Tips

Parts of a patio door

The best way to get the exact door you want? Talk the talk. We’ll teach you what each part of a patio door is called so you can make the right selections and communicate clearly with contractors, dealers, or anyone else. 
When you think of a patio door, what comes to mind? If it’s a two-panel sliding glass door, we have news for you: A patio door can be so much more! Today, there are options that tuck away into walls for completely unobstructed openings, meet at corners to open two walls at once, and even scale down to window size. With such an expansive and flexible array of patio doors, we’re sure there’s one that’s just right for your lifestyle, and your home’s size and style. Understanding what to call each part of a patio door will help you identify the features you like and communicate clearly with your pro throughout the selection and installation process.  

What are the parts of a sliding glass patio door

Panel: The glass and supporting pieces around it together form the panel. A traditional gliding patio door has two panels — one that moves and one that doesn’t.

Frame: The outer structure of a door that holds it in place and connects it with the wall.

Stiles: Vertical pieces of a panel found outside the glass on the left and the right sides of a panel. Also called “side stiles.” On a French door, the side stiles may also be wider than on a contemporary-style panel.

Rails: Horizontal pieces of the panel found outside the glass at the top and the bottom of a panel, and called, respectively, the top rail and the bottom rail. A French door typically has a high bottom rail.

Trim/casing/millwork: Although it’s not technically a part of the door, it’s a key component of its finished look. On the interior, the decorative framing that outlines a door bridging the gap between the door and the wall is called casing. On the exterior, decorative trim around the door is referred to as the “exterior trim.”

Hardware: The handle and lock that allow a door to be moved and secured.

Glazing: The glass in the door panel.

Sill: The horizontal piece at the bottom of a door frame aligning with the floor.

Talk like a pro: Patio door handing

Whether your door opens from the right or the left is called handing. You can decide on the handing when you order your door. It’s important to know that handing direction is described as viewed from the home’s exterior. This decision should be made with the larger context in mind. Think about the flow of your space when you make this decision because it’ll make everyday life more seamless. It’s also a decision that cannot be reversed after installation. 

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Up next:

We’ve got plenty more patio door pointers as well as a homeowner-friendly tool that’ll let you start visualizing your perfect patio door!

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