Sliding Doors

Sliding doors, we call them gliding doors, are sleek and modern patio doors that slide to open. They feature expansive glass creating an effect that mimics floor-to-ceiling windows. 

The composite in our sliding patio doors is twice as strong as vinyl. It can also withstand temperatures up to 150°F — even in dark colors — so it won’t warp* in the sun, like vinyl doors can. Perhaps best of all, they’re comparable in price. This is why we call Fibrex® material, our trademarked composite, the smart alternative to vinyl. Find Fibrex material composite sliding patio doors in our 100 Series. 

Want to explore the difference between vinyl and Fibrex material? 

The most energy efficient patio door will depend on your climate. You can make selections that will help your door perform optimally for the demands of your locale, whether you live in the desert, tundra, or somewhere in between. Here’s what to know:

• Low-emissivity glass coatings can help your door’s glass reflect the sun’s energy in a way that improves the energy efficiency of a home. Low-E4® glass is our standard offering and works well in most climates, but there are other options and the ability to combine coatings. These additional options are most useful in the most extreme climates — whether hot or cold.
• Triple-pane glass is the most insulating and particularly useful in northern climate zones, especially ones where stricter energy codes are in effect. With two air spaces and three panes of glass, triple-pane doors can also be ordered with more than one Low-E coating, which can further improve energy efficiency. Patio doors with triple-pane glass are available through the A-Series, E-Series, 400 Series, and 200 Series product lines.

Find tips on how to pick out energy-efficient windows and doors. 

Yes! Adding a new sliding door to your home can increase its property value. Realtors and builders agree that Andersen windows and doors increase the value of a home by at least 15%.* 

In addition to improving your property value, adding a new energy-efficient sliding patio door has the potential to lower your utility bills too. 

The greatest value though might just come from the beauty, functionality, and comfort that a new door can bring to your everyday life. 

^{*2024 Andersen brand surveys of U.S. builders and realtors}  

You can make selections to improve the security of your sliding door. Here are a few options to be aware of:

• Auxiliary foot lock: This lock is installed in the track of your sliding door and can be pressed with your foot to keep the moving panel in place — if you’ve ever seen a dowel placed in the track of a door, this is an upgrade to that approach. It can be used when the door is closed or partially open, and it’s available with all our sliding doors.  The auxiliary foot lock provides an extra measure of security when the door is in a locked position.
• Exterior keyed locks: This allows you to lock and unlock your patio door from the exterior, in addition to a thumb lock on the interior. This option is available with all our patio doors.

Finally, for your own peace of mind, you’ll want to be aware that all our patio doors are made of tempered glass, which is stronger than standard glass, and harder to shatter.

Yes, we sell replacement patio door panels through our Parts Store. If your sliding patio door is in good shape, but a panel has been damaged — think baseball through the glass — it might be possible to replace that panel. However, we do recommend consulting with a contractor before ordering a replacement panel, unless you are experienced with window and door replacement.

We sell impact-resistant sliding glass doors designed to help protect coastal homes from the damage that wind-borne debris can cause during hurricanes. These doors are made with laminated glass, which is stronger and harder to break. They also have stronger hardware and other details that help make them stronger. Our impact-resistant products are those with Stormwatch® protection, which is an option available with A-Series patio doors and E-Series patio doors. 

Get a primer on our impact-resistant products. 

The cost of a new sliding patio door will vary depending on the product and selections you make, where you live, and more. We can help you start understanding window and door costs.

If you are ready to start building a project budget, you can request a quote.  

The cost of installing a sliding patio door varies depending on the location. The cost of labor is not the same across the country, and installation costs include more than just labor. They also include things like permitting, materials, disposal fees, and more. 

For the best information on installation costs, you need to speak with a pro. We can help you find a local contractor who specializes in our product. 

Yes, like everything else in your home, a sliding door will need some basic maintenance to stay in top condition for its lifetime. 

• Regular cleaning is a good place to start. We recommend cleaning windows and doors twice per year — once in the spring and again in the fall.
• It’s also a best practice to clean your insect screens and remove them before winter.
• Occasionally other maintenance might be needed, such as cleaning hardware or applying a dry spray lubricant to moving parts. 

If you are cleaning door glass and insect screens regularly, this will put you in close contact with your door and help you notice any other maintenance issues that might need to be addressed.

For more information on maintenance for all our products, visit our Help Center. 

The pros of blinds-between-the-glass include the following:

• Privacy that’s convenient and variable — raise, lower, and tilt depending on your needs.
• Light protection for your interior and furnishings.
• No maintenance required to keep these blinds in top condition — they'll never get dirty!
• Enhanced safety for children and pets with our cordless option.

The main con of blinds-between-the-glass is that they are a permanent feature. You will not be able to remove them later unless you replace your door. In the past, some manufacturers had issues with frozen blinds-between-the-glass. That’s not an issue that you should expect with modern offerings. In fact, our limited warranties cover this product option for 10 years.

Find this option available with our 200 Series Gliding Patio Door. Blinds-between-the-glass is also an offering with a variety of French doors and some windows.