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5 Reasons Your Sliding Glass Door is Hard to Open and How to Fix It
Get a clear answer so you can face it head-on
Photo: Jena Ardell / Getty Images
Photo: Jena Ardell / Getty Images
Highlights
Sliding glass doors may be hard to open because of dirty tracks.
Other causes include damaged rollers and warped door frames.
Prevent problems by regularly cleaning and maintaining the tracks.
Contact your local door repair specialist if you have a warped frame.
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1. Dirty Tracks
As the barrier between indoor and outdoor spaces, it’s easy for your door’s tracks to get clogged with dirt and debris if not cleaned regularly. Buildup can block the rollers that allow your sliding glass door to open and close easily.
How to Fix It
Clean your tracks regularly with a vacuum or a tool that allows you to remove buildup in tight corners and crevices. You can also use a brush and wet paper towels to remove dirt and debris from your door tracks.
2. Damaged Rollers
Photo: Toa55 / iStock / Getty Images
If your door seems to drag when you’re trying to open it, you could have bent or damaged rollers that are causing the door to get stuck in motion. This can happen if the rollers are exposed to moisture or dirt or if the rollers are old and worn out.
How to Fix It
Clean the rollers, and if the manufacturer allows, apply an approved lubricant to reduce friction. If your door still doesn’t open easily, you may need to replace the rollers.
3. Misalignment
There’s a chance either your door or its frame is misaligned, which can make it very hard to open and close since it causes scraping as you try to move it. This can be the fault of rollers that are out of position or an uneven frame due to shifting in your home’s foundation.
How to Fix It
Check your rollers’ alignment screws and adjust them so the door sits properly on the tracks. If the issue is more extreme, such as a damaged frame, you’ll need to call a door repair specialist. The cost to repair a sliding glass door can be as little as $25 to as high as $4,000 if you have to replace the entire door.
4. Damaged Tracks
Dents, cracks, and warping can cause your door to stick. Unless you’re well-versed in repair techniques and know how to straighten a warped track, you may need a professional to replace your tracks to get your sliding glass door back in working order.
How to Fix It
For minor dents and dings, use pliers to straighten out bent metal. You can also sand down rough areas with sandpaper to smooth out the tracks. Epoxy putty and metal filler can also be used to level out damaged sections.
5. Warped Door Frame
Over time, your home can settle and cause your door frame to become warped. This is especially true if you have an older home or live in a climate with extreme temperature fluctuations. If your door’s frame is warped, it’ll make it harder for the door to open and close correctly.
How to Fix It
Contact a door installation expert to inspect your door and determine if it’s warped and what action is best to take to correct it. You may also want to reach out to a foundation expert to see if settling is at the root of your warping issues.
When to Call a Pro
You should contact your local door repair specialist if the issue making your sliding glass door hard to open requires a part to be replaced or repaired. A professional is also necessary if you’re dealing with a warped frame or other alignment problems that may force you to replace the door altogether.
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