4 Pros And Cons Of Sliding Glass Doors

1. Pro: They Provide Light

For most homeowners, lots of natural light is important, and sliding glass doors offer a massive amount of natural light. They are basically a huge window. They can also help add natural heat during the colder months. You may want to consider doors with blind inside them, however, to keep the sun out on hotter days.

Special coatings can also be used to help block UV rays, which are invisible but damaging. These coatings don't affect how much visible light enters the home, which is nice since light can also make the room look bigger.

2. Pro: They Require Little Room

Sliding glass doors are common in smaller homes because they also don’t take up a lot of space. To open the door, you simply slide it to the side instead of swinging it outward, like French doors, which pivot. If the room is too small or there is a lot of furniture and clutter, it may actually be impossible to fully open French doors.

Even if you do have just enough room to open French doors, they may simply not be a good choice for smaller homes. They can make the room look smaller and cluttered when the doors are open. Because a sliding door requires no room, it won't add to the clutter.

3. Con: They Have Security Flaws

Sliding glass doors do come with security flaws. First, they allow people to see inside your home, and since they are usually in the backyard or out-of-site, criminals have lots of time to peek inside without being seen by neighbors. If a criminal decides they want inside, getting in may be as easy as jiggling or breaking the door.

Many basic sliding glass doors only have a simple lock, which can be unlocked by jiggling the door, but even if this doesn't work, the criminal may be able to dislodge the door. This can make a lot of noise, so it is usually the last resort, along with actually breaking the glass, but it can still be done and still poses a security risk.

4. Con: They Get Dirty Fast

A sliding glass door requires a lot of cleaning. First, you have to worry about keeping the glass clean, and if you have kids or pets, that may mean cleaning the glass every day to remove nose marks and fingerprints. The track on which the door travels can also get dirty, especially since it is frequently exposed to the outside.

When you do your regular cleaning, use a vacuum or spray cleaner and rag to remove any hair and debris from the track. Even with frequent cleaning, however, you may need to occasionally remove the door to fully remove debris. The track should also be lubricated with a silicone spray to keep it opening and closing smoothly.

Sliding glass doors are popular for many reasons. They are an affordable choice and provide lots of natural light and heat, which may save you money. They do have security flaws, but you can fight most of them with additional locks. If you hate cleaning windows though, a sliding glass door may not be the best choice for your home.

If you would like to know more about sliding glass doors, contact us at Wadsworth Glass Inc. today.