Other alternatives are made of a polyurethane foam insulation core - offering six times the wood 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 doors the conduction of heat or cold.) entry 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 wood gas filling provides greater insulation. Some manufacturers let you specify the glazing you want when you order. Where sun-caused fading or damage can doors 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.

Other alternatives are made of a polyurethane foam insulation core - offering six times the wood 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 doors the conduction of heat or cold.) entry 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 wood gas filling provides greater insulation. Some manufacturers let you specify the glazing you want when you order. Where sun-caused fading or damage can doors 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.

Three Attractive Options Fiber-Classic combined the strength of steel with a wood-grain finish that could be stained or painted. Carrying a lifetime limited warranty, the product was well-received and continues to be a strong favorite among builders. In fact, more than 37% of builder respondents a study said they had used the Fiber-Classic during the past year. That usage rating is higher than the rating for any other brand of door on the market. Classic-Craft: As the market embraced the new technology, homeowners began asking for a door that projected even more of the handcrafted look of a high-end wood door but still with fiberglass. Therma-Tru responded with the Classic-Craft, a premium product duplicating the rich grain of a solid-core red-oak door but without any shrinking, splitting or warping inherent in conventional wood doors. Also backed by a lifetime limited warranty, the new line emulated the best aspects of wood. Like its predecessor, the Fiber-Classic, the new Classic-craft has built a strong following among builders during the past seven years: 36% of respondents entry to the BRAND STUDY have used the Classic-craft wood and doors within the past year.