Preparing sliding doors for winter: practical maintenance tips
When autumn turns into winter, sliding doors often face tough conditions. Cold, moisture, and dirt put extra strain on the fittings, rubbers, and locks. With a few simple maintenance steps, you can prevent stiff doors, drafts, and wear. In this blog, you will read step by step how to prepare your sliding door for winter and which products are best to use.
1. Clean rails and maintain rollers
A good start to maintaining sliding doors is a thorough cleaning. Dirt and sand accumulate in the underrail and can cause damage to the rollers.
✅ First remove leaves, sand, and dust with a vacuum cleaner or soft brush
✅ Clean the rails with a specially developed Underrail Cleaner
✅ Make sure the rail is completely dry before proceeding
This prevents the sliding door from sticking and extends the lifespan of the rollers.
2. Lubricating the sliding door: mechanisms and locks
During winter, cold can cause grease to thicken and locks to work less smoothly. Therefore, it is wise to regularly lubricate your sliding door.
✅ Use a lock and fitting oil that does not thicken at low temperatures
✅ Apply a small amount to the strike plates and moving parts of the lift lock
✅ Move the lock open and closed several times so the oil distributes well
Lubricating the sliding door and the lock prevents sticking and ensures the door moves smoothly.
3. Caring for sliding door rubbers with rubber wax
The rubbers around the sliding door ensure a good seal against drafts and moisture. In winter, however, these rubbers often become hard or porous. Proper sliding door rubber care is therefore essential.
✅ Clean the rubbers with a soft cloth and lukewarm water
✅ Apply a thin layer of RubberCare spray
✅ Keep the rubbers flexible, prevent drying out and cracks, and significantly extend their lifespan
4. Check the adjustment of the sliding door
Over time, a sliding door can sag slightly. In winter, you notice this faster because the door becomes stiff to operate.
✅ Check if the door slides smoothly and seals properly
✅ Make small adjustments yourself with an Allen key on the rollers
✅ Call in a specialist for major problems
5. Annual sliding door maintenance
By performing this maintenance once a year, preferably in autumn, you extend the lifespan of your sliding door. Regular sliding door maintenance prevents unexpected problems during winter and ensures lasting living comfort.
Conclusion
Preparing a sliding door for winter doesn't have to be complicated. With cleaning the rails, lubricating the sliding door, and protecting the rubbers, you are already well on your way. The result: a smoothly sliding door, a good seal against cold and wind, and above all, years of living comfort.
Do you want to use the right products? In our webshop you will find rail cleaners, lock oils, and rubber wax specially developed for sliding doors. This way, you are well prepared for winter.