By Timothy Dale and Jasmine Harding | Updated May 12, 2023 12:17 PM
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Patios, decks, backyards, and balconies are great spaces to enjoy the outdoors. And easy-to-use patio doors are ideal for accessing these relaxation areas while keeping home interiors secure against the elements, pests, and break-in attempts. Patio doors come in several different types, sizes, materials, and even color options, so there’s an option to suit almost all needs and preferences.
The best patio doors will be a perfect fit in the door frame to protect from inclement weather and keep out the likes of mice and insects. Impact-resistant glass is also a smart security measure for sliding glass doors, while energy-efficient materials help insulate the home to keep down utility bills. Use this guide to learn what other factors and features to consider when shopping for an energy-efficient solution, and review this list of top products considered to be among the best patio doors available now.
Selecting a list of the top patio doors requires extensive research into a pool of potential products from various brands, manufacturers, and sellers. Given the cost and installation process typically involved with buying and setting up new patio doors, many companies provide breakdowns of the product specifications but omit the actual price of the product; there can be some fluctuation in materials and installation time depending on the location.
With this in mind, it was important to find products that could be purchased independently for DIYers who wanted to take on the task without hiring professionals. During this process, it was also necessary to consider and compare several key product factors, including the type, material, and energy efficiency.
French doors and sliding doors were the most common options, but for those willing to pay a much higher price, there was also a small selection of bifold doors. Aluminum and steel doors tended to be more durable and resistant over time, though these materials are not as energy efficient as wood, vinyl, or fiberglass.
The patio doors described below feature durable construction and good design in a range of types. Whether for a new build or for replacing an old sliding glass door, these picks are considered among the best patio doors in several categories to meet the needs of many homes.
This MP Doors product is a good option for those who prefer hinged patio doors instead of a sliding set. Each door has two panes of glass that form an insulating air pocket to help reduce heat transmission between the indoors and outdoors. The panes are held in place by the lightweight durable fiberglass-and-composite frame that comes in a neutral white color. The frame can be painted to match the home’s aesthetic; just make sure to invest in a paint that is rated for exterior use.
These French doors are resistant to moisture, corrosion, and temperature fluctuations. They are Energy Star certified in all zones nationwide (North Central, Northern, South Central, and Southern zones). While the handle and lock are on the left-hand side, right-handed options are available. Measure the opening for the doors, then choose the best size between 60-inch-wide by 80-inch-tall and 72-inch-wide by 80-inch-tall doors.
Get the MP Doors fiberglass patio door at The Home Depot.
While replacing a patio door isn’t exactly a cheap renovation, affordable options are available for completing this project on a budget. Our top economical pick is the Pella 150 Series vinyl sliding door, which is attractive, energy efficient, and very reasonably priced. This reversible sliding door is made using the brand’s exclusive high-grade vinyl. It’s durable, long lasting, and fade-resistant, which means it will retain its look without needing to be painted or refinished. The welding process also helps this affordable door resist warping or twisting over time.
Thanks to its dual pane and low-e insulating glass, this door is Energy Star certified in most zones across the United States (North Central, South Central, and Southern zones). To suit many homes, this door comes in two common sizes: 60 inches wide by 80 inches tall or 72 inches wide by 80 inches tall.
Get the Pella patio door at Lowe’s.
Those in the market for patio doors with a built-in privacy element may wish to move up to this Andersen product. The set includes one fixed door and one sliding door with a wood frame wrapped with Andersen’s vinyl cladding system, which creates a sturdy yet low-maintenance door. Each door is constructed with two panes of glass to create an insulating air pocket between the panes. Inside the air pocket are built-in privacy blinds that can’t become tangled and never need dusting. The blinds operate via the slider mechanism located on each door.
The sliding patio door opens to the right-hand side, though left-handed options are available. It measures 70.5 inches wide by 79.5 inches high and comes with a simple door latch lock located right above the handle.
Get the Andersen patio door at The Home Depot or Andersen Windows.
Sliding doors tend to be more durable than French doors, and these are a particularly solid choice. They’re made with lightweight, durable composite material that’s resistant to rain, sleet, snow, dirt, dust, wind, and pests. Composite is also energy efficient, helping to reduce heating and cooling costs.
These doors come in 60-inch-wide by 80-inch-tall and 72-inch-wide by 80-inch-tall sizes and are available with a left- or right-handed design. They each feature two panes of insulating glass with an air pocket between to slow the transfer of heat through the door. This air gap also contains built-in blinds that can be raised, lowered, and tilted with ease and are not vulnerable to tangles, dirt, or damage.
Get the MP Doors left-hand patio door at The Home Depot.
French doors are a popular patio door pick, and this model from Jeld-Wen provides the attractive look of wood without all the extra maintenance. This door is made from fiberglass, a resilient and low-maintenance material, and while it mimics the look of painted wood, it resists the warping, rotting, and splitting real wood is prone to.
This door is primed and ready to paint, so you can choose any color and apply it with ease. Like many other high-quality patio doors, this one features low-e glass and includes weatherstripping for improved energy efficiency. It’s Energy Star certified for the Northern zone, so it’s a great pick for cold climates. Measuring 72 inches wide by 80 inches tall, this door is available in a left-hand or right-hand inswing configuration.
Get the Jeld-Wen fiberglass patio door at Lowe’s.
These hinged patio doors by Jeld-Wen each have a five-by-three grid of energy-efficient dual-layer low-e glass window panes to help insulate the home. They’re Energy Star certified in all zones (North Central, Northern, South Central, and Southern), so they’re an efficient pick for almost any home. The glass panes sit in the center of the durable and rust-resistant galvanized steel doors, which come in a neutral white color and can be painted. The doors are prehung on a wooden door frame that has been chemically treated for improved weather resistance.
These French patio doors have a left-hand inswing that’s ideal for left-handed individuals. There are holes to install a handle and lock on the left-hand door, making it easier to operate the door with the left hand. The doors measure 72 inches wide by 80 inches high, but only the left door opens. The right door remains stationary, similar to the stationary panel on a standard sliding door.
Get the Jeld-Wen steel patio door at The Home Depot.
Best Bifold7 Eris 96-by-80-Inch Outswing Aluminum BiFold Door Photo: homedepot.com SEE IT Indoor-outdoor living can be easier with the Eris outswing aluminum door, a bifold that looks great and moves smoothly. This large door measures 96 inches wide by 80 inches tall, but Eris does manufacture bifold doors ranging in size from 72 inches wide by 80 inches tall to 192 inches wide by 96 inches tall. This wide size range should suit almost all large patio openings. What’s more, the door is bottom hung, which means it rolls along the bottom track and not the top, making it easier to install than a top-hung door. The doors feature a moisture- and rust-resistant aluminum frame and dual-pane glass. You can open up the entire three panels or keep two panels locked and use the last panel independently as a hinged door. These doors boast a simply elegant look with their black frame and large glass panes. Product SpecsType: BifoldMaterial: AluminumDimensions: Sizes range from 72 inches wide by 80 inches tall to 192 inches wide by 96 inches tall ProsIn addition to bifold use, 1 panel can be used independently as a hinged doorThe door is bottom hung for easier installation than top-hung modelsNarrow framing and large size allow for maximized window space ConsVery expensive, especially the larger sizes Get the Eris patio door at The Home Depot or Eris Home Products.
Indoor-outdoor living can be easier with the Eris outswing aluminum door, a bifold that looks great and moves smoothly. This large door measures 96 inches wide by 80 inches tall, but Eris does manufacture bifold doors ranging in size from 72 inches wide by 80 inches tall to 192 inches wide by 96 inches tall. This wide size range should suit almost all large patio openings. What’s more, the door is bottom hung, which means it rolls along the bottom track and not the top, making it easier to install than a top-hung door.
The doors feature a moisture- and rust-resistant aluminum frame and dual-pane glass. You can open up the entire three panels or keep two panels locked and use the last panel independently as a hinged door. These doors boast a simply elegant look with their black frame and large glass panes.
Get the Eris patio door at The Home Depot or Eris Home Products.
When searching for hinged patio doors, French patio doors, or simple swinging doors for your home, keep in mind door type, size, and material—all factors that can affect energy efficiency, security, and installation procedure.
The two most popular glass patio door types are sliding doors and French doors. Though less common, there are multislide and bifold options as well. They differ in the way they open and close as well as in the size of the opening they provide.
Although most patio door manufacturers typically make patio doors with glass panes, the surrounding frame may be made of different materials, including wood, vinyl, aluminum, steel, and fiberglass.
The energy efficiency of patio doors refers to their ability to prevent the transfer of heat through the material or around the door and through the frame. High-efficiency products have very little heat transfer, so an air-conditioned home will remain cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Low-efficiency products, like aluminum patio doors, can increase the cost of the heating and cooling bills.
Solid wood is more energy efficient than metal because it’s a better insulator. While glass can be susceptible to heat transfer, many glass doors have two panes of glass in one frame. This creates an air cushion (and some also have a gas fill) that helps to slow heat transfer and insulate the door. Another feature to look for is a low-e coating, which helps reflect light and maintain interior temperature.
Look for the Energy Star logo on products to indicate high efficiency. Energy Star certification is based on climate zones, which include the Northern, North Central, South Central, and Southern zones.
Weatherstripping is an integral part of exterior doors of all types, even car doors. These strips run along the edges of the door frame so that when the door is closed, it allows the weatherstripping to form a seal, which blocks airflow, moisture, dust, dirt, and pests.
Sliding patio doors use a particular type of weatherstripping. These doors have a solid frame that they slide into, so thin pieces of weatherstripping are applied to the inside of the frame. When the door closes, it slides between two thin pieces of weatherstripping for a tight seal.
To keep the home secure, the best patio doors include one or more built-in locking systems.
The color and finish of the door are largely subjective decisions based on personal decor preferences. The color of the door should either stand out from the home as a focal point or match it to seamlessly blend in. A popular choice is to match the color of the door to the nearby windows and window frames for cohesion. Keep in mind that as exterior doors, patio doors are likely to get dirty, so consider a color and finish that are easy to clean. What’s more, some doors have decorative accessories, like built-in blinds between the glass panes to offer privacy and block light.
The first thing to do before looking for a new patio door is to measure the old door. Take measurements of the width and height of the door, and then take measurements of the door frame. If installing a new sliding door, also measure the rough opening of the doorway to find a frame that can be fitted to the studs.
Common patio door sizes include:
Tip: Door width and height measurements are rounded up. For example, a door measurement of 71.5 inches wide by 79.25 inches tall should be rounded up to 72 inches wide by 80 inches tall. This practice is an industry standard for doors and should in no way be adopted for other projects.
The patio door installation process is particular to the type of door. French doors are hung by hinges on the door frame. They need to be measured to ensure that the doors will meet in the middle and remain securely closed. These doors also need to be supported from the bottom during installation to prevent their weight from tearing screws out of the frame before the entire door can be secured.
Sliding doors, multislide doors, and bifold patio doors are installed on two or more metal tracks. The tracks sit inside a frame that attaches to the rough opening of the doorway. Once the frame is attached to the doorway and the doors have been placed into the tracks, it’s necessary to seal the gap between the frame and the doorway studs with water- and temperature-resistant caulking to keep out dirt, moisture, and pests.
If you need a bit more information on shopping for and installing patio doors, have a look at the answers to these commonly asked questions.
When deciding on a patio door for your home, consider the size of the doorway, the type of door, and the installation requirements. Also consider extra accessories, such as included blinds or retractable screen doors. This will help you choose the best door for your home and skill set.
French doors are typically two hanging doors that are secured to opposite sides of a large doorway and close together in the center. Each door is supported by two to three hinges that connect to the door frame. These doors are typically made of wood, vinyl, or fiberglass with several glass panes to see through and allow more light into the home.
Sliding patio doors sit in a full frame with two sets of tracks on the top and bottom of the frame. These doors slide on the track to open or close and are typically made of glass with steel, aluminum, vinyl, or wood frames.
French doors and other hanging patio doors can be installed on hinges on either side of the doorway. Proper measurements must be taken to ensure that the doors meet exactly at the center of the doorway. The doors should also be supported during installation to prevent the weight of the door from pulling the screws out of the frame before the door is completely secured. Consider installing a screen door or a tearaway magnetic screen door to keep insects out while the doors are open.
Sliding patio doors and multislide doors require installation of a frame including two (or more for multislide doors) sets of tracks on the top and the bottom. The sides of the frame are secured to the studs before the sliding doors can be slotted into the tracks. When the frame and doors are in, seal the gaps between the frame and wall with caulking to protect against water, air, and pests.
Protect your patio doors from allowing access to burglars by using a standard lock. Blocking bars and shatterproof film can be a good option for glass patio doors to prevent entry by breaking the glass. Monitored alarm systems, including door and window alarms, are another great way to protect your home and notify you of break-in attempts.
Bob Vila has been America’s Handyman since 1979. As the host of beloved and groundbreaking TV series including “This Old House” and “Bob Vila’s Home Again,” he popularized and became synonymous with “do-it-yourself” home improvement.
Over the course of his decades-long career, Bob Vila has helped millions of people build, renovate, repair, and live better each day—a tradition that continues today with expert yet accessible home advice. The Bob Vila team distills need-to-know information into project tutorials, maintenance guides, tool 101s, and more. These home and garden experts then thoroughly research, vet, and recommend products that support homeowners, renters, DIYers, and professionals in their to-do lists.
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