Sliding Doors vs Garden Doors: Guide for House Sitters

If you are a house sitter and not a homeowner, you may not understand the workings of the various sliding doors or garden doors you come across. Read on to learn our guide for house sitters on the differences between a garden door and a sliding door in a home.

Sliding vs Garden Doors: A Guide for House Sitters

Photo by Mido Makasardi

Good house sitters are the ones who take proper care of the house, its security, and maintenance while the owner of the house is away. In addition to their primary responsibility of keeping the property secure, they must also look after the plants in the house. Finally, a good house sitter should adhere to the instructions given by the homeowners.

Sliding and garden doors are two common types of doors present in houses, and knowing how to maintain them is critical for the longevity of these doors. However, before you learn more about sliding vs garden doors, you must know the characteristic features of these doors.

Definitions

What Are Sliding Doors?

Sliding doors, as the name suggests, consist of two glass panels that slide across each other on a horizontal track. These glass pieces move on rollers, and the movements happen on narrow tracks on which these glass pieces are fitted.

What Are Garden Doors?

Garden doors swing on hinges, and they can open either inward or outward. They may have a single panel or two panels.

Maintenance

Keeping the house clean and making sure the fixtures and furnishings are in good working order are the main responsibilities of a house sitter. Here are some maintenance advice for sliding or garden doors, which are essential to know as a house sitter.

Maintaining Sliding Doors

sliding doors from kitchen to garden — Sliding doors are often used from a kitchen to the back yard or garden

Photo by Curtis Adams

Dust and dirt frequently build up on the tracks or rails that the glass slides on, making it difficult for the sliding panels to move smoothly. The house sitter must hence clean and clear the dirt and debris on a regular basis. It can be kept clean with just a brush and routine vacuum cleaning.
The rollers, which help it to move smoothly, are subject to wear and tear. The house sitter must regularly check the status of rollers so that doors can be moved smoothly.
The glass panels require regular cleaning, particularly when the door is exposed to rain or dust.
The insulations, like the seals and weather stripping, often get degraded. Therefore, it must be regularly inspected and replaced when insulation gets poor.
The locks may get loosened and often require adjustments.

Maintaining Garden Doors

Hinges may get tightened or squeak and, thus, can require regular lubrication for smooth movement.
Just like sliding doors, the glasses of garden doors, though relatively smaller in size, need regular cleaning.
Their wooden frame requires regular cleaning and repainting as wood tends to get damaged due to weather conditions. In the case of aluminum or composite frames, they require less maintenance but regular cleaning.

Final Words on Sliding Doors vs Garden Doors

The sliding doors have an aesthetic and modern look and allow more light and exterior views. However, the garden doors provide a traditional look, and one can have them in different shapes and designs. From a security point of view, a garden door is more robust. However, the sliding doors provide more insulation and space. So, as a sitter, pay heed to the house-owners instructions and try to maintain sliding doors and garden doors as per their specific needs.