Have a sliding glass door in the kitchen which is letting in cold air causing a chilly kitchen. The original was a builders grade which is 18 years old. I want to replace the sliders with a new set and am looking for advice on which companies make the best sliding doors. Thanks for your help
Pella Peachtree Anderson Could be others that are very good too.
If you want quality, go to the dealers, not Home Depot. I bought a Pella from a local Pella dealer and he had models that HD, across the street, did not carry.
To replace with a new brand you will have to replace the tracts also, IOW, total removal and replace. Why not do it right and put in real doors? Sliders are an abortion that should be banned by the code. At best they do not seal as well as normal doors and they are a maintenance problem.
When I put on an addition the wife insisted that it have a sliding door. I tried to change here mind but...so slider it was. Quality Anderson door, and it wasn't but a couple years before she agreed with me. Still stuck with it and still fighting the maintenance.
Harry Still stuck with it and still fighting the maintenance K
Harry K
What maintenance? My old cheap door was a PITA, but the Pella that has been in for about 12 years now is a well built 8' slider that gives us a nice view into the woods. It has needs no maintenance at all, aside form normal washing of the glass.
Sorry you had a bad experience, but I'd put another slider in tomorrow. We love it, even in the very cold weather so we can watch the snow while keeping warm.
I love my Pella too! They are top notch!
I have a Pella door that is 20 years old Wood with metal clad on thee outside and works as well as the day we put it in. I hate their windows (triple glazed PITA ) but the door is great. Look at the varieties of glass, Reflective , Low E, the thickness available, look at the maintenance down the road , How are the rollers made , Is the frame 2" wide or 4" How are the corners joined? Stay away from a aluminum frames (different from wood clad) because of conducting the cold One big consideration is the threshold thin and flimsy or of substantial strength Look how the door seals interlock when closed. As a former Handyman home repairman with 30yrs ex I will repeat what a friend once told me
IF YOU GOT A TEN DOLLAR HEAD BUY A TEN DOLLAR HELMET
You get what you pay for A quality installation is the key in many cases to the end results. Good caulking ,properly installed flashing , after putting the door in seal around the outside flange with foil tape before butting the siding back on . If you use expanding foam brace the door first so the foam don't bow it. Use minimal expanding foam.Use a 6' level not a 4' if you are installing doors . (I used a 6' with a electronic level against the side) Just to add a little humor I recently helps a friend install his door. Special order low E glass He took the inside glass retainer off after I left (He found his misplaced hardware bolts) and while was leaning it against the wall the door fell forward to the floor. The air cushion between the door and floor kept it from shattering. He had just moved all his tools out of the way preparing to put them away. Good reason to work area clean.
I don't think any of them are worth a darn. I don't care if they are cheap or expensive. Put in a door with hinges.
| | Pella - WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE | Peachtree - TOP NOTCH DOOR | Anderson - REPAIR THEM EVERY YEAR
| Could be others that are very good too.
"ATRIUM" IS THE BEST
The person didn't ask whether to replace sliders with hinged doors. Some layouts and designs make sliders the option of choice.
I put in Aetrium sliders from HD. If you can get away with using white, they have the in-stock ones for under $600. I ordered mine because I wanted sandtone, for about $800 (6 foot). I have 3 of them and they were considerably cheaper than the Andersons ($1200-1500).
Good luck
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