Best Lubricants for Sliding Glass Doors and Windows

Only a few things are more annoying than a door making noise and getting stuck all the time. By lubricating your sliding doors from time to time you ensure they open and close easily, safely and smoothly. To help you out, I have assembled a list of the best lubricants for sliding glass doors and windows. But, before I get into that, let’s see what actually causes them to start working incorrectly.

What to Look for When Shopping for Door Lubricants

Can Withstand Extreme Temperatures

Because sliding glass doors are most commonly installed to connect the inside of your house to the outside, a lubricant should be able to roll with the punches. Some products can withstand up to 350° Fahrenheit, making them great for those who live in warmer states. Contrastingly, if you live in a cold climate, you want to make sure the product doesn’t freeze off as soon as you apply it.

Silicone-Based

Oil lubricants are often thicker than other products, and dirt and dust will stick to them more quickly. On the other hand, silicone-based lubricants are long-lasting and you won’t have to keep reapplying them all the time. Since I want to include only the very best lubricants for doors and windows, I will only list silicone-based products.

Non-toxic

Some substances that these lubricants contain can be harmful to you, your children, and pets. Even though these harmful chemicals sometimes give the product a longer lifespan, you have to use them with caution. However, this isn’t a deal-breaker, because products that have a quick drying time will also evaporate more quickly — making them safe to use.

Serves More Than One Purpose

More often than not, you won’t need to use a full can of a lubricant to fix your problem, and when there’s some still left — you need to find a purpose for it. Sure, if you have dozens of sliding doors and windows in your home, you can empty a can in no time. However, if you don’t want to be wasteful, buy a product that works well on several different types of materials.

List of the Best Lubricants for Sliding Glass Doors and Windows

Because poor lubrication is the most common reason for noisy windows and doors, buying the right product is crucial. Rollers need to be lubricated in order to keep them running smoothly all the time. Also, if you apply silicone spray to the track, it will help them function properly and won’t attract any dirt. Now, I am going to list the best lubricants and sort them by weight, starting from lightest.

3M Silicone Spray (Dry Type) Lubricant —  5.6oz

3M offers a high-quality silicone lubricant that can work on a number of different surfaces. The product isn’t specifically made for sliding glass doors, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Because of this property, you will be able to use it on other types of doors, such as wooden or PVC, and on windows as well. Also, because it’s so versatile and works in different environments, it has found great use in the automotive industry.

3M’s formula will stay intact from -28 to 350° Fahrenheit. So, as far as heat is concerned — it’s one of the most durable ones. The silicone lubricant will help you get rid of the squeaky sounds your door makes, as well as prevent it from sticking and retaining moisture. A great feature of the formula is that it doesn’t contain any petroleum oils that can stain your door and everything around it. Moreover, it can also protect your sliding doors and windows from corrosion and rust.

Even though the formula can withstand extreme temperatures, it’s preferable to use it on materials at room temperature. Low temperatures can decrease the pressure in the can, and high temperatures can increase it significantly. It’s best to apply it evenly on the tracks of your door and let it sit for a few minutes.

Another great feature is that it comes with an extension tube, which can reach most spots on the door and window tracks. Many products will have you twisting and turning to get the right angle, but 3M makes that much easier.

Features:

• Can withstand extreme temperatures
• Includes an extension tube
• Multi-purpose
• Protects against corrosion and rust

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Sliding Door Lubricant By Why The Frog — 8.6oz

Why The Frog’s lubricant allows you to get your doors to work properly with just a few sprays. It’s specially made for sliding glass doors of all shapes and sizes. Moreover, it can withstand temperatures from -35 to 180° Fahrenheit, and protect your door all year round. It also contains rust inhibitors to preserve the appearance of your sliding door, and add years to its life.

Its mineral base means that it’s not toxic and safe to use around pets and children, and you don’t have to wear gloves while using it. Moreover, it doesn’t contain any volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and is good for the environment. One of my favorite features is that it’s unscented and nearly odorless, so the fumes won’t give you a headache.

It features a silicone-based formula that will help you keep your glass sliding doors running smoothly for a long time. The dry lube product also works well on plastic on won’t stick to it or damage it. The application is fairly straightforward, all you have to do is spray it on each wheel and track to lubricate them. After applying it, make sure to slide the door back and forth a couple of times to spread the lubricant properly.

Features:

• Anti-rust
• Can withstand extreme temperatures
• Environmentally friendly
• Non-toxic
• Unscented

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3-IN-ONE Professional Garage Door Lubricant — 11oz

This product is regarded as one of the best lubricants for sliding glass doors by many people, so I decided to put it to the test. Although it’s marketed for garage doors, I tried it out on regular patio glass doors, and windows — and it worked like a charm. The smart straw system includes 2 sprays so you can apply as little pressure as you want to. It also makes it extremely easy to get into the nooks and crannies of any sliding door.

Because it has a silicone base, the spray will dry quickly and won’t attract any dust or dirt. One difference I noticed (and appreciate very much), is that it leaves no residue and almost no odor behind. It’s perfect for both residential and commercial windows, and won’t deteriorate even if your home has a lot of foot traffic. The formula also contains ingredients that help prevent corrosion and damage from external elements.

If you’re having issues with an obnoxiously loud garage door,  3-IN-ONE’s lubricant might be the easy fix. Try spraying all of the hinges, chains, and wheels and let them dry off for a couple of minutes to prevent your doors from getting stuck and being noisy.

Aside from glass, you can safely use it on different types of material, such as wood, metal, and plastic.

The only thing to keep in mind is that it does contain some toxic materials, so you should take some precautions when using it. Don’t let your pets or children get in contact with it before it’s had enough time to evaporate.

Features:

• Smart straw system
• Quick dry
• Multi-purpose
• Protects against corrosion and rust

>>> Check the Price on Amazon <<<

Other Causes of Sticky and Noisy Sliding Doors and How to Fix Them

Bad Alignment

Sliding doors and windows move via a track that allows them to open and close. However, if these tracks get loose your door could easily come off. If they start moving in a direction that isn’t straight from right to left, there are probably some alignment issues.

What to do with bad alignment:

• Lift the door up
• Place it back

You can lift the door up and gently place it on the center of the track to get it to run smoothly again. If you want to prevent your doors from having alignment issues, make sure to open and close them gently. By slamming your sliding doors you could cause them to go off the tracks and break.

Dirty Tracks

Because your door probably has a lot of traffic, it’s easy for it to get dirty over time. If the tracks aren’t clean, they will cause your sliding doors to malfunction by sticking dirt to them. However, this is one of the most common reasons for sticky doors, and the fix is quick and easy.

What to do with dirty tracks:

1. Vacuum the track
2. Clean the track with a vet towel
3. Apply a lubricant

Clean the tracks thoroughly to get rid of the dust and dirt so your door can go back to working properly straight away. If you want to prevent this from happening over and over, clean your doors at least once a month. You can include vacuuming and wiping the tracks as a part of your cleaning routine.

Damaged Rollers

Sliding glass doors use rollers to move along the track. However, they can easily get dirty, damaged or broken and cause your door to malfunction. If the rollers are dirty, you can try removing the door from the tracks, cleaning the rollers and spraying them with a lubricant.

What to do with damaged rollers:

1. Remove the rollers
2. Clean them
3. Apply a lubricant

You could also try readjusting them if you notice their alignment is wrong and they’re coming off the tracks. If the problem persists, the rollers are likely broken or too damaged, and you will have to replace them.

Broken Doors and Windows

Sometimes, despite your best efforts at trying to fix something, you have to acknowledge that it’s time to say goodbye. After all, doors and windows go through a lot of wear and tear, and sometimes there’s no fixing them. If you still can’t open and close them properly after inspecting the alignment, track, and rollers — consider purchasing a new one.

Lubricate Your Doors and Windows Regularly

Windows and glass doors can fill your home with natural light and allow you to have a beautiful view of the outside from inside your living room. Moreover, they add to the visual appearance of your home, help you get fresh air, and allow you to move easier from inside to the outside of your home. Because they are so integral to the design and function of your home, you have to make sure they are always functioning properly and safely.

Lubricating your doors and windows regularly will ensure you can use it for years to come and won’t have to listen to it squeak all the time. I hope my list of the best lubricants helps you make the best decision.