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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: A 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.

The door can be painted or stained, and is available in 3- by 6-foot and 3- by 8-foot models. The eight-foot door business is growing by leaps and bounds, and many people are replacing single doors with double doors. We are meeting that market with these doors. explained. The doors are constructed from a wood master, from which the grain is taken, and detailed onto the fiberglass surface with adhesives. These doors have fooled wooden door people. Steel and fiberglass manufacturer goes a step farther with grain patterns for staining For a couple of years, Therma-Tru, a leading manufacturer of systems non-wood residential entry door, had been looking for a product that would appeal to homeowners who favor the look of wood doors. Therma-Tru offered several steel and fiberglass models with grain patterns that could be stained by a contractor or D1Yer. But at the point of sale, potential buyers were staring at an unfinished steel/fiberglass surface. Last spring the company came to market with a model that it believes will challenge the traditional wood entry door. Therma-Tru introduced the pre-finished Classic Craft six-panel entry door, marking the first time in its 30-plus year history that the company offered a pre-stained fiberglass model.

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.