Choosing the Best Material for Your Patio Doors

Your patio door is an integral part of your patio. Patio doors can be made with various materials, such as wood, steel, aluminum, vinyl, and fiberglass. Different materials affect more than aesthetics; they also affect functionality, security, durability, and energy efficiency. Knowing each patio door material's pros, cons, and purposes is crucial for making the decision. Let’s break down each material and learn about its characteristics and most suitable implementations.

1. Wood Patio Doors

When it comes to classic elegance, you can’t get much better than wood patio doors. Wood doors come in distinctive finishes and lend a touch of traditional grace to your exterior.

The downside, though, is that you’re going to pay more for all of these perks. Wood patio doors tend to cost significantly more up front than other materials. They can also be less energy-efficient, which can boost your heating and cooling bills. You may also find yourself doing significantly more upkeep. Because it’s a natural material, your wood doors will be especially vulnerable to weather. Moisture can warp wood-based patio doors, and extended exposure to sunlight and heat can cause the wood to fade.

However, you can usually repair your wood doors with relative ease. Stains and superficial scratches can generally be taken care of with just a bit of sanding and refinishing.

Best for: Historic homes in a relatively dry climate

2. Vinyl Patio Doors

Like Muzak in an elevator, you can’t escape vinyl in home materials these days. But, unlike Muzak, it’s not hard to understand why vinyl is such a popular choice among homeowners. Regarding affordability, durability, and energy efficiency, you pretty much can’t beat a vinyl patio door. These well-rounded doors can withstand the most punishing weather conditions without flaking, peeling, or rusting.

And they look good, too. Vinyl doors come in a seemingly endless variety of styles, meaning you probably won’t have trouble finding that lovely vinyl door that perfectly matches your home’s trim.

But don’t break out the ticker tape just yet. Vinyl doors do have their shortcomings. First, extreme temperature shifts can potentially cause cracks in the vinyl. Second, vinyl can be more flammable than some other patio door materials. Still, these issues are relatively minor compared to the benefits of this patio door material.

Best for: Homes in areas without major temperature fluctuations

3. Fiberglass Patio Doors

When you envision a patio door, fiberglass likely does not leap to the front of your mind. However, fiberglass offers a lot of advantages over other materials. They can be manufactured to be virtually indistinguishable from traditional wood doors, but without the headaches.

Fiberglass doors require very little maintenance, and they’re superstars for withstanding harsh weather conditions without warping, rotting, or deteriorating. You’ll also save on heating and cooling bills due to their high energy efficiency.

Best for: Homes in areas with inclement weather conditions; those who want a like-wood look at below-wood pricing

4. Steel Patio Doors

If sturdiness with style sounds more your speed, then you might consider steel for your patio doors. True, they may not have quite the old-world charm of wood doors, but they can withstand even the most brutal of weather conditions. No matter what Mother Nature throws at them, they won’t bow or warp like wood doors. Another perk of steel doors is that they cost less and are easier to maintain than wood. And steel doors also insulate better than wood.

On the downside, though, steel doors can rust if they get scratched, or dented, or if protective layers of paint peel off. Because metal conducts heat, these doors can get very hot or cold, depending on the weather, and even painted material can remain uncomfortably hot or cold to the touch.

If you can’t decide between wood or steel, consider clad-wood patio doors. These wooden doors have a layer of metal on their exterior. Clad-wood patio doors are expensive, but they provide the aesthetics of wood doors with the minimal upkeep of metal.

Best for: Non-sliding patio doors in areas with moderate temperatures throughout the year

5. Aluminum Patio Doors

Aluminum patio doors have many of the same perks that steel does. They can withstand the elements and require minimal upkeep. Aluminum patio doors, however, are even lighter than their steel counterparts. Like steel, aluminum doors won’t blow your remodeling budget. They’re usually reasonably priced and relatively energy-efficient.

There are some drawbacks to aluminum doors, however. Aluminum doors have many of the same issues as steel, but worse. Since these doors are lighter than steel patio doors, they accumulate dents more easily. And, although aluminum doors resist corrosion, scratches, and dents, breakdowns in the protective layers can cause big problems.

Best for: Homes in areas with lower risks of physical damage caused by hail or broken tree limbs from storms.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Patio Door Material 

When choosing the best materials for your patio doors, there are additional factors to remember. For instance, you’ll want to consider the style of door you prefer. Do you want gliding or French doors, for example? And what kind of conditions will your doors be exposed to? A covered patio, for instance, will likely be less punishing for your patio doors than an uncovered one.

Energy Efficiency 

No matter what kind of patio doors you’re considering, you’ll want to consider energy efficiency. Metal, fiberglass, and vinyl doors are more energy-efficient than wood. Still, even modern wood patio doors offer better insulation and allow less heat transfer than older, draftier models.

How your patio doors are installed can also affect their energy efficiency. It may be worth the cost of exterior door installation by a local door installer to ensure your new patio door is installed and sealed properly to deter drafts or heat loss.

Maintenance

Once they’re installed, you’ll want to make sure yourpatio doors last as long as possible. Maintenance will vary by material type; metal, vinyl, and fiberglass doors can be difficult to repair when damaged, often needing to be replaced, resulting in new door installation costs. Wood doors often need to be sanded or filled and repainted or stained after dings, dents, or scratches.

When it comes to regular cleaning, though, vinyl and fiberglass require the least effort, as they can be cleaned with soap and water and left to air dry. Metal doors can also be cleaned with mild soap and water, but you need to take care not to allow rust spots to develop. Wood patio doors require special wood cleaner and protection from moisture, so you’ll put the most work into regular cleaning of these types of doors. 

Durability

Durability is another core concern when choosing the best material for your patio door. Know the temperature changes, storm severity, and weather conditions throughout the year and choose the material that is the most resistant to your climate.

Cost

Finally, your budget will always influence what patio door material you can use. Wood and steel are two of the most expensive materials, whereas fiberglass and aluminum are slightly affordable. Vinyl would be the most cost-effective material. Also, remember to factor in the maintenance cost since different materials have different maintenance requirements.