Though conventional aluminum sliders maintain a strong foothold in the market, sliding doors made of wood and other materials have given the segment an entirely new identity. The most popular sliders offer the warmth of wood on the inside and the durable cladding of vinyl on the outside.
Because wood is vulnerable to moisture and the effects of the sun, it must be given a durable finish. You can buy all-wood sliders that are factory primed or pre-painted in standard colors; some manufacturers will also custom paint them for a premium.
As alternatives, there are doors made from fiberglass composites that resemble wood but will not crack or warp, and rugged steel sliders, which are usually less expensive. Still other doors are faced on both sides with a vinyl or aluminum skin; a polyurethane foam insulation core fills the shell, offering six times the energy efficiency of wood.
Glazing for Sliding Doors
Of course, the largest part of a sliding glass door is glass. To make such a door truly energy efficient, high-performance glazing is key. Fortunately, this is standard with most high-quality sliders. You will find dual glazing or, more typically, double-paned glass with a low-emissivity (low-e) coating and, in some cases, argon gas filling.
In addition, some companies offer decorative stained or beveled glass with true brass caming (leading). Like other types of doors and windows, sliders are available with real or faux divided lites. With most manufacturers, you specify the glazing you want when you order.
Sliding Door Sizes & Options
In addition to the standard 6-foot-8-inch height, sliding doors are made 6 feet, 11 inches tall and 8 feet tall. You can also buy three- or four-door-wide configurations that run up to about 16 feet wide.
Sliders are made in single-opening and double-opening styles. To extend your design options, most manufacturers provide matching rectangular and circle-head transom windows intended to fit above doors.
Some companies offer top-mounted insect screens that are easier to use than rolling screens. With these, debris along the bottom glide rail is much less likely accumulate and interfere with the door’s smooth operation.
Futuristic Sliding Doors
Recently developments have been made that break the boundaries of the flat, single-panel residential sliding door.
Panda Windows & Doors has created a line of high-end and custom-made sliding doors that curve around a 90-degree angle. Another new invention is the “lift and slide” technology that actually lifts the door onto its rollers when the door handle is turned 180 degrees. When the handle is turned back, the door lowers onto a rubber foot that creates an air- and water-tight seal.
