Sliding glass doors make great patio doors. They give you a lovely view of the outdoors, they allow you to keep an eye on your kids when they are in the yard, and they save a great deal of space compared to swinging doors. However, older sliding glass doors can pose a significant risk that you may not be aware of.
Compared to the current glass – tempered and laminated – that is used in sliding doors today, old sliding glass doors contained glass plates that are not as strong and, if broken, potentially deadly to kids, pets, and even adult occupants at home. It is very important to make sure that your sliding glass doors use tempered or laminated glass to eliminate or minimize such risk. This is very important to consider if you are living in, renting, or considering buying an older home. To ensure the glass is safe, look for the mark “tempered” or “safety glass.” Otherwise, ask a contractor or other home professional to help you look into the glass and possibly replace it.
