A sliding glass patio door is a common home upgrade, and how much homeowners will pay depends on a few factors, primarily the door’s size, style, and glass type. Our guide breaks down how these and other choices impact the cost of sliding patio doors and explains how to keep your project affordable.

*Cost data for this article was averaged from Fixr, Home Depot, and Lowe’s.

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What Is the Cost Range for Installing a Sliding Patio Door?

We’ve done extensive research into the industry’s best door and window brands to learn what goes into their typical pricing structures.

Though the national average cost of sliding glass patio doors is $2,000–$4,000, your preferences when choosing the door will affect pricing. Choosing a standard-size door—72 inches by 80 inches—in aluminum will put you closer to an average of $1,626, for example. Nonstandard-size doors made of premium wood or fiberglass with multiple panes and hurricane- or soundproof glass could cost several thousand dollars.

Those who are on a budget will need to decide which factors to save money on and which ones to invest in.

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What Factors Affect Sliding Patio Door Costs?

There are a number of factors that affect the cost of installing a sliding patio door, including the brand, door, and glass type, material used, and size of the door. Here are the elements that have the greatest impact on how much a sliding patio door costs:

• Door type: Patio doors come in a variety of types, from simple two-panel doors to folding glass doors decorated in iron and framed by real wood. That’s why the price range for them is so wide.
• Glass type: Patio doors are made from different kinds of window glass, from decorative to impact-resistant. The more security and energy efficiency provided by the glass, the more expensive it is.
• Material: Manufacturers create doors out of various popular materials, from budget-friendly aluminum to more expensive fiberglass and wood frames.
• Size: Larger doors have more material, so they usually come with higher costs.
• Brand: Sliding patio door brands charge different rates based on their company reputations, standard features, and designs.

Remember that you’ll pay more if you want a bifold door, a telescoping door, a set of French doors, or any other unique type of sliding patio door.

Cost by Door Type

When referring to the type of door, we’re speaking of the number of side-by-side vertical panels the door unit has. Most homeowners install two-panel patio doors. Those with large spaces may choose as many as six-panel patio doors. The more panels you choose, the more you’ll pay.

*Prices do not include door installation costs.

Cost by Glass Type

You’ll have several choices for the type of glass found in your patio door. Some options increase energy efficiency, some add protection, and some enhance the door’s appearance. Below are the average costs of the most common glass treatments and whether they may be a smart investment.

• Gas-filled Glass: If you choose multipane glass, you can add a nontoxic gas between the panes for added insulation. While it costs more, this could be a wise investment if you live in a particularly cold climate and want to keep cold air out.
• Hurricane-proof Glass: Hurricane-proof glass is designed to resist extreme weather conditions and flying debris. You likely don’t need to spend the extra money on this upgrade unless you live in a hurricane zone.
• Impact-resistant Glass: Impact-resistant glass is beneficial in storm-prone areas and provides protection against break-ins.
• Low-emissivity Glass: Glass with a low-emissivity (low-e) coating is energy-efficient. This glass coating prevents the sun’s heat and ultraviolet (UV) rays from coming through the window into your home without blocking natural light.
• Soundproof Glass: If you live in an area with a lot of noise pollution and don’t want to be disturbed, consider installing soundproof glass.
• Tempered Glass: Tempered glass, also called safety glass, is designed to break into smaller chunks instead of large, sharp shards. This could be valuable in storm-prone regions and may be required for certain sliding patio doors.
• Textured Glass: Textured glass primarily offers a unique look but can also aid in privacy. You can choose to have the glass frosted, beveled, glazed, or rippled.

As with windows, you have the option of choosing single-pane, double-pane, or triple-pane glass. This refers to the layers of glass panes the door has. Single-pane doors are the cheapest but offer the least insulation. Today’s standard is double-pane glass since it provides a balance between energy performance and affordability. If you live in a cold climate, however, you may want to invest in triple-pane glass to keep cold air out.

Cost by Door Material

Sliding glass patio doors come in various materials, some more cost-conscious than others. Below, we’ll walk through the most common options with their average costs, along with their pros and cons.

• Aluminum: Aluminum patio doors are heavy-duty and hold up well, but they’re not very energy-efficient and are prone to condensation buildup.
• Composite: Composite patio doors are long-lasting and moderately priced, but they don’t offer much curb appeal.
• Fiberglass: Fiberglass doors are one of the more expensive options due to how durable, customizable, and energy-efficient they are. Their main con is that they often react negatively to certain cleaning products.
• Steel: Steel is typically the priciest patio door material. It’s highly durable and versatile but dents easily and is prone to rusting.
• Vinyl: Vinyl is the most popular patio door material. It’s affordable and is generally low-maintenance, but it doesn’t seal as tightly as more energy-efficient options.
• Wood: A wooden frame material looks nice and insulates well, but it’s prone to warping and rotting in moist climates.

Cost by Door Size

Most patio doors are 80 inches tall, or roughly 6 1/2 feet, but you can buy them in a range of widths. Since a wider door means more materials, hardware, and glass panels, you’ll pay more. Here’s an idea of the pricing to expect based on door size.

Cost by Brand

Brands vary their prices based on manufacturing processes, material quality, performance testing, reputation, and other factors that set their products apart. For the best idea of what your sliding patio door could cost, we suggest narrowing your choices down to three or four brands and calling or going online to get quotes.

Here’s a quick description of the top patio door brands in the industry.

• Andersen: is a well-known, respected window and door company that’s been in business for over a century. It offers an array of patio doors that can be customized with wood, glass, color, hardware, grilles, sidelight, and transom selections.
• Marvin: sells innovative doors, windows, and skylights. Customers can select one of the company’s signature sliding doors or design their own.
• Milgard: offers an array of sliding patio doors that can be customized to your personal style. The company’s doors are available in fiberglass, aluminum, and vinyl. You can add optional features such as SmartTouch handles and thermally improved insulating abilities.
• MP Doors: emphasizes high-quality work and craftsmanship across its many fiberglass products. All of the company’s doors meet Energy Star efficiency standards and include Hydroshield Protection to safeguard against water infiltration.
• Pella: is one of the most recognized window and door brands. The company offers sliding doors for any home style, including vinyl, fiberglass, and wood doors in both contemporary and traditional looks.
• Teza: offers customizable, secure, and low-maintenance doors with timeless designs.

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Should You Repair vs. Replacement Your Sliding Patio Door?

Homeowners with damaged sliding patio doors must decide between repairing their sliding door and replacement. Repairs often cost a fraction of replacing the whole frame, but it may be better to get a full replacement if the damage prevents your door from being sufficiently secure or energy-efficient. Keep in mind that if you choose door replacement, you’ll need to remove your old one before getting a new patio door. Door removal usually costs $100–$150.

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Can You Install a Sliding Patio Door Yourself?

Though you can install a sliding patio door yourself, the job requires more than basic home improvement skills. Though it could save you money, the job will take longer than with a professional, and if you do the job incorrectly, it’ll likely cost you more money to fix issues in the long run.

Professional installers can remove your old door, haul it away, and install your new product in one day. Do-it-yourself (DIY) installation of a sliding glass door will likely take you several days. The total time frame depends on how much help you have and whether you need to paint and accessorize the door after installation.

Professional Sliding Patio Door Installation

Professionals also have needed equipment such as leakproof flashing, shims, jambs, support blocks, filler strips, sill pans, and PVC cement. Plus, they have the strength and skill needed to lift the doors, which can weigh up to 100 pounds. Your installer’s fee will depend on your location and the professional’s credentials and experience, but most charge $65–$85 per hour. Expect the project to take several hours, including removing your old door.

DIY Sliding Patio Door Installation

Serious DIYers can save several hundred dollars by installing their own sliding patio doors. However, you may need to buy new tools or extra hardware that reduces these savings. DIYers will most likely take longer than professionals to get the job done, and any mistakes won’t be backed by a warranty.

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Is the Cost of a Sliding Patio Door Worth It?

In many cases, installing a sliding patio door can be worth the cost for the added value of natural light, better outside visibility, and for being kid and pet-friendly. Sliding glass door costs depend on your chosen material, size, type, features, and brand. Professional installation increases your labor costs but guarantees lasting work.

We recommend investing in Energy Star-rated doors to ensure the energy performance of your doors and to keep your electric bill from rising unnecessarily. Choosing an ENERGY STAR certified product allows you to claim a rebate of up to $250 on your federal taxes.

Consider whether other features, such as storm protection, are worth investing in. To keep your total cost as low as possible, only invest in features that provide the protection and energy performance you need. Compromise on features that only pertain to appearance to stay within your budget.

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FAQs About Installing Sliding Patio Doors

How much does a standard-size sliding door cost?

Installing a sliding patio door can cost anywhere from $2,000–$4,000 on average. The total price depends on the door’s size, material, glass type, and brand.

Do sliding glass doors add to your home’s value?

A high-end, well-installed sliding glass door should increase your home value, though by how much depends on your location and the door’s style and functionality.

Are sliding patio doors expensive?

Sliding patio doors are often expensive. It may not look like it, but patio doors require a lot of materials to construct. They also come with energy-saving features such as low-e glass coatings and gas insulation that prevent air leakage and heat transfer to keep your energy bill from going up.

Can you replace a patio door without replacing the frame?

Yes, you can get a new sliding patio door without replacing the door frame if both the existing door and the frame are in good condition. Most homeowners choose to replace their frames only if they’re old or damaged. However, if you have an aluminum frame and select a heavy glass door, you may need to replace the whole thing with a steel frame. This will best accommodate the weight of your new, heavier sliding patio door.

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