Sliding door repair · Northern Virginia
Sliding Glass Door Repair
Many sliding glass doors can be repaired. A door that drags, jumps the track, won't lock or has fogged glass needs an assessment of its rollers, track, lock and glass. Our technicians identify the affected part and explain whether the existing door can be kept.
- Glass, rollers, locks and handles
- Your existing frame
- Free, itemized estimate
What needs attention
A door that drags, sticks or jumps the track
A sliding door that suddenly takes two hands to open usually has worn rollers.
Our technicians inspect the rollers, track and alignment, identify compatible parts and explain the repair.
Keep your door
Fogged, cloudy or broken sliding door glass
Sliding doors use the same insulated glass as your windows: two panes with a sealed space between them. When the seal between the panes fails, moist air gets in. The glass turns foggy, cloudy or streaky, and you can't wipe it clean from either side. A failed seal also makes the glass less insulating.
The fix is a new insulated glass unit (IGU) in your existing door panel. We measure the glass, order a new unit manufactured to the exact size, and install it in the panel you already have. Grids between the panes are matched to your door, and Low-E is matched to your other windows so the new glass doesn't look different from outside.
For broken glass, our technicians confirm the replacement specification for the door and applicable safety-glazing requirements. If the glass shatters, keep people and pets away, leave pieces in the frame undisturbed, and call us. Our technicians assess and remove the damaged glass.
For more on foggy glass, see fogged window glass replacement.
How it works
How a sliding door repair works
We measure and inspect.
Our technician checks the glass, rollers, track, lock and handle, and measures any glass that needs replacing.Your glass is manufactured to the exact size.
New insulated glass is ordered for your panel with the appropriate safety-glazing specification, grids matched to your door and Low-E matched to your other windows.We install and adjust.
We install the glass, rollers or lock, set the door height and check that it slides and latches.We clean up.
We remove the old parts and glass and leave the work area tidy.
For help matching the symptom to the part, read our sliding door repair guide.
Repair or replace
Repair or replace your sliding door?
Repair it when the frame is straight and dry and the problem is the glass, rollers, lock or handle.
Replace it when the frame is bent or rotted, water gets under the sill, or you want a different style.
Glass doors
Sliding and French door glass, grids, and new patio doors.
Fogged window glass replacement
New insulated glass in your existing window frame.
Broken window glass
Cracked and shattered glass replaced in double-pane and single-pane windows.
Screen door repair
Rescreening and custom replacement patio screen doors.
Window repair
Balances, tilt latches, locks and cranks.
Our work
Sliding patio door projects
Your options
Sliding door track repair
The track is the rail the rollers ride on. A dented or worn track can make the door bump or catch at the same spot. We assess whether a track cover or replacement of the damaged track will provide a sound running surface.
As routine homeowner maintenance, keep accessible tracks clear using your door manufacturer's cleaning guidance. Track cleaning is not a service we offer.
Your options
Sliding door locks and handles
A sliding door that won't lock is usually out of line. As the rollers wear down, the panel sinks, and the latch no longer meets the keeper on the frame. New rollers and a height adjustment often fix the lock on their own.
When the lock itself is worn or broken, we replace the lock mechanism, the keeper or the handle set. We match the handle finish to your door when we can.
Your options
Replacement sliding screen doors
Our local manufacturing partner makes new screens to the measurements we provide. We measure the openings, confirm the frame and mesh, then fit the finished screens. New sliding screen doors are custom made to suit the patio opening. If the frame is sound and only the mesh is torn, we can rescreen it. See screen door rescreening and replacement.
Your options
Parts, pricing and replacement options
Roller repair often costs a few hundred dollars including parts and labor, and is typically thousands of dollars less than a new door. The exact price depends on the door and the parts needed. Glass replacement is a separate repair: panel size, grids and Low-E affect its price. Your free estimate is itemized.
Parts for older doors can usually be sourced, subject to compatibility and availability. If a complete replacement is the better option, we offer MP Doors as an economical replacement slider. See patio door replacement.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Can sliding glass doors be repaired?
Many can. We assess the rollers, track, locks and glass and check that the existing frame can support the repair. A bent, rotted or leaking frame can call for replacement.
Why is my sliding glass door so hard to open?
Worn rollers are the most common reason. When the wheels flatten or seize, the door drops onto the track and drags. Dirt in the track makes it worse. New rollers and a clean track bring back a smooth slide.
How do you fix a sliding door that keeps coming off the track?
We inspect the rollers, track and panel alignment. Compatible rollers, adjustment, a track cover or replacement of a damaged track may be needed; the inspection establishes the repair.
How long do sliding glass door rollers last?
Rollers wear with use, dirt and the weight of the door, so a heavily used door wears them out sooner. When the door gets harder to push or starts to scrape, the rollers are due. Keeping the track clean helps them last.
Can you replace just the glass in a sliding patio door?
Yes. We replace the insulated glass in your existing panel and keep the frame and hardware. We confirm the appropriate safety glazing for the door and order it to the measured size of the panel.
Why is there fog between my sliding door panes?
The seal between the panes has failed and moist air has gotten inside the insulated glass. It can't be cleaned out, so the glass unit is replaced. The door itself stays.
Why won't my sliding door lock anymore?
The door has usually dropped as the rollers wore, so the latch no longer lines up with the keeper. New rollers and a height adjustment often fix it. If the lock is broken, we replace it.
What should I do if my sliding glass door shatters?
Keep people and pets away and leave damaged glass in the frame undisturbed. Broken glass can cause injury, including small pieces. Call us so our technicians can assess the door, remove the damaged glass and confirm the replacement specification.
How much does sliding glass door repair cost?
Roller repair often costs a few hundred dollars including parts and labor, and is typically thousands of dollars less than a new door. The exact price depends on the door and the parts needed. Glass replacement is a separate repair: panel size, grids and Low-E affect its price. Your free estimate is itemized.
Explore your options
Related services
Sliding door repair from American Screen & Glass
American Screen & Glass has repaired sliding glass doors throughout Northern Virginia since 1993. We serve all of Northern Virginia, including Fairfax County, Loudoun County, Arlington County, Alexandria and parts of Prince William County.
Repair first. No pressure. Send us a photo or call 703-471-4500 for a free, itemized estimate.