What are sliding door repairs?
Sliding door repair covers fixing the parts of an existing patio door that wear out or fail, so it opens smoothly, closes fully and locks securely again without replacing the whole door. The most common jobs are replacing worn rollers, refurbishing damaged tracks, replacing locks, gearboxes and handles, swapping misted sealed units for new safety glass, and adjusting a door that has dropped or drifted out of line.
Many problems start small. A door that gets harder to push, rumbles as it slides or jumps off the track usually has worn rollers or grit in a damaged track. A handle that turns but does not lock often points to a failed gearbox. Water between the panes means the seal on that unit has failed. Caught early, these are often single-visit repairs; left too long, a dragging panel can damage the track, the frame and the seals.
Repairs are not covered by our free survey, which applies to new and replacement doors only. Instead, send us clear photos and a short video of the problem and we quote from those, or we arrange a diagnostic visit where that is not enough, at £95 inc VAT, confirmed before we attend. If parts for an older door are no longer made, or the repair would cost more than it is worth, we tell you plainly.
Who are they for?
Best suited to
- Doors that stick, drag or jump the track
- Handles or locks that fail to engage
- Misted or cracked glass panels
- Panels that have dropped or let in draughts
Worth considering
- Parts for some older or discontinued doors are no longer made, which can limit what can be repaired.
- A repair fixes the failed part but does not improve the door's insulation or security standard beyond its original design.
- Repairs are quoted from photos or, where needed, a diagnostic visit at £95 inc VAT, rather than a free survey.
Why choose sliding door repairs?
- Replacing worn rollers is often enough to bring back the light, smooth action of a sliding panel that has become heavy and noisy to open.
- Repairing or refurbishing a damaged track removes the dips and burrs that make rollers jump, which stops a panel coming off its track.
- A new lock gearbox or cylinder restores secure locking when a handle turns but the bolts no longer engage, without replacing the whole door.
- Misted sealed units can usually be replaced individually with new safety glass units, restoring the view and the insulation of that panel.
- Adjusting a dropped or misaligned panel can cure draughts, rattles and a door that will not close fully against its seals.
- Quoting from photos and a short video means many repairs can be priced without a visit, saving time and the diagnostic visit charge for straightforward jobs.
- Where a repair is not worth doing, for example because parts are unavailable, we say so plainly rather than fitting parts that will not last.
- A well-maintained, repaired door can give years more service, making a repair a sensible first step when the frame and glass are otherwise sound.
Typical specification
| Common repairs | Rollers, tracks, locks and gearboxes, handles, misted units, adjustment |
|---|---|
| Door types | Aluminium, uPVC and timber sliding patio doors, subject to parts |
| How repairs are quoted | From photos and video, or after a diagnostic visit |
| Call-out | Any charge agreed with you before we attend |
| Free survey | Not included for repairs; applies to new and replacement doors only |
| Glass | Replacement sealed units in safety glass |
| Parts | Matched to your door where available; older parts may be discontinued |
Figures are typical and vary by system and size; your quote confirms the exact specification.
How much do sliding door repairs cost?
Repairs are priced from photos or a short video where possible; if a fault cannot be priced that way, a diagnostic visit costs £95 inc VAT, confirmed before we attend. Typical costs for common repairs, including the repair visit, are in the table on this page.
| Repair | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Roller replacement (per sliding panel) | £185–£325 |
| Lock or gearbox replacement | £165–£295 |
| Handle replacement | £95–£165 |
| Track repair or refurbishment | £195–£395 |
| Misted sealed unit replacement (per pane) | £225–£495 |
| Re-alignment, adjustment and service | £125–£195 |
Guide prices including VAT, parts and the visit to carry out the repair. If a fault cannot be priced from photos, a diagnostic visit costs {PR.token("diagnostic")} inc VAT, confirmed before we attend.
Options and extras
- Roller replacement. New rollers for each sliding panel, restoring a smooth, quiet action.
- Track repair or refurbishment. Repairing damaged track sections, or fitting a new track cover where the system allows.
- Lock and gearbox replacement. A new mechanism when the handle turns but the door will not lock.
- Handle replacement. Replacing broken or loose handles, including key-lockable versions.
- Misted unit replacement. A new sealed safety glass unit in place of one that has failed.
- Adjustment and service. Re-aligning panels, cleaning tracks and checking seals and drainage.
Booking and repair times
Booking: Most repairs are booked within a few weeks, parts permitting.
Repair: Most repairs are completed in a single visit, unless parts need ordering or a new glass unit must be made.
You approve the repair price before we book the visit. See how it works.
Rules and approvals
England
Like-for-like repairs such as new rollers, locks, handles or adjustment are not building work under the Building Regulations in England. If the whole door is replaced, it becomes a controlled fitting and the replacement rules apply.
Wales
Like-for-like repairs are not building work in Wales. Any replacement glass we fit in a door is safety glazing, and a full replacement door follows the Welsh Building Regulations.
Scotland
Repairs do not need a building warrant in Scotland. Any replacement glass we fit in a door is safety glazing.
Northern Ireland
Repairs do not normally involve building control in Northern Ireland. Any replacement glass we fit in a door is safety glass. Northern Ireland repairs are by arrangement.
Sliding door repairs: common questions
How do I know if my sliding door rollers need replacing?
Sliding door rollers usually need replacing when the panel becomes hard to push, rumbles or grinds as it moves, sits lower at one end or jumps off the track. Cleaning the track first is worth trying, because grit can cause similar symptoms. If the door is still heavy once the track is clean, the rollers are likely worn or broken.
Can a sliding door track be repaired?
A damaged sliding door track can often be repaired or refurbished, depending on the door and how badly the track is worn. On some systems a replacement track cover can be fitted over a worn track, and on others a damaged section can be repaired. If the track is part of a frame that is failing more widely, replacement may be the better option.
Why won't my sliding door lock?
A sliding door that will not lock usually has a failed lock gearbox, a worn or broken keep, or a panel that has dropped so the hooks no longer line up with the frame. Forcing the handle can make it worse. Photos of the handle, the lock edge and the frame where the hooks engage usually show which part has failed.
Can you replace misted glass in a sliding door?
Yes, a misted sealed unit in a sliding door can usually be replaced on its own without changing the frame. The new unit is made to the size of the old one in safety glass, as glass in doors must be, and fitted into the existing panel. It is worth checking whether the frame is still sound first.
Is there a free survey for sliding door repairs?
No, our free survey applies to new doors and replacements only. Repairs are quoted from photos and a short video you send us, or after a diagnostic visit where photos are not enough. If a visit is needed, the diagnostic visit costs £95 inc VAT and is confirmed before we attend, so you know where you stand.
What photos should I send for a repair quote?
Send a photo of the whole door from inside, close-ups of the handle, the lock edge and the bottom track, and any label or marking on the frame or glass spacer. A short video of the door opening and closing is especially helpful. Tell us roughly how old the door is and what it is doing wrong.
Is it worth repairing an old sliding patio door?
Repairing an old sliding patio door is worth it if the frame and glass are sound and the parts are available, because a few new rollers or a lock can restore it for a fraction of the cost of replacement. If the frame is failing, the door is single glazed or parts are discontinued, replacement usually makes more sense.
How can I stop my sliding door needing repairs?
Keeping the track clean is the most effective way to keep a sliding door running well, because grit wears rollers and damages the track surface. Vacuum the track regularly, wipe it with a damp cloth, keep drainage slots clear and avoid slamming panels into their stops. Our maintenance guide has a simple routine.