So you love your sliding glass door for the natural light it brings into the room and the easy access to the patio but you hate the struggle to open and close it due to worn tracks or old failing doors. Let’s take a look at what you can expect to pay to replace your sliding glass door.
Sliding Glass Door Basics
Most sliding doors come in a pair and most are a total of 6 feet wide. The pair of glass panels sit inside of a door frame and will cost about $300. Sliding doors also come pre-made in an 8-foot width with those doors running up to $1,000. Pre-hung versions which can be installed directly into the wall as one unit can cost from $1,000 to $4,000 depending on style, grid and glass selection. Things like impact resistant glass and triple panes will add major cost to the materials. Custom-sized sliding doors will also make a big difference in the price of your sliding glass door replacement project.
Sliding glass doors are typically less expensive to install than a French door. Much of that reason has to do with the basic costs of the materials and the relative ease of installation.
What Influences The Cost to Replace a Sliding Glass Door?
Preparation
- Removal of the old door.
To remove an existing sliding glass door system that has become drafty, leaky or the latch doesn’t secure anymore requires the removal first of the interior trim. The job requires two people to safely remove the panes from the frame and then the jamb and the frame itself.
- Installing a different size sliding door system
If you are replacing your existing sliding glass door unit with one of an equal size, the structural work is already in place. However, if you choose a sliding glass unit that is not the same width or requires a different framing unit, the cost to prepare the wall will increase your total project cost. If structural changes are required, in most places be prepared to pay an additional cost to pull a permit for the work to ensure it is properly ventilated and structurally sound.
Door Frame Materials
Sliding glass doors have evolved from the days of heavy panels and clunky tracks. These new units allow for a choice of style in the materials used and panel designs. Sliding glass doors can be found in a modern or traditional house by choosing the style and material that best complements the style of a home.
- Vinyl
This material is durable and virtually maintenance free. Another advantage is that it comes in lots of different styles and is the least expensive and most popular.
- Wood
Wood allows for a large variety of stains and paints so the advantage here is style. Wood must be treated to be resistant to mold, rotting and insects.
- Clad wood
This is a combo of natural wood inside with metal on the exterior side. It helps homeowners who want the maintenance free but also the choice in stain and paints.
- Aluminum
While lightweight and durable, this isn’t the best choice for energy efficiency.
Style
Sliding glass doors offer options in style and durability.
- Grids
You can customize your glass door to mimic the look of a window using grids to give the look of multi-panes.
Glass
The type of glass you choose can increase the cost of your sliding glass door replacement project. Impact-resistant, high UV protection, energy efficiency rating and textured or tempered glass all impact the cost of the project. A thicker glass or double paneling may cost more upfront but they will also save you money in heating and cooling costs.
Configuration
Even in pre-hung version you can choose which way the doors slide. You can also determine how many panels you want in a unit. The more panels the more the project will cost.
Safety
It is important to make sure you are choosing a lock for your sliding glass door unit that will be durable and easy to use. A basic lock is about $10, but most homeowners will want to upgrade their lock to a model that includes a foot lock, deadbolts and telescoping security bars. The increased security can add up to an average of $50 but be worth much more in piece of mind.
Screens
You may want the advantage of a better view of the outdoors but may not want the outdoor critters having easy access to come inside. Adding a sliding screen door to the project will cost about $150.
Variations of a Traditional Sliding Glass Door
In addition to traditional sliding panels, homeowners now have variations of sliding glass doors.
The French Slider
The French slider is meant to mimic French doors but instead of two panels the French slider has four with two out panels that are fixed and two inner panels that slide back and forth. When closed it appears to be a traditional hinged door, but opened and it can provide an even wider opening than traditional sliding doors- in some cases up to 16 feet.
The Telescoping Patio Door
This door system uses three or more panels that slide past one another stacking on one side. This give the widest opening possible and virtually eliminates and exterior wall. The doors can also open from either side offering flexibility of design. The downside for this design is the actual track for the system has to be wide enough to accommodate all the operations so it can present a tripping hazard.
Folding Glass Doors
Instead of sliding on a track these doors can fold back like an accordion. The advantage is the large opening with virtually no evidence on the floor. This option can be pricey with quotes ranging from $1,000 to $1,500 per linear foot.
Thompson Creek Can Help With Your Sliding Glass Door Needs
When you are ready to replace your outdated, poor performing sliding patio door call Thompson Creek for a free estimate. Thompson Creek provides quality, energy efficient, custom-crafted sliding patio doors for our customers backed with the No Hassle Guarantee. The Thompson Creek vinyl sliding doors use fusion-welded master frame and multi-chambered construction for maximum strength and thermal protection. Let us design your custom sliding patio doors that will expand your view but not your heating and cooling bills.