Doors are available through improvement home centers, lumberyards, and millwork shops. When you buy a sliding door system, be sure all components are from the same manufacturer. Check the warranty, and follow installation and care instructions. And last, buy quality: A well-made door will return your investment with easy care, smooth operation, energy efficiency, and great looks for years to come. The popularity of wood Although conventional aluminum sliders remain popular, other materials have given the genre a boost. According to Julie Ruth, vice president of codes and regulatory compliance exteriordoors for the , the wood patio door has grown tremendously in popularity. Most high-quality wood sliders supplies are milled from clear fir or clear pine by large window and door companies. Because wood is vulnerable to moisture and sun, it must be given a durable finish. For exceptional durability, many manufacturers protect the exterior sash and frames of these doors with vinyl or aminum cladding. Clad doors offer the exteriordoors best of both worlds - excellent durability outside and the natural warm look of wood inside.

Doors are priced less for Fiberglass than wood and only somewhat more than steel. But by climinating callbacks, fiberglass also provides the builder substantial savings in time and money. Over the long run, fiberglass is clearly the best value for the builder and his custom. As with steel doors a generation ago, Therma-Tru systems continues to drive the shift to doors. Nearly half of the respondents to. More than one in four (27%) voted Therma-Tru the No. I brand in the exterior and entry door category. Both ratings are well ahead of those for the nearest competition. Making doors that last made us first. We''re proud of the fact that Therma-Tru has helped create the fiberglass frenzy, and we remain focused on continuing our long-standing tradition of exteriordoors providing the high-quality, innovative products our customers need. We intend to remain the brand leader in the residential door industry. Fewer Callbacks Drive Builders'' Choice of Therma-Tru. Why are more and more home builders switching from steel doors to Therma-Tru? A dramatic reduction in job-site callbacks to repair or replace dented or dinged doors sits squarely atop the list of reasons.

Therma-Tru Doors have extremely strong brand name recognition with homeowners -- which translates into greater recognition for the builders who use their product. Builders know they can turn exteriordoors to Therma-Tru catalog of Doors to build a new home with curb appeal that starts at the door for the front. Today''s most successful builders demand doors that can withstand the wear and tear that occurs both during installation and over time. The ability to stand up to these demands is one of the main reasons builders are increasingly turning away from wood and steel and selecting doors for the interior. Eliminating builder callbacks, doors save time and money in the repair and maintenance of wood and steel doors.