracks you may have
3. Check the weatherstripping
4. Add fin seal or brush fin weatherstripping
5. Use window film insulation kit to cover doors

Clean any debris from sliding door tracks.

Your doors can be a collect-all for things like dirt, pet hair, and other debris that might be in your home causing the door to lift off its track leading to drafts and lack of energy efficiency.

Making sure to frequently vacuum your door tracks, as well as wiping any dirt and debris can help eliminate drafts. Using a shop vac or an attachment on your regular vacuum cleaner makes for an easy clean-up!

Seal gaps and take care of any cracks you may have.

Gaps and cracks around your sliding door can result in your interior temperature being off. Have you noticed that you’re adjusting your thermostat but not feeling much change? Making sure all gaps around your windows are sealed by caulking around the sliding door casing can make all the difference! Before caulking, scrape and vacuum old caulk or sealant. Then apply caulk to your newly cleaned sliding door frame where it meets the window.

Check the weatherstripping.

Professionally installed sliding doors have been installed including weatherstripping but the material can deteriorate over time. Our recommendation is to replace your weatherstripping every few years.

The most effective weatherstripping application is with one continuous piece. Measure the four sides of your sliding glass door, then find the proper size kit that allows you to apply and seal your door all the way around.

Add fin seal or brush fin weatherstripping.

Some doors are installed with foam weatherstripping which doesn’t always hold up to continuous use (particularly in cold climates).

You can replace the foam with weatherstripping known as fin seal or brush fin specifically designed for sliding glass doors. Fin seal or brush seal weatherstripping has a mylar fin in the middle of the pile, or brush material. This material is extremely reliable and can withstand all climates, and high-traffic areas.

Use a window film insulation kit to cover doors.

You’ve filled any gaps and cracks around your sliding door, but still, feel cool air through your windowpane? Try a window insulation kit for your patio doors! Insulation film basically acts as a storm window and can be applied with adhesive or magnetic tape.

Insulation kits can help:

• Save energy and reduce your heating costs
• Reduce condensation on the glass
• Prevent frost buildup on your sliding door

Applying film to a sliding glass door is a fairly simple DIY project, here’s how to do it:

• Clean any debris from your sliding door, then measure all four sides of your door frame.
• Cut and measure the adhesive or magnetic tape that comes with the patio door insulation film kit adding 10+ inches to height and width measurements for a 5’ overhang on each side of your sliding door.
• Apply adhesive tape to your whole door, leaving a 1-inch space from your framed edge.
• Press the plastic film firmly to your pre-taped patio door frame starting at the top and working down to the bottom of the glass without leaving any gaps.
• Grab a hairdryer, select high heat, then blow-dry the plastic to smooth out wrinkles in the insulation film.

We hope these tips and tricks are helpful in keeping your home draft-free and warm all winter long! For more insulating tips, check out our blog on The Best Tips to Insulate Windows for Winter for more DIY projects!

Have questions? Get in touch today!

Give us a call at (604) 800-5176 for a free estimate on a replacement door! Our team of experts can assist in choosing the best patio door for your home.