Sliding patio doors are a favorite among homeowners because they’re easy to use, take up little space, and allow plenty of natural light and fresh air indoors. These doors have a wide price range — between $1,000 and $7,500 — with the price depending on factors such as type of glass, energy efficiency features, size, and frame material. Most homeowners land on an average cost of $2,500 for a new sliding glass patio door, but you’ll need to consider the type of door you want first. You’ll also want to budget around $500 for installation costs, although this will vary based on the complexity of the installation project.
I’ve researched the main factors that impact the cost of sliding patio doors and their installation. In this guide, I’ll break these factors down so you can make an informed decision about your sliding patio door installation.
4.1
Exclusive Fibrex framing
A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau
Team of certified installers
4.3
Impressive customer ratings
Lifetime window warranties
Large catalog of additional remodeling services
4.3
Offers wood and vinyl framing
Outstanding customizability
Seven glass options
What Are The Different Types of Sliding Patio Doors?
Sliding patio doors come in many different styles, from simple two-panel doors to complex bifold doors. Here’s a quick breakdown of each type of sliding patio door so you can assess what type will best suit your needs and home.
- Two-panel door: This sliding patio door has two panels of glass, one of which slides open to allow fresh air and sunlight into your home.
- Three-panel door: Most three-panel sliding doors have two static and one operable panels. The moveable panel slides open, allowing you to move from inside to outside your home quickly.
- Four-panel door: As the name implies, four-panel doors, or sliding French doors, are composed of four panels. The two on either end of the four-panel installation are stationary. The two in the middle slide open in opposite directions to create an opening that’s two panels wide.
- Folding doors: Folding doors, otherwise known as bifold patio doors or glass walls, are built using huge glass panels. These doors fold accordion style on a track and can be opened to the doorframe’s entire width. This unique feature is reflected in the price, making these doors a high-end, premium option.
- Telescoping: These doors are installed with two door panels that slide into the same adjoining wall. This set-up ensures the doorway can be completely opened, letting in plenty of light and fresh air.
For a quick overview of what different types of sliding patio doors look like and their benefits, watch this video from Marvin Replacement:
How Much Do Sliding Patio Doors Cost?
The type of sliding patio door you want will significantly impact the cost as certain types, like a two-panel door, require far less material and construction process than a complex folding door.
The following table estimates how much you can expect to pay for each type of sliding patio door, not accounting for labor costs.
| Door Type (Vinyl Frame) | Cost Range |
| Two-panel doors | $700 – $2,500 |
| Three-panel doors | $1,100 – $5,000 |
| Four-panel doors | $2,500 – $7,500 |
| Folding doors | $8,000 – $13,000 |
| Telescoping | $1,500 – $5,000 |
As expected, two-panel doors cost less on average than three- or four-panel doors because they require fewer panels, materials, and labor to install. The most expensive sliding patio door style to install is typically folding doors because of their complicated design, allowing the door to open to its entire width and fold on a specialized track. The specialty track and colossal glass panels required for a folding door dramatically increase the average price, explaining the high starting cost of $8,000.
Telescoping doors are in the middle price-wise due to their more intensive installation, which lets the door slide into an adjoining wall. However, these doors only require two panels, which generally keeps the costs lower than four-panel or folding doors.
What Size Sliding Patio Doors Are Cheapest?
Oversized sliding glass doors are almost always more expensive than smaller ones because they require more labor, material, and installation hours. All of these factors increase the cost. For example, a small vinyl patio door may cost $1,350, but a large vinyl patio door could easily cost over $2,000 for the size difference alone. A good rule of thumb is that each square foot of a sliding patio door adds $10 to $50 to your total cost, so the bigger your door is, the more it will cost. If you opt for a custom size over standard sizes, this will increase your costs, too, as the door is being made specifically for your home with unique additional features.
Does Energy Efficiency Increase Sliding Patio Doors Prices?
Energy efficiency features significantly impact the price of sliding patio doors.
The type of glass is the largest factor affecting energy savings with a sliding patio door. Remember, single-pane glass patio doors lose more heat than any other type of door because the glass lacks insulative capabilities. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends choosing sliding patio doors with several layers of glass, Low-E coatings, and gas fills between glass panes to save on energy costs. Weatherstripping will also reduce air leaks, preserving your home’s temperature and reducing energy costs.
Sliding glass door costs are more expensive when you opt for energy efficiency features, but these add-ons can save you a lot of money over time on your utility bills. Reference the following table for a look at how different energy-efficient glass types add to the total of a sliding patio door with double-pane glass.
How Much Does Professional Sliding Patio Doors Installation Cost?
Sliding patio door installation is best left to the professionals to preserve your home’s structural integrity, especially if the project involves cutting into your house’s walls. Not only this, but sliding patio doors are cumbersome, typically weighing between 40 and 60 pounds, so the job is best handled by two people to prevent injury. As a result, I strongly recommend hiring a professional contractor to ensure your door is installed correctly and securely so you can reap better energy savings and keep your home protected.
Professional door replacement costs usually fall between $65 and $85 per hour, with most jobs taking around seven hours to complete. You can expect to pay a total cost of approximately $500 for sliding glass patio door installation.
The following table factors the cost of labor into the total cost of a sliding glass door.
How Do Sliding Patio Doors Frame Materials Affect Cost?
Sliding patio doors come in multiple frame materials. All of these have their own price ranges, benefits, and shortcomings. Reference the following table for a quick look at how frame material impacts the cost of a new sliding patio door.
| Frame Material | Cost of Two-Panel Door (Without Labor) |
| Aluminum | $700 – $2,500 |
| Composite | $600 – $1,300 |
| Fiberglass | $1,500 – $2,600 |
| Vinyl | $350 – $1,250 |
| Wood | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| Wood clad | $11,000 – $15,000 |
Vinyl is hands down the most popular frame material because it is lower cost, low maintenance, and lightweight. Unfortunately, the material isn’t as durable as other materials, can warp in extreme temperatures, and often doesn’t have as tight a seal as other materials, which can lead to air leaks. Composite is another more affordable option that combines wood particles and resin. While more expensive than vinyl, it’s less likely to warp and has a tighter seal.
Aluminum is an excellent frame material because it is durable, lightweight, and rot and corrosion-resistant. The biggest downside to this frame material is that it conducts heat, so it’s less than ideal for homes in hot climates. Wood is another popular premium frame material, but homeowners should be prepared to perform frequent maintenance. Wood doors are fantastic insulators but require regular sealing and painting and preventative steps to avoid water damage. If you love the look of wood but want a lower-maintenance sliding patio door, consider fiberglass or wood-clad options. Both look like wood frames but have very few maintenance needs, with the biggest con being their higher price point.
Can You Install Sliding Patio Doors Yourself?
If you are an experienced DIYer, you may be able to install a more straightforward sliding door replacement with one or more panels. However, you’ll likely need a friend or family member to help you out due to the heaviness of the doors. The process of installing a sliding patio door starts with prying the existing door frame out of the jamb, then adding new flashing and installing a sill pan. Then, fit the new door frame into the opening and install the glass panel before finishing the interior and exterior door frames with trim, insulation, and caulk.
If you have concerns about your lack of expertise, it’s best to hire a professional because improper installation will create air leaks and can pose a security risk, which isn’t worth the couple hundred dollars saved.
How Do Custom Sliding Patio Doors Affect Installation Price?
As is the case with nearly any type of customization, you’ll find that installation prices are typically higher for custom vs. standard sliding patio doors. Prices are higher because of the complexity of the design, unique size, and material, which factor into how challenging the installation is. Since most contractors charge for installation hourly, this will increase the number of hours required for installation, driving up the total cost. Fortunately, the benefits of custom sliding patio doors, such as unique design and better materials, can increase your home’s curb appeal and resale value, so this investment is worthwhile for many homeowners.
What Warranties Come With Sliding Patio Doors?
Warranties on sliding patio doors vary widely based on the brand and installer. During my research, I found that most doors had at least five to ten years of warranty coverage on the frame, glass, and hardware. Labor warranties varied more, usually with around two to five years of coverage from labor defects.
Andersen Windows and Doors is one of our top-rated providers for its high-quality window and door products, installation, and customer service. Its warranty on the popular 400 and 200 series patio doors with shades and blinds in insulated glass includes 10 years of warranty coverage for defects related to materials, manufacturing, and workmanship from the purchase date. In the case of glass, shade, or blind failure, Andersen provides a replacement or factory-authorized repair.
In contrast, I found that Pella — another popular patio door manufacturer — offers a transferable 10-year limited warranty on non-glass materials, workmanship, and laminated glass but only five years of coverage on the blinds and shades.
These are two examples of relatively standard warranties on sliding patio doors. Overall, I recommend looking for sliding patio doors with at least 10 years of warranty coverage and opting for professional installation so you are protected with a labor warranty should anything fail due to improper installation.
Is Sliding Patio Door Installation Worth It?
Sliding patio doors offer a wealth of benefits, from natural light, easy access to the outdoors, and a modern look and feel to the home — all of which can increase your enjoyment of your home and its resale value. With the many available door types and frame materials, you can shop for a sliding patio door that fits your budget, home’s aesthetic, and energy efficiency needs.
When shopping for your new sliding glass door, I recommend looking into what frame materials best suit your climate and ENERGY STAR-rated doors so you save money with a rebate of up to $500 on your federal taxes. For example, aluminum frames are not recommended for hot climates because the frame may warp in extreme heat, but aluminum is a durable, energy-efficient material in colder climates.
Lastly, don’t forget to check out the patio door’s warranty before purchasing it. Ten years or more is the standard, so I recommend looking for brands like Renewal by Andersen, which offer 10 years or more to give you that extra peace of mind that your investment is protected.
Ready to start your research? Gather multiple free quotes from the top-rated door manufacturers in your area.
4.1
Exclusive Fibrex framing
A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau
Team of certified installers
4.3
Impressive customer ratings
Lifetime window warranties
Large catalog of additional remodeling services
4.3
Offers wood and vinyl framing
Outstanding customizability
Seven glass options
FAQs About Sliding Patio Doors
Are sliding doors more expensive than regular doors?
Yes, sliding doors are usually more expensive than regular doors because they require extra hardware like rollers and tracks. These additional parts increase installation and material costs.
What is the difference between a patio door and a sliding glass door?
A patio door is any door, such as a French door, that opens onto a patio or garden area. A sliding glass door is a specific patio door that slides open horizontally on tracks. Many homeowners like sliding glass doors because they take up less space and are easy to open and close.
Are sliding patio doors cheaper than French doors?
French doors are typically cheaper than sliding doors at an average price range of $900 to $5,900. However, both types of doors have varying prices based on the type of door frame material, energy efficiency features, and door size. You’ll also want to consider which option fits your home improvement goals better, as sliding doors can be more cost effective than premium French door options.
Can you replace just the sliding patio door?
Yes, you can replace the sliding patio door without installing a new door frame as long as the existing frame and door are still in good condition. For most homeowners, if the frame is old, damaged, or rotting, it’s worth replacing because of potential air leaks and security risks. You’ll also need to consider if your current frame can handle the new glass. For example, if you choose a heavy, triple-pane glass door, you may need a stronger fiberglass or steel frame to support the weight of the new glass. I recommend consulting with a professional installer before determining if you need to replace the entire door or just the glass panes.
