Patio Sliding Door

Over the years, woods are the most common choice for making doors. They are considered durable, simple to work with, and act as natural insulator. These are the exact reasons why I decided to go for wooden doors all throughout our home. In fact, most other homeowners prefer wood over any other materials because they do complement the exterior as well as the interior design of the house. With different patterns and styles of wood patio doors, they simply beautify and provide classiness to your home. Most lavish and decorative patio doors are made from solid woods.


Wooden patio doors are considered to be durable and last for many years if properly maintained. While some may say that woods are easily destroyed by termites, manufacturers treat their woods with specialized anti-termite solution making them termite-free. And although woods are very vulnerable to moisture, it is proper to have regular inspection of the door and apply some oil-based water repellent. Repairs and maintenance are not complicated and you can actually repaint and refinish the doors yourself.

Wood garden doors are considered affordable among other doors made from different materials because of their availability. Woods can be easily painted so that multiple color selections are available, or you can even ask a local manufacturer to provide you with a specific color. You can also paint your own patio door and save money from hiring a specialist.

Various designs can be carved onto the wood according to your taste and preference. Likewise, other materials can be added to wood patio doors such as glass panes, fiberglass, and metals. They are adjustable and can easily be reduced for correct fitting during installation.

Manufacturers say woods are the best natural insulators because they are poor conductors of heat and cold making them less prone to condensation. They act as heat shield during hot summer months as well as cold protector during winter. Additionally, woods are the most environmental-friendly door materials because no toxic chemicals are used to produce them and in case of disposal, wood can easily be discarded without imposing any danger to the environment.


Woods are not fire-resistant. They can easily burn when in contact with fire. However, many take this as an advantage especially during emergency situations. In case of house fire, rescuers have easy access through a wooden door by breaking them easily than a metal one that needs special equipment to break it.

Wood patio door prices vary from the kind of wood used in making them. Additional materials, such as metals and glasses (used in making garden doors) add to the cost of the door. Various manufacturers provide a range of price selections, so it is better to compare prices before buying one. You can do this by simply visiting your home improvement stores or by searching through the internet.

Sliding patio doors are becoming increasingly popular choices for modern houses today. Gone are the traditional looks of old aluminum sliding doors well known for their poor design and inapt roller mechanism – where oftentimes, doors would jump off tracks.

If you’re looking for the perfect accent piece for your patio, then exterior sliding doors may be “it” for you. Today, sliding door models are not only stylish and durable; they are also energy efficient and provide additional security for your homes.

Door Frames and Tracks

Normally, exterior sliding doors have one fixed pane and an adjustable panel. Rollers are attached either at the top and bottom frame or at the bottom only and can be adjusted so doors glide more easily to the left or to the right. Likewise, tracks can be installed for door support and to ensure doors stay aligned on the tracks. They may ether be made of plastic or metal.

Types of Sliding Patio Doors

The most popular sliding doors are made from vinyl, wood, metal, or glass.

Although aluminum sliders were in style years ago, wooden sliding doors have fast become one of the fashionable choices when it comes to gliding doors. As wood suggests warmth and peace, some sliding doors are made of wood on the inside and vinyl on the outside to ensure durability of your sliding doors.

Since wood is susceptible to humidity, you have to ensure that your wooden sliding doors are hard-wearing and have a durable finish. There are pre-painted all-wood sliders available in your local hardware stores, or you can even ask to have your doors custom-painted according to your taste. This option, however, can put a strain in your budget if you’re looking for inexpensive sliders.

A good substitute for wood are doors made from combined fiberglass materials. Aside from being a cheaper alternative, these faux wood materials do not warp or crack. Still, there are other sliders faced on both sides with aluminum or vinyl covering.

Some sliding doors are made from glass. Thus, even if you have limited space, this type of sliding patio doors adds dimension to an otherwise cramped area by providing a transparent view of the outside. In effect, what you are really seeing is a continuous space starting from the inside and extending to the patio area.

Dimensions, Options, and Spaces

Sliding glass doors are generally between seven feet and eight feet high, although it can also run up to 10 feet high with width between 16 and 40 feet for commercial sliding doors. These large-sized sliders are ideal for bigger doorways, such as those in buildings. Due to its expansive size, up to eight functional door spaces can be installed to maximize its size.


Despite its sheer size, patio sliding doors do not take up much space. In fact, the area encasing these sliding doors can serve as additional spot for your home decorations or simply a gap to help a room appear bigger than it really is. You may place ornamental plants to give the room a wonderful ambiance.

To fully enjoy the benefits this door provides, you can install screens or shades to repel insects and deflect heat away from your patios. And because sliding patio doors allow natural light to come in, you not only have a relaxing time in your very home, you also save a lot on electricity costs.