FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In
Design

A Look Through Patio Doors

Sliding or hinged, big panes or multilite, these glass doors should be built to withstand the elements as well as years of abuse.

By Charles Bickford Issue 133

Synopsis: This detailed article looks at the features distinguishing different types of patio doors. The author covers a variety of materials, including vinyl and aluminum cladding, extruded vinyl, fiberglass composite, and solid-wood veneer. The article also covers other features, from sill designs and locks to adjustable hinges and glass options, that should be weighed before buying a door.

It’s always a trade-off, isn’t it? You want light in the house, so you cut a hole in the wall: Now the floor gets wet when it rains, so you cover the hole with glass. A little cross ventilation might be nice, so you figure out a way to open and close the glass. Now the glass leaks again. Just wait until you try to make the window into a big door.

Forty years ago, when oil was cheap and we didn’t know better, patio doors were novelties, just big sliding windows that often leaked or came apart after a few years. There are better products available these days, and patio doors are a hot item (Andersen Windows alone made nearly 150,000 sliders last year). But with every window shop getting into the act, it’s hard to tell the diamonds from the zircons. To find out what’s going on, I talked with carpenters, architects, manufacturers and designers about these big walk-out windows.

More than 100 companies make patio doors, and they all offer a wide variety of materials, styles and options. The number of permutations is exponential, but here are the basics.

The door buyer’s menu is divided into two basic choices: either hinged doors or sliding doors. Hinged doors include French doors (a matched pair of hinged, operating panels that traditionally have divided lites) and patio doors (one hinged door that has been paired with a fixed panel). Hinged doors offer a traditional design; French doors open a larger area and are available as in-swing or out-swing designs. Hinged doors are also more expensive, more difficult to install and often require adjustment.

Sliding doors usually consist of one fixed panel and one operating panel that rolls on a track. Sliders don’t take up any room when they open, are less expensive and are easy to screen. Unfortunately, they don’t seal as well as hinged doors.

Hardware keeps the doors straight and tight

If you’re thinking about security, worrying about the lock on a door that’s mostly glass might be a little silly, but locks also help to keep the door tight against air infiltration. For sealing purposes, hinged patio and French doors need to be secured to the jamb in more than one spot. Multipoint locks engage in at least three places, and they not only fortify the door but also minimize warping stiles by pinning the door to the jamb. Some multipoint locks consist of shoot bolts that go up into the head jamb and down into the sill; other varieties operate horizontally above and below the lockset; and some locks offer a combination of both. Marvin and Kolbe & Kolbe offer a feature that prevents the lock from engaging until the door is shut; it’s all too common to engage the door handle and to try to shut the door with the lock pins protruding, which then puts big dings in the door trim.

For more photos and details, click the View PDF button below:

Fine Homebuilding Recommended Products

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Not So Big House

This book earned author Sarah Susanka a reputation as a small house guru, yet, that wasn’t exactly her goal. This book isn’t about building a small house, it’s about building a smart house, one that matches how we live, and prioritizing beauty and comfort over size.
Buy at Amazon

N95 Respirator

PPE is a must, especially when cutting and sanding. We recommend you always have a box of respirator masks on the job site.
Buy at Amazon

The New Carbon Architecture: Building to Cool the Climate

With this book, architect Bruce King changes the conversation around what it means to build a green home. Take everything you thought you knew about the topic, and just set it aside and let Bruce explain why embodied carbon trumps the rest of what is undoubtedly important.
Buy at Amazon

Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters
×

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters
View PDF

New Feature

Fine Homebuilding Forums

Ask questions, offer advice, and share your work

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Fight House Fires Through Design

Smart construction decisions and material choices can significantly improve occupant safety and survival in the event of a fire in the home.

Featured Video

SawStop's Portable Tablesaw is Bigger and Better Than Before

The 10-in. Jobsite Saw PRO has a wider table, a new dust-control port, and a more versatile fence, along with the same reliable safety mechanism included in all SawStop tablesaws.

Related Stories

  • FHB Podcast Segment: Can You Have Too Many Minisplits?
  • A Practical Perfect Wall
  • Smarter Stop Block
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Finding Hazardous Materials in a Fixer-Upper

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Video

View All Videos
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Sometimes Spray Foam Makes Sense, Sometimes It Doesn't
  • How to Space and Install Pergola Rafters
  • How to Lay Out Post Bases for a Pergola
  • Angle Bracing for a Pergola
View All

Doors

View All Doors Articles
  • Big Doors Have Big Challenges
  • Stop the Slam
  • Sand Smooth Contours
  • DIY Refinishing of Victorian Doors
View All Doors Articles

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2025
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in