{"id":641,"date":"2018-12-14T13:59:22","date_gmt":"2018-12-14T13:59:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.expressdoorsdirect.co.uk\/blog\/?p=641"},"modified":"2024-09-16T16:22:38","modified_gmt":"2024-09-16T16:22:38","slug":"how-to-winter-proof-patio-doors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expressdoorsdirect.co.uk\/blog\/how-to-winter-proof-patio-doors\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Winter-Proof Patio Doors: Insulation & Maintenance"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last updated on September 16th, 2024 at 04:22 pm<\/p>\n

Doors and windows represent the thermal weak-points of any property. And this is especially so in the case of patio doors<\/a>. Whether it\u2019s of the bi-fold<\/a>, French<\/a> or sliding<\/a> variety, a patio door presents the elements with plenty of cracks to slip through, and the warmth inside your home with plenty of glass through which to escape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But never fear: there are steps we might take to limit this. In doing so, we\u2019ll ensure that our interiors are kept as toasty-warm as possible and that those energy bills aren\u2019t allowed to spiral out of control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How Do I Insulate My Patio Doors?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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When considering how to insulate patio doors, we need to ensure not only that heat energy is prevented from moving from one side of the door to the other, but that moisture and wind can\u2019t rush through the cracks around the edges. In the case of a door, this is even more complicated, as it needs to be able to open and close.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Basics<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Draughts around the bottom of your door can typically be kept at bay using a draft excluder. These are long, cylindrical cushions which sit at the bottom of your door. They help to block any gaps around the bottom to minimize drafts. It’s a temporary solution but can be effective in helping to keep your home warm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Take a look at our detailed post on choosing the right draught excluder<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check the door track for small stones and other obstructions, and run a vacuum cleaner along the bottom of the track to pick up all of those stray dust particles. For best results, spray the track with WD40 and run the door back and forth a few times to ensure that the lubricant is properly distributed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have a sliding glass patio door or bi-fold door, then it might have been unseated from its rail, which will cause the gaps around the edges to grow. If necessary, re-seat the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Insulating French Doors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Outward-opening French doors<\/a> might also benefit from having their weather-stripping replaced. This is the compressible plastic that runs around the edge of the door. Over time, thousands of compressions will rob the material of its elasticity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This means that it won\u2019t expand to the same size, and thus it won\u2019t form a tight seal around the edge of the door. By replacing the sealing, you\u2019ll hugely improve the door\u2019s draught-excluding abilities \u2013 sealing of this sort can often be bought cheaply, and it\u2019ll snap into place rather than needing to be glued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Insulate Sliding Glass Doors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s think for a moment about how to winter-proof a sliding glass door. Sliding doors can\u2019t use compressible seals, as they need to be able to move back and forth. Instead, brush-style seals are preferred. These, too, might benefit from an occasional replacement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check the exterior caulk and replace if necessary. Your sliding door might need the sealant replacing for effective insulation. Check around the door frame for any damaged caulk or gaps that might let the cool air through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bifold Door Insulation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Replacing or installing weather stripping can help to insulate bifold doors<\/a>. This helps to minimise air leaks and reduce heat transfer. Just like sliding doors, new weather stripping can make a big difference if it has aged or deteriorated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Repair & Replacement<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Double-glazed glass tends to be less thermally conductive than the frame into which it\u2019s built. As such, doors which incorporate lots of it tend to be more thermally efficient than you might expect. If it\u2019s triple-glazed glass, then this is especially so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With that said, double-glazing does have a lifespan. If you can see condensation forming between the panels, it means that the seal has failed and that all of the inert, insulating gas has rushed out. That being the case, you might need to replace the glass insert \u2013 or, better yet, the entire door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Modern glass doors are much more energy-efficient than their older counterparts. This is down to improvements in the manufacturing process that helps to create products that minimise heat loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Should I Dress the Doors? Curtains & Blinds<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another way to improve energy efficiency is to install heavy or insulated curtains (or roman blinds) onto the interior of the door. You might alternatively attach a blackout lining to the rear of a set of existing curtains. Lightweight curtains and blinds might be able to control the light levels, but they\u2019ll do little to prevent hot air from moving from one part of the room to the other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Thermal curtains will prevent the warm air in the room from mixing with the cold air around the window, and thereby slow the transfer of heat from the interior of the building to the outside. This can only happen, however, if the curtains in question are drawn; make sure you do this when you aren\u2019t in the room, and when it gets dark outside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other budget-friendly tips and tricks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n