Ideas for Sliding Glass Doors: New Looks for 2023

Sliding glass doors have the power to transform your indoor living spaces with light and flow, uplift your rooms, and bring the outside in. If you’re not currently getting the best out of your doors, some small adjustments could make all the difference.

Whether you want to know how to make your sliding glass doors look better with curtains, shades or other window treatments, or you want practical advice about how to boost the functionality and performance of your doors, we’re here to offer some ideas for sliding glass doors from the experts at Doors Plus.

We will cover some of the most popular and effective window covering ideas for sliding glass doors, as well as weather-stripping and maintenance tips. If you think you may need new sliding glass doors, we can help with that too!

1. Make Your Door More Adaptable with Light-Blocking Curtains

One of the appeals of sliding glass doors is that they let in plenty of light and make your living areas feel bright and airy, but this can also become a drawback. Rooms that get a lot of intense sunlight throughout the day can begin to feel hot and stuffy, and direct sunlight can also cause some furnishings to fade.

Light-blocking curtains are an effective solution for controlling the amount of light entering a room, giving you greater flexibility and privacy, and making your sliding doors work for you. There are several different curtain ideas for sliding glass doors so you can choose the right solution for your home – some curtains are designed to block out all light when closed, while others are semi-sheer and allow some light to filter through.

The benefits of light-blocking curtains include:

• Keeping a room cool in the summer by blocking the sun’s rays.
• Providing privacy, especially when the room is near a busy street or neighbour’s window.
• Adding a decorative touch to your sliding doors, with various styles and colours to choose from.

Be sure to choose curtains that won’t interfere with the functionality of the doors – for example, use tiebacks to keep them out of the way when open. You can also make your doors more adaptable by exploring a wide range of other window treatment ideas for sliding glass doors, including roller shades and sliding shutters to balance design aesthetic with functionality.

2. Improve Insulation with New Framework

Many homeowners choose to replace windows or solid doors with sliding glass doors, for greater flexibility and flow between inside and outside spaces. The downside is that this can have an impact on heat loss if your doors are not properly insulated. This can make your home feel cool and draughty, and also result in higher energy bills.

If this is an issue for you, a relatively simple way to improve the insulation of your sliding glass doors is to install new weather-stripping or replace the framework altogether.

Weather-stripping comes in various materials, including foam, rubber, and vinyl. When choosing weather-stripping, consider the size of the gaps and cracks around the door and your local climate. Otherwise, you can install new framework in wood (a natural insulator) or aluminium (especially suited to extreme climates). The new frame should be airtight, with no gaps or cracks that can allow air in or out of the room. Find out more about how to frame a sliding glass door.

3. Catch More Natural Light with a Newly-Sized Door

If your current sliding glass door isn’t quite up to the task and your living space doesn’t get enough light, consider installing a larger door or double set of sliding doors. It’s no surprise that adding a larger area of glass will maximise the amount of natural light flowing into your room and can make the space feel bigger, brighter and more spacious.

For rooms that don’t tend to get a lot of natural light, a larger set of sliding glass doors can be an excellent solution. If concerns about privacy are holding you back, and especially if your doorway is overlooked, you can consider a sliding door with opaque or frosted glass panels to get the best of both worlds. This is also an effective solution if you want privacy between living areas.

At Doors Plus, we have a wide range of sliding glass door options to suit the style of your home and accommodate your practical requirements. You can choose timber or aluminium frames, with various finish options. These doors are made to measure, and multiple panels can be combined for a wall-to-wall opening.

4. Remove Frustration by Completing Overdue Repairs/Maintenance

One of the joys of a sliding glass door is that it gives you flexibility and convenience. It should slide smoothly to open or close, so that you can seamlessly flow between living spaces and invite the outside in when it suits you.

However, if your doors are not functioning properly, this can become a major frustration. If they are difficult to open or close, or come off their track, they are not only a pain to use but can also become draughty and pose a security risk. The good news is that some fairly simple maintenance and repairs can help to prevent and alleviate these issues, and keep your doors functioning effectively.

You should regularly inspect the door and track for any damage or debris, and clean as necessary. Lubricate the track and hinges to ensure smooth movement, and tighten any loose screws or bolts. If you need to take your doors off to fully clear and lubricate the track, you can follow our instructions for how to take sliding doors off and how to get a sliding door back on track.

If the damage is beyond repair, it may be time to replace your sliding glass door altogether and reap the full benefits of this timeless and practical door style.

Do You Need Better Sliding Doors?

If you think your sliding glass door needs a boost in terms of functionality or aesthetic appeal, there are several simple improvements you can make to your existing setup. Whether it’s window coverings ideas for sliding glass doors, or fixing practical issues with the framework or doors themselves, you may find that you can give them a new lease of life.

It may be that you need to go a step further and replace your tired old sliding glass doors with something new, fresh and fully functional to really get the benefits – from visual appeal and light flow to practical convenience and insulation. At your nearest Doors Plus showroom, our friendly door experts would be happy to talk you through the sliding glass door options in our extensive range, as well as giving you more information about how much sliding doors cost.

We can give you ideas for replacing sliding glass doors and help you find the right solution to transform your home.