Sliding Glass Door Weatherstrip

Installing a sliding glass door weatherstrip is one of the best ways to add some warmth to the room where you have sliding glass doors. Sliding glass doors are considered a fairly upscale addition to a room, such as a dining room that leads to a patio, but they have some definite downsides, and heat transfer is one of them.

Sliding Glass Door Weatherstrip Issues

Heat Transfer

The main problem with heat and sliding glass doors is the ability of the door to seem to “suck” the heat out of the room. This process is called heat transfer. Since the glass is cold, it takes the heat from everything else in the room. This problem is best solved by getting multi-paned glass or by using covers for the windows, such as vinyl blinds or interior shutters.

Drafts

Another major problem with sliding glass doors is that the space around the doors seems to allow air to swoosh into a room. The room feels colder because of the draft along the door. This draft exists because the door needs the wall to permit the roller to slide, which means that there is extra space available for air to enter.

Solutions for Sliding Glass Door Weatherstrip

Consider Alternate Window Types

Many people worry that weather stripping a sliding door will not solve the problem. This is true in that the weather-stripping will not stop all air flow, as if it did; the door would no longer function. If you are particularly concerned, then you may want to try something else, such as getting Anderson replacement windows. You can use sliders, French doors, or other varieties of windows to see the beauty of your view while improving energy efficiency.

Purchasing Weather Stripping

The best solution for weather-stripping sliding glass doors is to purchase weather stripping made specifically for sliding doors. If you have a newer door, it likely came with stripping, but it may need to be replaced.

Rolls of Weather Stripping

Visit your local hardware store to find rolls of weather stripping. They are fairly easy to install. They mainly require precision to get the stripping in the right place and a little time, but you will be able to reduce drastically the amount of air entering the door just by adding this weather stripping.

Durability, Price, and Flexibility

The main decision is the type of weather stripping to purchase. Luckily for owners of sliding glass doors, there are fewer choices available to you. Using metal or hard plastic is not an option, but you should look at the available choices. Factor in the durability you need with the price and flexibility of the weather stripping. For example, houses with children or pets running in and out require a more heavy-duty weather stripping, which probably will be more expensive but will last longer in a high-traffic home.

Installing Weather Stripping

If you opt for not replacing the door, be sure that you check the type of weather-stripping that is available for your specific situaion. If you get down on the floor and check, you will see that the door actually is in parts. There is a center portion that holds the glass in place, and it will be surrounded by two metal grooved pieces that are the frame of the door.

Basic Steps

1. Once the weather stripping is purchased, make sure that you have enough to go from end to end. If your door is six feet across, buy a seven- or eight-foot roll.
2. Start the stripping at one end and run it all the way to the other end without stopping. Go slowly so that you can make sure you are getting the weather stripping straight and tight. Removing and re-sticking it is pretty tough. It is best to set it right the first time.

Once you get your weather stripping installed, you should notice a difference immediately in terms of the heat coming in, and you should see the difference in energy consumption as soon as you get your next bill.

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