Open up: available in dozens of styles, sliding and patio doors offer wide-open views of the great outdoors

Building Products, May-June, 2004 by Stephanie Herzfeld

No matter what type of sliding or patio door you offer, homeowners demand unobstructed views and lots of light. And manufacturers are offering a broad array of high-performance products to suit every style and budget.

Many manufacturers predict that 9- and 10-foot-tall doors will become standard. "Multi-panel and taller doors that maximize views go along with bigger homes to create a monumental feel by flooding rooms with light," says Jeff Kibler, brand manager for Peachtree Doors and Windows.

But no matter the size, builders and remodelers simply expect they'll be installing lots of patio doors and sliders.

"I've been using more and more patio doors these days. You get more light [than just a window] for your dollar; they're the cost-effective way to make the most of your views," says Scott Grote of Grote Construction, a building and remodeling firm in Mohnton, Pa.

SLIDING VERSUS PATIO

According to Jeff Lowinski of the Des Plaines, Ill.-based Window and Door Manufacturers Association, the design of the room the sliding or patio door will occupy is the biggest influence as to what product style you should install.

The market for sliding doors continues to be tract applications offof decks; swinging or French doors are used in more formal interior spaces in both new construction and room additions. However, you typically won't replace a slider with a swinging door because it would encroach on the existing space.

"The disadvantage to sliding is that you never can completely slide all of it out of the way, but swinging doors take up much more space when they're open, and those factors dictate your choice," says Lowinski, the association's vice president of technology and marketing.

Homeowners who want to replace a standard white sliding door have numerous options. Wood-grain interiors and decorative hardware allow you to create stylish looks, says Bill Lazor, senior brand manager for Simonton vinyl windows and doors. Simonton, along with a majority of its competitors, offers many sliding styles in an array of finishes and options.

But no matter what kind you install, both types of doors address a nationwide "trend toward view and access to outdoor space," claims Lowinski.

MATERIAL WORLD

Available at big box retailers for as little as $200 for basic steel, climbing into the thousands of dollars for wood and fiberglass units, sliding and patio units are available in many materials at various price points.

Lazor says that many builders typically use vinyl products because they're cost effective and meet basic codes. What's more, many vinyl doors feature one-piece construction and come factory assembled, which are advantages for pros.

"They're easy to install and save so much time," comments Grote, adding multipiece wood units are more labor intensive to put up.

Nevertheless, other materials, such as aluminum and fiberglass, work best in specific applications. Aluminum, which accounted for nearly a quarter of sliding and patio door sales in 2000, now holds ground in coastal areas because it's very strong and durable. claim the experts.

"You can't avoid [the DP-50 rating] on the East Coast. It's starting to become standard," says Kibler. And fiberglass, though not widely used, is gaining popularity with high-end homeowners who want the look of wood but not the maintenance.

THE DOOR IS OPEN

With so many sliding and patio doors available, manufacturers predict that performance-enhanced products will drive the market. Manufacturers are offering products at every grade, from improved welding techniques for stronger vinyl frames, to enhanced laminated glass for sound control, to alternative materials for improved low maintenance.

"We're going back to a craftsmanship ideal, creating doors on an individual level," says Lazor.

RELATED ARTICLE: Options abound.

From decorative glass to unique hardware, manufacturers are setting themselves apart by offering distinct sliding and patio door options.

"I've been seeing more attention to leaded and beveled glass these days," notes Scott Grote, a builder and remodeler in Pennsylvania.

In addition to decorative glass, manufacturers are offering more and more options to meet a general trend toward upscale-looking products and to create a consistent look throughout a home.

"Interior hardwood choices such as oak, maple, cherry, and pine allow homeowners to have coordinating cabinetry and doors," says Jeff Kibler of Peachtree Doors and Windows, a firm that offers these choices.

Exterior colors also allow manufacturers to set themselves apart. Many sliding and patio door makers offer an array of hues as a diversion from standard white, while others mix custom colors.

Last but not least, hardware finishes are taking their cue from kitchen and bath fittings and fixtures--from brushed and stainless nickel and chrome to Venetian bronze.

"People want all the options to choose from, whether it's decorative hardware or divided lights, and they're willing to pay for them," says Jeff Lowinski of the Window and Door Manufacturers Association.--S.H.