Sliding, multi-slide or French: choosing a patio door

A patio door is the one opening in your home you use more than any other. The right choice depends on how wide you want the opening, how much wall space you have and how you move between inside and out.

Two-panel sliding doors

The classic choice. One panel slides past a fixed panel, so you get a clear opening of about half the door width. Sliders fit most standard openings, need no swing space and are the simplest to install.

Multi-slide stacking doors

Three or more panels stack behind one another to open most of the wall. They suit wide openings between a living room and a covered patio, and they pair well with a louvered pergola or patio cover outside.

• Measure the rough opening, not the old door, before you choose a size.
• Check the floor is level along the whole track; multi-slide doors are less forgiving.
• Plan where panels will stack so furniture does not block them.

Glass and frames

Aluminum frames stay slim and strong, so more of the door is glass. Ask about insulated, low-E glass if the door faces south or west; it cuts heat gain without tinting the view.

Replacing an exterior door can need a building permit and may affect your wall framing. See our install and permits guide before you start.

Compare sizes and finishes in sliding glass doors, or ask for a custom quote for openings wider than our standard sizes.