Six things set a sliding patio door’s price: size, panels, frame material, glass, rails and hardware, and the condition of the opening. We do not publish door prices, because those six things change from house to house. Your price comes from the free in-home quote, in writing.
A number posted online would be a guess about your opening, your glass and your hardware. We would rather measure once and give you a price that holds.
Here is what each driver means, with real examples from the Harvey and Gentek doors we install. You can see the lineup on our sliding patio doors page.
Size And Panel Count
More door means more glass, more frame and more weight to handle. Gentek’s 5100 sliding door comes as a two-panel door in 5, 6 and 8 foot widths. A three-panel version is 9 feet wide. Its standard height is 79-1/2 inches, and custom sizes are available.
Gentek’s Sanctuary collection comes in two, three and four panel layouts. Harvey’s Majesty gliding door comes in 2, 3 and 4-lite designs, and Harvey builds its vinyl door in standard and custom sizes. Whether your opening fits a standard size or needs a custom one is one of the first things we check at the measure.
Frame Material: Vinyl Or Clad Wood
We install Harvey vinyl doors, Harvey Majesty clad gliders and every Gentek sliding door. They are built differently, and the build is part of the price.
| Door | Frame | Panels Or Lites | Worth Knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvey Vinyl Patio Door | Multi-chambered vinyl, reinforced with heavy-duty aluminum, welded sash corners | Standard and custom sizes | Flush mount deadbolt standard on operating panels |
| Harvey Majesty Gliding | Solid pine interior, aluminum clad exterior | 2, 3 and 4-lite | Continuous fiberglass sill, adjustable ball bearing rollers, multipoint lock option |
| Gentek 5100 | Fusion-welded vinyl frame and sashes, metal-reinforced sashes | 2-lite at 5, 6 and 8 feet; 3-lite at 9 feet | Interior ventilation foot lock and keyed exterior lock |
| Gentek Sanctuary | Vinyl, in Contemporary, Classic and French styles | 2, 3 and 4 panel | 3-inch rails on Contemporary, 5-inch rails on Classic |
Vinyl and clad wood suit different houses. Harvey’s Majesty gives you real pine inside, with an aluminum exterior Harvey describes as low maintenance. If you want wood on the inside, ask us to price a Majesty next to a vinyl door so you can see the difference.
Majesty’s aluminum cladding comes in black, dark bronze, almond, white and forest green. Inside, you choose prefinished white or natural pine.
Exterior color is another lever. Harvey’s vinyl door comes in white or almond, with painted colors and a black laminate exterior offered. Gentek lists six exterior colors for Sanctuary, from white to black.
Glass Packages
A sliding door holds a lot of glass, so the glass package matters. Harvey explains that a Low-E coating reflects infrared light to slow heat transfer. Argon gas between the panes adds insulation, and a third pane adds another insulating pocket.
Each maker names its packages differently. Harvey’s Majesty doors offer ThermaGuard, SunGain and ThermaLock packages, including ThermaLock 3x. Gentek’s BarrierXP PriME combines three panes of glass, three Low-E surfaces and two argon-filled spaces.
To compare packages, look at the U-factor: Harvey’s rule is that the lower the number, the better the door insulates. Energy Star certifies doors by climate zone, so look for its label for your zone next to the NFRC label on the glass. Our guide to double pane vs triple pane explains the trade in more depth.
Blinds sealed between the glass are an upgrade worth knowing about. Harvey offers Blinds Between Glass for patio doors, and Gentek lists integrated mini blinds for Sanctuary.
Rails, Locks And Hardware
The setup most of our customers choose is Gentek’s 5-inch rail with a foot lock. Gentek pairs the 5-inch rails on its Classic style with heavy-duty construction, while the Contemporary style uses slimmer 3-inch rails.
On Gentek’s 5100, the interior ventilation foot lock permits limited opening, so the door can sit partly open for air. A keyed exterior lock lets you lock and unlock from outside.
Harvey’s vinyl door comes with a flush mount deadbolt on its operating panels. Harvey’s Majesty doors offer a single handle lock or a multipoint lock for extra security. Handle finishes, grids and decorative glass add more choices, and each upgrade adds to the price.
Smaller choices add up too:
- Screens. Harvey’s doors use an extruded aluminum screen frame with fiberglass mesh or its nearly invisible VIEWS mesh. Gentek’s 5100 screen has wheels adjustable at all four corners.
- Grids. Harvey offers 5/8-inch and 1-inch grids between the glass, or simulated divided lites. Gentek offers flat and contoured grid profiles.
- Decorative glass. Gentek offers V-grooved glass in patterns such as Colonial and Prairie.
Warranty terms differ by maker, too. Gentek backs the 5100 with a lifetime limited warranty, with standard exclusions. Ask us to walk you through the terms for any door you consider.
The Opening And The Install
Two identical doors can install very differently. When the framing and floor under an old slider are sound, the swap is simpler. When they are not, the repair becomes part of the job, and only an in-person look shows which you have.
Installation matters as much as the door. Energy Star tells homeowners to stick to the manufacturer’s instructions, which certified doors must come with or offer online. Details like Harvey’s continuous fiberglass sill, built to guard against water getting in, only do their job when the door is set right.
Before the measure, think about how you use the door. Which side should open? Do you want to leave it partly open for air? Do you need blinds for privacy? Those answers shape the quote.
Thinking about a hinged door instead? Harvey’s Majesty hinged patio door can swing in or out, with traditional French panels. See our French doors page, and note that we offer Andersen on request. If your front door is next on the list, our guide to fiberglass vs steel entry doors may help.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a sliding patio door cost?
We do not publish door prices, because size, panels, frame, glass and the condition of the opening all move the number. The free in-home quote gives you a written price for your exact door.
What is a foot lock on a patio door?
Gentek’s 5100 door has an interior ventilation foot lock that permits limited opening, so the door can stay partly open for air. Paired with Gentek’s 5-inch rail, it is the setup most of our customers choose.
Is a vinyl or clad wood patio door better?
Neither is right for every house. Harvey’s vinyl door and Gentek’s 5100 are welded and reinforced, while Harvey’s Majesty puts a solid pine interior behind an aluminum clad exterior. We can price both at your quote.
Which glass package should I choose?
Compare U-factors, since a lower U-factor means a better insulating door. A three-pane package such as Gentek’s BarrierXP PriME is an upgrade over standard dual-pane glass, and we can price both.
Do you install French doors too?
Yes. We install Harvey Majesty hinged doors, aluminum clad outside over pine inside, and Andersen on request. They are priced the same way, at the free in-home quote.
Every driver above shows up in one place: the free in-home quote. We measure the opening, talk through size, glass, rails and locks, and give you a written price with no pressure. Skip, Andrea or Gary reads every request and usually calls back within one business day, or call (603) 764-7212.
Sources
- Gentek 5100 Door
- Gentek Sanctuary Doors
- Harvey Gliding Doors
- Harvey Vinyl Patio Door
- Harvey Majesty Gliding
- Harvey Majesty Hinged
- Harvey: Efficiency And Performance
- ENERGY STAR Windows And Doors
Header photo courtesy of Gentek Building Products.
