Patio Sliding Door

UPVC patio doors are an excellent choice when you are looking out for an elegant, economical and eco-friendly patio door option. Swing, sliding, tilt turn or French, patio doors help bring light and clear view of the outside in. These doors need less maintenance and are known for their energy-efficiency capability. Thesy can withstand all sound, impact, fire, water, and weather conditions; and are corrosion and thermal expansion resistant as well. UPVC patio doors are mostly manufactured in UK and are exported to various parts of the world. Most of the doors are energy star rated and are eligible for energy tax credits.


You can add UPVC summerhouses and decking to your gardens and relax throughout the year without worrying about the change of weather. The UPVC frames do not rot, warp or shrink when exposed to different weather disturbance. You can also choose from several interior and exterior finishes.

Composite doors have a natural wood-like finishing, are customizable, and designed to suit all climatic conditions.

4-Pane Sliding Patio Doors – JustDoors UK

These doors are available in standard and customized sizes according to requirements. You can choose from white, oak or rosewood shades. To evade burglars, the door is secured using a high level locking system and has a sealed glazed unit with internal beads that further help improve security. The glass is double-glazing with Low E coating for better thermal efficiency. Patio door prices range from $1400 to $2400 depending upon the finishing, number of panes, and size of the door. These doors need no or less maintenance and the company offers 10 years warranty for these types of doors.

Inline Sliding UPVC Patio Doors – EuroCell

This company is known for creating ultra modern designs in the doors. Several colors and wood grain finishes are available to add beauty to your residential or business property. The sliding doors help to virtually bring the outside in and provide excellent protection from external elements and with the use of double-glazed glass with low E coating, these doors act as insulation to maintain internal temperature. To make your doors more interesting, you can even embellish them with a collection of gold, white or chrome door furniture.

You can also opt for the complete door set with the frames, equipments, handles and locks or the required part of the door set. These doors are shipped with an exclusive bead system for better safety and easy installation. Priced between $800 and $1400, these doors are under warranty for 10 years.

2-Pane Sliding Patio Door – Dunster House

Priced at around $1750, this door has high-end ‘mushroom locking’ system for improved safety. Although the door is welded properly and gaskets used are virtually invisible (giving it a neat finishing), it also has a 5-layered chamber that add strength and efficiency to the door to avoid air leakage and a glass toughened with low E coating is installed to make it thermal efficient. The high quality UPVC is used to avoid discoloring after constant exposure to extreme weather conditions. You can choose from various colors, grain patterns, sill sizes, cylinders, vents, glass patters and type of glass while customizing your patio doors.

Oak UPVC Patio Doors – DIY

This sliding door can be reversed while installing for left or right side opening and the door is shipped with 24” low E coated, toughened double glazed glass. To ensure safety, high security locking systems are also installed to help safeguard from burglars.

Despite its glass finish, you may still include golden oak finishing and golden handle trimmings to add character and style to your doors. Further adding value to them is the usage of premium grade UPVC that protects the doors from discoloring after several years of use. The door has a guaranteed 10-year warranty.

French Patio Doors – VEKA

This swinging double door adds classic touch to your home. These doors make your patio look like extensions to your living space. This door is fitted with necessary high-end security systems to protect your house from any housebreakers. Highly developed weather protection techniques, toughened glazing and multiple slotted frames for avoiding air leaks and strength make this a perfect choice for your home. Priced between $900 and $1500 with 10 years guarantee, VEKA boasts of 97% customer satisfaction out of their more than 200,000 happy customers who have installed VEKA products.

Though all products boast of low maintenance and energy-efficiency, VEKA has testimonials from various happy customers. Although the pricing is slightly high compared to other brands, quality stands out for years.



Pros and Cons

- Both composite and UPVC doors need less maintenance, however, composite doors are stronger than UPVC doors.
- UPVC doors tend to discolor over years of exposure to various climatic conditions.
- UPVC is less expensive compared to composite and other wooden or steel doors.
- These doors are highly resistant to damage compared to wood or steel doors.
- Though intricate designs can be added to wooden doors and are considered as luxury, the UPVC doors are appreciated for its functionality. Desired designs can be achieved in the UPVC models as well.
- The doors tend to look constricted due to its slim frames.

Sliding, swing, French or tilt turn, UPVC patio doors bestow extravagance to your living space.

Sliding doors are used in doorways and porches, pools, gardens or the patios. Unlike the hinged doors, sliding doors take less space, and yet these glass patio doors boost up the elegant look of your interiors.

Famous brands like Anderson, Marvin and Pella have revolutionalized the look of these doors by making exquisite designs of doors and windows. A wide range of energy efficient, stylish, safe and durable sliding glass patio doors are available to decorate every home. These patio door prices range between $750 – $2000 depending upon the quality and the brand.

Manufacturers and Costs

400 Series Frenchwood Gliding Patio Doors by Andersons

New series of doors built with Stormwatch protection and customizable EcoExcel energy package are released by Andersons. You can customize the size of the doors along with grilles, hardware accessories, transoms, stationary panels and insect screens. Andersons use high quality Low E4 glass, which evades the penetration of sound and UV rays. This glass dries faster and leaves less water spots avoiding dirt buildup compared to normal glass. This glass comes with 20 years warranty.
A door of 6ft x 7ft is priced at around $1700.

Encompass by Pella

These vinyl sliding doors are maintenance free and are designed artistically. They come in different colors with grill patterns in the glass to cater to your home needs. These doors are energy star rated with low E glass installed making it suitable for all seasons. They come with lifetime warranty. Price range is from $800 – $1300.

OXXO by Marvin

Marvin has introduced a 4-panel sliding window to virtually extend your living area onto your porch. Thin stiles, railing, architectural hardware accessories, tough windowsill with top hung screen add functionality and exquisiteness to the doors. Likewise, security hardware devices are installed for additional safety. Designed to be energy efficient, these doors come at a reasonable price range from $1300 – $2000.

Tips to Consider Before Installation

- Choose the correct size and location before installing the patio doors.
- Research and get help from a professional before purchasing the sliding doors. Discuss your needs with them and choose the right product. Try to know the entire features of the product.
- Check the replacement and repair policies before purchasing the door.
- If you are choosing a pet patio door, check the right dimension to fit the pet. Vinyl or glass panels are attached to the fixed panel making it convenient for the pets to move in and out.
- Use multiple-paned glass and high-quality security door hardware as single paned glass doors are vulnerable to housebreakers.
- Make sure you use thick blinds or long curtains to cover the doors when not in use. This can serve as a good privacy option.
- Use a screen door to keep your house pest-free.
- Extend the view of your garden and keep your interiors bright using French sliding glass patio doors with broader fixed panels.

Sliding Glass Patio Doors – Simple Repair Tips

- Check the rollers and tracks frequently to avoid doors getting jammed.
- Flushing the tracks will help remove dirt and sand particles in the path.
- Rollers can be lubricated with grease to avoid problems due to friction.
- Adjust the door if the roller is not properly placed on the tracks. Keep some spare door hardware handy to avoid delay in repairing.
- Check for any damage in the glass. Use polymer-based adhesive for minor cracks. Replace the whole glass pane or the door for larger cracks.
- Weather stripping extends the life of the door frames to withstand extreme weather conditions.
- Always keep the spare parts ready to fix any door repairs.

New or a replacement, sliding glass patio doors change the appearance of the entire house. Choose the right product and enjoy the makeover to your interiors.

Sliding patio doors add beauty to your interiors. Because of its transparent nature, these sliding glass patio doors help in getting the clear view of the outdoor from inside the house, take less patio space, and add elegance to any home compared to hinged doors. Likewise, these sliding doors help avoid accidents that could otherwise occur while accessing the hinged doors.

Brands

Leading brands like Marvin, Anderson’s, NewPro and Therma Tru have released an array of contemporary exterior patio doors with different designs and styles. The prices vary between $800-$2300 depending upon the brand name and quality.

LLC F85396 Aluminum Reversible Sliding Glass Patio Door by Croft

Priced at $460, these doors are 2-paneled with tempered glass glazing. Frames, accessories, and screens are shipped with the unit. To ensure ultimate safety, the doors are installed with Series 3000 latches.

Infinity by Marvin

Infinity brings together conventional and fashionable designs to match your home. Superior fiberglass, frames, and hardware devices make it durable and suitable for all seasons, hence, it is maintenance-free and energy-efficient. Features like colors, grilles and hardware accessories can be customized according to your the needs. According to customer feedback, Infinity was given a 4.8/5 rating based on the quality, safety hardware, and balance systems. The price ranges from $1300-$2400.

400 Series Frenchwood 4-Panel Sliding Patio Doors by Andersons

These sliding French patio doors are customizable according to your housing requirements. Tempered Low E4 glass lessens the wet spots and helps the glass to stay clean. This is a great choice for sliding doors considering its solid construction, thus, it helps lower door maintenance costs. It is also energy-efficient as it aids in deflecting heat and light from outside your home.

Optional insect screens can also be installed. Price starts from $3000 and above depending upon the customization.

Benefits

• Accessing the sliding door is easier than a hinged door. It is easy for elderly persons and children to open and close without much strain.
• The door can be wider than the regular doors making passage for wheelchairs and strollers more convenient.
• They neither open or close nor crash by itself due to heavy wind.
• You can keep the patio door open during summer for fresh air, thus, reducing the air conditioning charges.
• A fiberglass or metal screen door can be installed outside the patio door. It prevents dust, bugs, insects, animals, and sand particles from entering inside.
• The glass or the fiberglass panels are treated to act as insulators and are weatherproof.
• The glazing technology has significant impact in making the glass or fiberglass energy-efficient, thus, reducing the costs. Polymer foam is inserted to avoid air leakage further aiding in saving energy.
• The metal frames are eco-friendly as most of them are made of recycled metals.
• Installation of sliding patio doors can be done easily with the do-it-yourself kits available.

Disadvantages

• Proper glazing has to be used on the doors as the glass let in light and heat during summer and reduce heat during winter inside the house.
• Wood patio doors are expensive compared to the available alternatives and need extra care. Vinyl or polyurethane primer and paint coating has to be used to protect from extreme weather conditions.
• Since glass door is very delicate, you need to install a metal screen door as shield outside the glass door to avoid breaking.

As with any other door, French patio doors add a certain level of elegance to your patio area and the room to which it connects. It allows you some room for visual appreciation of an immaculately maintained lawn and garden and if used as an internal door, French doors provide a cheery and roomy ambiance amid two adjoined living areas. At times, this door type is also a good alternative for interior walls, further adding dimension to your living room.

Often associated with class and elegance, French doors are relatively more expensive than other door types. However, having them installed in your home is a wise investment since, in time, if you choose to sell your house, it can help up your home’s value. Although these doors add beauty and sophistication in your home, the downside of having them installed is the hazards it presents especially if you live in hurricane-prone areas. To minimize these risks, ensure to install hurricane shutters that help stop wind and flying rubbles from shattering your glass doors.

How to Choose French Patio Doors

When choosing your exterior patio doors, ensure to consider the harsh weather conditions your doors will be subjected to. Following are different types of patio French doors.

Glass – Ensure that patio doors are double-paned and are Low-E glass-classified. This means that when there is a heat source coming from the house or even outside the house, the glass bounces the heat away from itself. Thus, during the cold months, any heat coming from within the house (from your fireplace, for instance), stays inside the house instead of dissipating away. The same thing is true when the heat source is coming from the outside during warmer months. Instead of heat going inside the house, your Low-E glass panes bounce the heat off the glass, thus, heat stays outside the house.

Vinyl – This French door-type is very easy to clean and is very durable, although typically predisposed to scrapes and indentations

Wood – As an exterior patio door, wooden doors are assembled to withstand any weather condition, thus, are not predisposed to morphing or cracking. However, to ensure that your wood doors are in pristine condition, you need to apply new colouring as maintenance after every couple of years.

Costs and Manufacturers

Steel French Patio Door by JELD-WEN
Model # 939693, size 72 in. x 80 in.

Features:

- Installed with a Brick mould that is resistant to mildew, rotting, and moisture
- Comes with a wooden door frame and a steel door
- Has swinging doors with double-pane glasses
- Is energy-efficient since it comes with its own mini blinds glass selections
- Weighs around 175 lbs, is 5.5 inches thick, and is 72 inches in width size
- Affordable at $419.00 each

Simonton French Door by Simonton

Features:

- Comes as double operating doors
- Has in-swing and out-swing feature
- Has a multi-point locking system that secures two or more sides of a door
- Made of insulated tempered glass and vinyl door frame
- Actual size is around 72” width and 80” height
- A bit expensive at around $2000

Steel French Door by ReliaBilt
Model # 290246, size 80 in. x 60 in.

Features:

- Made of galvanized steel that is rust- and corrosion-resistant
- Comes with well-insulated and energy-efficient glass doors
- Follows the Clean 1-lite model
- Offers limited lifetime guarantee
- Very affordable at $428 only


Advantages and Customer Comments

One of the best things that French patio doors offer is the natural light that they usher into the house from outside. In addition, because of the glass material, you get to enjoy the ambiance from inside the home and outside as well. In terms of security, these patio doors are built with safety measures in mind as they come with several indoor latches and cannot be unbolted from the outside when locked.

However, if you live with small children or pets, the only downside is that you will always have to deal with fingerprints and paw prints.

Despite the varying patio door prices for each French door model, this door type has often received positive reviews from customers:

- Very easy to maintain and clean. Aside from aesthetics, external French doors are durable and hard-wearing because they are usually made from uPVC
- Can be designed as a stand-alone door or paired doors
- Are available in materials such as aluminum, uPVC or vinyl, and wood

Thus, before you make a final decision as to the type of door model you want, ensure to check out French patio door models to add beauty and function to your home.

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.