Other alternatives are made of a polyurethane foam insulation core - offering six times the energy efficiency of wood - faced on both sides with vinyl or aluminum. These typically cost for a 6-foot-wide door. All well-made nonwood doors are designed with thermal breaks (separations between indoor and outdoor surfaces that block the conduction of heat or cold.) Glazing options Of course, the largest part of a glass sliding door is glass. To make a door truly energy efficient, high-performance glazing is key. Fortunately, this is standard with most high-quality sliders. You''ll find double-paned glass with low-E (low energy) coating and, in some cases, argon gas filling. Low-E reduces heat transfer and protects against ultraviolet damage; argon gas filling provides greater insulation. Some manufacturers let you specify the glazing you want when you order. Where sun-caused fading or damage can e a serious problem, you may want to opt for glass with a solar bronze or solar gray tint to reject ultraviolet rays. In addition, some companies offer decorative stained or beveled glass with true brass caming (leading). For bathrooms or other places where privacy is a concern, obscure glass is available.

Beautifully detailed supplies, Classic-Craft and Fiber-Classic doors look and feel just like wood. Their durable fiberglass surface features a rich red oak grain, but unlike wood doors, they won''t split, dent, or warp. Plus, they''re backed by window a lifetime-limited warranty. And, there''s Smooth-Star -- the new fiber glass Steel-Beater door. When comparing fiber glass Smooth-Star doors to steel, the differences are dramatic -- better looks, better feel, better performance and twice the warranty of steel doors.For 35 years, window Therma-Tru Doors and systems have been synonymous with quality and innovation. Innovative manufacturing techniques and a sixth sense of market trends make Therma-Tru the nation''s leading manufacturer of fiberglass and steel doors. Fiberglass is the future, and smart, forward-thinking builders agree that Therma-Tru has the doors they need now and for the future.

Perhaps no single architectural feature is more emblematic of Western living than the glass sliding door. For more than 50 years, sliding glass doors have opened our homes to generous natural light and views, simultaneously giving us easy connections with decks, patios, and gardens. Contemporary sliding, or gliding, doors have come a long way since yesteryear''s aluminum sliders, infamous for their stark appearance, sweating frames, and cold glazing. Today, a new generation of high-quality models offers energy efficiency, durability, safety, and contemporary style. Size and style Sliding doors come in a variety of sizes. In addition to the standard 6-foot, 8-inch height, they''re made 6 feet, 11 inches tall or even 8 feet tall. You can also buy three- or four-door-wide configurations that are window as wide as 16 feet. And sliders are made with one fixed panel and one sliding panel, or with both panels sliding. Most manufacturers extend your design options by providing matching rectangular and roundhead transom windows. Some large manufacturers offer several sliding-door lines with a range of prices. You''ll find doors that have wide rails and stiles (horizontal and vertical framing elements) like French window doors, and doors with thinner rails and stiles that maximize glazing.