Many households install glass doors to quickly access open spaces like gardens or patios. However, this construction is susceptible to vibration and can shatter.
Why did my patio door shatter? What to do when my glass patio door is broken? If you wonder about these questions, you have come to the right place.
In this post, I will explain some reasons that caused your patio door to shatter.
Then, you can learn to fix it properly and prevent the same problem from happening in the future. Now let’s jump straight in!
Table of Contents
Why Did My Patio Door Shatter?
Spontaneous shatter happens when there are dramatic changes in the surrounding temperature. Also, burglars breaking in is the most likely reason.
Most patio door models have large glass panes, which are very prone to simultaneous breakage when exposed to the proper conditions.
This problem is more common than many people think. In addition, there are other causes for this situation.
Here are two likely reasons that cause your patio door to shatter.
Spontaneous Breakage
When the temperature fluctuation gets too extreme, the glass will lose its structure and break into pieces.
It starts with a few minor cracks at first, then the complete breakage. It’s also the poor temperature resistance capability and low-quality of glass panes.
For instance, it may be winter, and the temperature drops below zero on the outside. The inner atmosphere in the house is hot due to the conductor’s heat.
As a result, one side of the large glass pane gets cold while the other is warm.
This problem is common in low-quality glass materials, which are susceptible to rapid changes in temperatures or excessive thermal variations.
The changes around 60°F or higher are sufficient to break its structure. It will lead to stress fractures on the glass panes and eventually shatter. It also depends on the thickness of your patio door glass pane.
Thin panes are even more susceptible, typically crashing at 302°F to 392°F. If it’s the cold winter, and you regularly put on the thermal conductor inside the house, this is very likely the culprit.
For these reasons, you should not keep the thermal conductor on too high when it’s freezing outside. You can also cover your patio door to avoid this extreme thermal variation.
Burglars
I don’t want to point it out since it’s too apparent, but burglary is another likely cause that makes your patio door break. Most homeowners don’t build covers or shelter construction for their patio doors.
As a result, this part becomes a weak spot in the house since glass is much easier to break than walls. The thieves can easily smash the glass panes by knocking a hammer into its side or corner.
Even if the glass pane is thick and firm, repetitive knocks into its corners and weak spots will cause the whole structure to shatter. Burglary is common on regular patio doors.
Meanwhile, the double-glazed patio doors deliver higher durability and security since they are nearly impossible to break using physical force.
So, if you go on a vacation or leave the house, burglary is a very likely cause.
What Should You Do If The Glass Patio Door Shatters?
You should be careful when dealing with a shattered glass patio door.
Ensure that the pets and children stay away from the area since the broken glass pieces on the ground and frame are very dangerous.
If you use a double-paned sliding glass, check both panes for damage. If the two pieces are completely broken, carefully use a thick cloth or protective glove and remove the remaining pieces stuck to the door frame.
Then, use a temporary cloth to cover the door, preventing insects, rain, moisture, and cold temperature from getting in.
If only one pane is broken, remember to reduce the conductor’s heat to protect it from thermal changes.
You should wear thick and protective shoes when cleaning the shattered pieces.
You can also get a professional sliding glass door repair service to carry out the task safely and neatly.
How To Protect Your Patio Door From Thermal Breakage?
To protect your patio door from thermal breakage, you have to be aware of the typical conditions leading to this problem.
Your patio glass door is more vulnerable than ever when:
- On a sunny but freezing winter day, the temperature inside the house is the opposite.
- One part of the glass door is sheltered by a building tree, while the remaining area is exposed to high heat, causing unbalanced heat distribution.
- When you put a blind or sign inside the glass door, it will increase the risk of thermal press and shattering the pane.
- Your glass doesn’t evacuate the heat efficiently, especially the low-E, tinted, or reflective glass. Tempered glass panes are more resistant to thermal variations and stress, but shattering can still happen.
Don’t forget to pay attention to the type of glass you use for the patio door.
Different glass categories possess different thermal tolerances. While most patio doors are made of tempered glass, the lower-resistance types are applicable.
For example, the thin float glass or heat-strengthened glass panes are more vulnerable to thermal variations and high heat.
The risk of shattering and thermal stress also increases when you apply reflective coatings or Low-E coatings on the glass panes.
To prevent all these problems, you should get professionals to conduct a thermal assessment.
If the glass is already broken, ensure to choose high-quality and heat-resistant tempered glass panes for your patio door.
5 Methods To Protect Your Patio Glass Door
Burglary is a dangerous threat that no homeowner wants to face. Here are some effective and simple methods to increase the security of your patio glass door.
Add Alarm Sensor
You can install an alarm sensor system that ties in with the window and glass patio door frame.
If someone applies strong physical forces on the door surface, the sensor will ring and notify the owner.
Some models can also detect the sound of glass breaking, which is very efficient in dealing with spontaneous breakage.
Add Window Film
Glass is easy to smash, especially when you hit it in the corner or on weak sides.
A window film can increase the glass’ durability and add more protection to your patio door.
Add Rods In The Tracks
Some sliding glass doors have a rod on the track that makes them accessible only from the inside.
If your patio door doesn’t have this feature, install a metal rod so that intruders cannot break in.
Install A Deadbolt Lock
The sliding glass door locks are not secure since intruders can easily break them.
You should use a deadbolt lock that makes the door harder to access from the outside.
Install A Security Camera
Security camera systems have gotten much more affordable than in the past. They help you keep track of every corner of the house and record burglaries.
In addition, the presence of a security camera will make the thieves get cold feet, thus reducing the risk of your house getting intruded on.
This video shows you how to protect the glass patio door better and increase your house’s security.
FAQs
If you are dealing with a shattered patio glass door, this additional information will greatly help.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace The Glass In A Patio Door?
Replacing new glass panes on the patio door will cost around $150 to $600, depending on the door’s size and glass quality.
It’s only the cost for a front door, and you have to pay more to replace more than one glass pane.
A patio door can cost up to $1000 if you use high-quality tempered glass, which doesn’t exclude the labor cost.
Can You Replace The Glass In A Sliding Patio Door?
Replacing the glass in a sliding patio door is not easy, which requires skills, patience, and adequate construction knowledge.
Therefore, you should leave the task to professional patio door repairs.
They will also give you helpful advice on protecting and maintaining the sliding patio door better.
What Is The Labor Cost To Replace A Sliding Glass Door?
The average wages of a door installer range between $70 to $100 per hour.
Normally, replacing a sliding glass door takes around an afternoon, which costs you from $350 to $700 in total.
Final Thoughts
Why did my patio door shatter? In summary, it may be the rapid changes in temperatures or excessive thermal variations that cause your tempered glass patio door to shatter. Burglary is another potential cause, but it’s less likely.
To avoid these threats in the future, you should install protective equipment and replace the shattered glass panes with higher-quality ones.
I hope that the explanations provided can satisfy you. Thank you for reading!