Vinyl and aluminum cladding each have advantages and drawbacks. With vinyl, the color permeates the material, so scratches don''t show. Aluminum will scratch, but it is tougher and available in a wider variety of colors. Neither With basic accessories, a 6-foot-wide clad-wood slider costs about; an 8-foot-wide door. Installation will cost, depending on exterior siding repair needed and the general complexity of the job. Click here for the catalog. Of course, there are economies of scale: The more doors you install, the better the deal on both materials and labor. You can also buy wood sliders factory-primed or prepainted in standard colors; some manufacturers will custom-paint them for a premium. For a dual-glazed, solid-wood door that isn''t clad or painted, you''ll pay about. Other materials Fiberglass and steel are particularly durable door materials. Both are made to simulate the look of wood, but fiberglass does this more convincingly than steel. Fiberglass, Factory-primed doors can be painted or given an opaque wood stain. finishingwood A 6-foot-wide door costs. A 7-foot, 6-inch door with three panels costs about. Steel doors are rugged and typically cost less than fiberglass.

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: finishingwood A finishingwood 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 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 best of both worlds - excellent durability outside and the natural warm look of wood inside.

Their durable fiberglass surface features a rich red oak grain, but unlike wood doors, they won''t split, crack, dent, or warp. Perfect for the patipo too. They feature solid oak square edges and a durable compression-molded fiberglass surface. A solid polyurethane foam core offers five times greater insulation than wood doors. Plus, a wide wood lock stile extends the full length of the door, adding security and stability. Therma-Tru offers the complete Classic Craft door system, including doorlites, jambs, brickmould, weatherstripping, hinges, door bottom and your choice of sill options. All components are designed, engineered and manufactured for top-quality performance and appearance. Elegant doorlite designs are offered in numerous configurations and six distinctive glass patterns, as well as clear glass. Detailed glass is protected between two panes of safety-tempered glass for increased durability, energy efficiency and cleaning ease. Add matching sidelites and a transom to create the look you want. Classic-Craft doors can be stained in all the popular stain colors with the patented Therma-Tru Finishing System, or painted to match any decor. Best of all, the entire door system is backed by a lifetime-limited warranty.