Why People Love Vinyl

• It is Light: A 7-foot door is huge. If it is made of wood, it is heavy. In contrast, vinyl is hollow inside. It has honeycomb shapes inside the frame to make it strong but light. This makes it very easy to slide open, even for kids or older people.
• No Painting: You never have to paint vinyl. It comes in a color (usually white or tan) and stays that way. If it gets dirty, you just wipe it with soap and water. Learn more about low-maintenance living here.
• Water Proof: Rain, snow, and humidity do not hurt vinyl. It will not rot. Also, termites do not eat it. In a wet city like ours, this is a big plus.
• Energy Savings: Vinyl does not get cold like metal. The air pockets inside the frame act like a thermos bottle. They keep the heat inside your house. According to Energy.gov, installing energy-efficient windows and doors can lower energy bills significantly.

Why People Love Wood

• The Look: Nothing looks exactly like real wood grain. You can see the patterns in the wood. It matches hardwood floors and nice furniture. If you have custom trim, see our millwork services.
• Strength: Wood is solid. It feels heavy and sturdy when you close it. It makes a nice “thud” sound, not a hollow click.
• Custom Colors: You can paint or stain wood any color you want. If you change your room color in five years, you can sand the door and paint it to match. However, you cannot do that easily with vinyl.
• Natural Insulation: Wood is a natural insulator. It does not conduct cold. If you touch a wood door frame in winter, it does not feel icy.

But be careful: Wood needs love. You have to paint or seal it every few years. If you don’t, water will get in. The wood can swell up, making the door stick. Eventually, it can rot. See our guide on repairing wood rot.

1. Cost Over Time

Vinyl is cheaper to buy. It costs less to make. It is also cheaper to own because you don’t have to buy paint or stain. You just install it and forget it.

In contrast, wood costs more to buy. The material is expensive. It also costs more to own. You have to pay for paint, varnish, and maybe repairs if it rots. Check out our renovation cost guide to see how these fit into a bigger budget.

2. Security

Both doors can be safe. The lock is the most important part. Older sliding doors were easy to lift off the track. New doors have “anti-lift” blocks. You want a door with a multi-point lock. This means when you turn the handle, hooks grab the frame at the top and bottom. The Department of Justice recommends using auxiliary locks or a bar in the track for extra safety.

3. Glass Options

The glass is 80% of the door. Whether you pick wood or vinyl, make sure you get “Low-E” glass. This has a coating that reflects heat. In winter, it keeps heat in. In summer, it keeps heat out. Also, look for “Argon gas.” This is a safe gas put between the two panes of glass to stop cold air from moving through. The EPA also warns that if you are replacing very old doors, you need to be careful of lead paint on the old trim.

Maintenance Guide

1. 1. Clean the Track: Once a month, use your vacuum cleaner hose to suck up dirt from the bottom track. Dirt acts like sandpaper. It grinds down the wheels.
2. 2. Wipe the Seal: Use a wet rag to wipe the rubber or fuzzy seals. If they get full of dust, they won’t seal tight against the wind. Learn more about draft fixing here.
3. 3. Lubricate: Do NOT use oil or grease. They attract dirt and turn into black gunk. Use a silicone spray. Spray it on the track and wipe it clean. This makes the door glide.
4. 4. Adjust the Rollers: If the door drags, look for small holes at the bottom corners. Use a screwdriver to turn the screw inside. This lowers the wheels and lifts the door off the track.