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can glass sliding doors have window replacement or do you have to replace frame as well, glass is double with

Public Comments

1. Yes, the glass alone can be replaced, however depending on the framing that is actually holding the glass, this can sometimes be easily left bent and unstable, requiring to replace the whole door, if the question was meant for the outer frame that the door slides back and forth in, the answer is no, just make sure you get the exact make and design of the original door.


2. yes, call a glass company


3. The short answer is yes, you can have most any glass company replace the double pane glazing on your sliding patio doors. This option can be fairly expensive and may not solve all of your problems.

   If your patio door is over 25 years old, chances are it is not very energy efficient. Old glazing standards didn't leave much space between the glass nor were Low-E or gas additives a readily available option. While the glass is "insulated" because it is double pane, if the door frames are metal, they are probably not of the "thermal break" type. If you live in a cold climate, you will know they are not "thermal break" if you get frost or condensation of the inside of the door frames in the winter. Chances are also good that the roller hardware is in bad condition and that the active door is hard to slide open and closed. Even if your home is only 20 years old and the door is "original equipment", you can rest assured that the builder used the cheapest door available to him at the time and you still have most of the problems mentioned.

   All of that being said, most of the above mentioned problems can be fixed. Of course, the double pane glass (glazing) can be replaced. A good hardware store or lumber yard can special order replacement hardware, such as rollers and tracks, for almost any brand of patio door to make your door operate easier. However if your door does not have a "thermal break" frame, your only option to stop frost and condensation is to install a sliding "patio storm door".

   Sliding patio storm doors are fairly expensive, unsightly, and not very energy efficient. It might be time to invest in a new replacement patio door. There are many options and manufacturers from which to choose.

   I'm not a big fan of vinyl replacement patio doors. They generally don't stand up to the rigors of everyday use for very long and, although they are usually the cheapest option, I would stay away from them. I would pick a heavy framed, thermally broken, aluminum patio door from a recognizable and reputable manufacturer. I would have it installed be a locally recognizable and reputable Contractor.

   Remember, "the bitterness of poor quality lingers long after the sweetness of a cheap price is forgotten".

   Good luck with your project.