Find the Best Sliding Glass Doors + Types of Patio Doors to Consider

Tired of dealing with an aging patio door? Find out what types of patio doors are available. Consider material, style, energy efficiency, and options that can make a difference. Marvin Replacement design consultants can help you find the best sliding glass door. Here's what to consider about replacement patio doors.

Types of Sliding Glass Doors to Consider

Marvin Replacement offers a sliding French door and a sliding glass door. What’s the difference between French doors vs. sliding doors? Our sliding French door has a wider frame profile compared to our sliding glass doors.

Additional Patio Door Types to Consider

If a sliding glass patio door isn’t a fit for your home, Marvin Replacement has other types of patio doors. Choose an exterior French door or a stunning bi-fold door. Each type of patio door has advantages.

Patio Door Material Comparison

The material used to make a patio door can make a difference in the look, cost, and energy efficiency for your home. Common materials include: wood, vinyl, fiberglass, and aluminum.

Wood Patio Doors

Wood patio doors look great but may need more maintenance than other patio doors. With proper maintenance wood patio doors can last a long time.

Vinyl Sliding Patio Doors

Homeowners like vinyl patio doors because they don’t need much maintenance. They also come in a variety of colors. Vinyl sliding patio doors offer an attractive price point, too. But vinyl patio doors can expand and contract over time. Expansion and contraction can impact the smooth operation of a patio door.

Aluminum Patio Doors

Aluminum patio doors have durability but may need a little more maintenance If not treated. Aluminum is a metal and conducts energy well, which can impact energy efficiency

Fiberglass Patio Doors

Fiberglass patio doors offer more durability than vinyl patio doors. Marvin Replacement’s Ultrex® fiberglass is 8x stronger than vinyl. It has lower thermal conductivity than aluminum. That means homes keep more heat in winter and stay cooler in the summer. Comparing vinyl vs. fiberglass patio doors, Ultrex fiberglass has greater strength and stability.

Patio Door Maintenance

Our Ultrex fiberglass patio doors offer an excellent low-maintenance option. Our acrylic finish resists dings, dents, and fading. You won’t have to worry about painting or staining with Ultrex. Vinyl patio doors also don’t need much maintenance but lack the finish properties of Ultrex. Wood patio doors and aluminum patio doors need a little more attention to keep them looking good.

Marvin Replacement patio doors also feature a top-hung screen door design. Top-hung screens avoid dirt and debris that can accumulate on bottom tracks. Clogged tracks mean tough-to-open screens.

Patio Door Buying Tips

There’s a lot to consider when picking a patio door. The different styles and options lead to several decisions. You can ask friends and family about their patio door replacement experience. You can also enlist the help of an expert. Marvin Replacement has free, in-home design consultations so you can find the best patio door for your home.

Consider Space

First consider the space you have for a patio door. You might want to replace your existing patio door. You could also want a bigger patio door. If you’re thinking about expanding your patio door, you’ll need to consider the available space. An expert can help determine the feasibility of a bigger patio door.

Ask Friends and Family

Friends and family offer some of the best insight when searching for a patio door installer. They can tell you what they liked and didn’t like about a company. They can also tell you what to avoid with a patio door installer.

Talk to an Expert

Schedule a free Marvin Replacement in-home design consultation to get recommendations and advice. We’ll measure the space for your home’s exact specifications and talk you through all your options. After you pick your patio door, we'll handle all the details and installation.

FAQs

What is the best material to use for patio doors?

Ultrex fiberglass has greater strength than vinyl. It also has a longer useful life expectancy than vinyl.* Ultrex expands 87% less than vinyl. It can withstand extreme temperatures of up to 285° F without losing its shape. Vinyl can start to soften at 163° F.

Aluminum patio doors conduct heat well, meaning hot and cold air pass through. Ultrex is 5,000x less conductive than aluminum. That means homes stay warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

What are the best sliding glass doors for cold weather?

The best sliding glass doors for cold weather have good insulating properties. Our insulated glass and Ultrex fiberglass frames offer indoor comfort in cold weather.

*“Life cycle assessment of windows for the North American residential market: Case study” by the University of British Columbia. Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research, 2008.