Other alternatives are made of a polyurethane foam insulation core - offering six times the energy efficiency of wood - faced on both sides with vinyl or aluminum. These typically cost for a 6-foot-wide door. All well-made nonwood doors are designed with thermal breaks (separations between indoor and outdoor surfaces that block the conduction of heat or cold.) Glazing options Of course, the largest part of a glass sliding door is glass. To make a door truly energy efficient, high-performance glazing is key. Fortunately, this is standard with most high-quality sliders. You''ll find double-paned glass with low-E (low energy) coating and, in some cases, argon gas filling. Low-E reduces heat transfer and protects against ultraviolet damage; argon gas filling provides greater insulation. Some manufacturers let you specify the glazing you want when you order. Where sun-caused fading or damage can e a serious problem, you may want to opt for glass with a solar bronze or solar gray tint to reject ultraviolet rays. In addition, some companies offer decorative stained or beveled glass with true brass caming (leading). For bathrooms or other places where privacy is a concern, obscure glass is available.

Divided lites You can purchase true divided-lite (the industry term for multiple larsenexteriordoor panes) doors from some manufacturers. Many doormakers offer snap-in, false muntins that do a fair job of mimicking the look larsenexteriordoor of divided lites but are much less expensive and make glass easier to clean. Sliders that more closely resemble divided-lite doors have both snap-in grilles and matching false muntins sandwiched between the two panes of insulating glass. A pair of 6-foot-wide doors like these costs about. Another option is a miniblind or pleated shade encased between the two panes of insulated glass; the interior glass panel is removable so the binds can be easily cleaned. Listing at about, these are pricey, but they save the cost of window coverings.

Perhaps no single architectural feature is more emblematic of Western living than the glass sliding door. For more than 50 years, sliding glass doors have opened our homes to generous natural light and views, simultaneously giving us easy connections with decks, patios, and gardens. Contemporary sliding, or gliding, doors have come a long way since yesteryear''s aluminum sliders, infamous for their stark appearance, sweating frames, and cold glazing. Today, a new generation of high-quality models offers energy efficiency, durability, safety, and contemporary style. Size and style Sliding doors come in a variety of sizes. In addition to the standard 6-foot, 8-inch height, they''re made 6 feet, 11 inches tall or even 8 feet tall. You can also buy three- or four-door-wide larsenexteriordoor configurations that are as wide as 16 feet. And sliders are made with one fixed panel and one sliding panel, or with both panels sliding. Most manufacturers extend your design options by providing matching rectangular and roundhead transom windows. Some large manufacturers offer several sliding-door lines with a range of prices. You''ll find doors that have wide rails and stiles (horizontal and vertical framing elements) like French doors, and doors with thinner rails and stiles that maximize glazing.

©2003 www.fiber-craft-door.com All rights reserved.