One of the best ways to allow natural light into your house is by installing a sliding glass door. It also adds an aesthetic look to your home and gives it a beautiful view from the inside.
However, like any glass product, a sliding door can also get damaged or broken. In this situation, you might wonder if it is possible to get only one side replaced. Sometimes, your only option would be to replace the entire door.
You can replace only one side of a sliding glass door in most cases. However, this mainly depends on the condition of the door frame and the level of damage done to it.
Depending on various factors like model and design, you might have to replace the whole door instead.
If there is any part of a broken glass door, it should be repaired or replaced as quickly as possible. So, if you’re interested in learning about how to replace one side of a sliding glass door, keep reading.
Main Reasons To Replace A Sliding Glass Door
It can be quite confusing when you have to decide on either repairing or replacing your sliding glass door. How can you tell if a replacement is your best option?
Here are the main reasons you might want to consider a replacement:
Broken Rollers
Rollers are an important component of sliding glass doors as they facilitate the doors in moving from one side to the other.
If your door feels jammed or is difficult to slide towards one side, there may be an obstruction in the rollers.
In some cases, the rollers might have dust particles making them less smooth. You can simply clean them with a brush and lubricate them with oil as a quick fix.
However, a broken roller mostly needs to be replaced with a new one.
Twisted Door
Does your door look bent or twisted? This means the rollers are unable to support the door and are not moving on the track.
This leads to difficulty in opening and closing the door and the door simply doesn’t move in a straight line.
Either you can fix the rollers by tightening or replacing their screws, or you might have to change the whole glass door if the damage is too much.
You can assess the door by looking at it carefully. Are there any spaces between the wall and the door? This indicates you will have to replace the door.
Bent Track
Sometimes, you might be facing bent tracks on the door. These can lead to a hindrance in your door’s movement and can even break it down when you try to open or close it.
In this scenario, you shouldn’t attempt to repair the door at home unless you have the proper tools and knowledge. Calling in a professional is usually the best solution.
Broken Glass
One of the main reasons you might want to replace the entire door is broken glass. An accident or natural disaster can lead to cracks or damage to the glass on your door. What can you do?
Even if there is a small scratch or crack in the glass, repairing it as early as possible is important. Ignoring it can lead it to worsen, and then a replacement will be your only option.
With broken glass, there is a serious risk of injury and accidents, so it’s best to call in a professional. There are glass repairing companies who can easily help you with this issue.
Spaces In the Door
Sometimes, there may be gaps or spaces between the sliding door and its frames.
This reduces the efficiency of the sliding glass door and disrupts the cooling and heating system. The gaps also allow dust particles to enter your room.
So, how can you look for these gaps? Simply stand outside and use a torchlight to throw light on the sliding door. Then, send someone inside to check for gaps. It is usually very easy to spot them.
Opening and Closing Issues
Another reason you might want to replace your sliding glass door is when there are problems in opening and closing it.
This means the door is failing to operate properly due to wrong installation, damaged rollers or tracks, or simple wear and tear.
This issue can be frustrating and even dangerous. If the problem doesn’t get solved easily, replacing the door with a new one is the best solution.
How To Replace Broken Glass Of A Sliding Door
If you are dealing with broken glass on your sliding door, you can replace it in five easy steps. Remember, you should always attempt to do this with caution.
Here are the required tools:
- Hammer
- Gloves
- Putty Knife
- Permanent Marker
- Measuring Tape
- Caulk
- Glass Cutter
- Pry Bar
- New Glass
Make sure you have all the above-mentioned tools before you begin. And that you have the required skills to use all the objects safely.
Then follow these easy steps:
Step 1: Remove The Clips
Wear your safety gloves. Using a putty knife, hammer, and a pry bar, start by removing the clips and shards of broken glass. It can be used again so don’t waste it. Then clean the clips properly.
Step 2: Take Off Broken Glass
Now, take off the broken glass from the door frame with utmost attention and care. You must be very careful to avoid any accident or injury. You can use a putty knife to remove any small glass pieces left behind.
Step 3: Measure The Frame
Now you’re going to install the new glass frame. Accurate measurements are key here.
So, use a measuring tape and start measuring from left to right and then from the head to the foot of the door frame. You should leave out 1/4 inches from all the sides.
Step 4: Prepare to Install The New Glass
Place the new glass on your door and draw some marks on it according to the measurements you took. Use a permanent marker for this.
Then use a straight ruler and a glass cutter to cut the glass in a straight line. Being super careful is essential as any small mistake can lead to an accident.
Step 5: Install The New Glass
Finally, you can now install the new glass. Use some silicone caulk and apply it to the empty spaces. Place the glass very gently on the caulk.
You can add more caulk on the edges to keep the glass in place. Also, place the clips using nails and holes of the same size as before.
Final words
We hope this article was informative and helpful for you. Before you start to repair or replace a broken glass door at home, make sure you have taken the necessary safety precautions and are not putting yourself or others at risk.
As always, if there is any confusion, it is best to leave the job to the professionals.
