Sliding window or door hard to open? Causes and fixes
The short answer
The usual causes are sand and grit in the bottom track and worn rollers. Vacuum and wipe the track first. If the door is still heavy, scrapes, or jumps off the track, the rollers need replacing, which is a quick repair and far cheaper than a new door.
What you can check yourself
- Vacuum sand out of the bottom track and drainage slots
- Wipe the track with a damp cloth; don't use oil, it traps dust
- Check if the lock is catching before the door fully closes
Signs you need a technician
- Grinding or scraping noise when sliding
- The panel drops or jumps off the track
- Gaps at the top or side letting in dust and heat
- The lock no longer lines up
Send a short video of the door sliding and a photo of the roller on WhatsApp. We can usually identify the part and give you a price before we visit, for any brand of aluminium system.