In your home improvement shopping adventures, you’re sure to discover replacement doors and windows come in various options of framing materials, including the two most popular: vinyl and wood. You’ll also learn about the comparisons between the performance of the two. Here’s a point-by-point comparison of the benefits of wood vs. vinyl sliding glass doors. (Also, see our comparison of aluminum vs. vinyl window frames.)
Wood vs. Vinyl Sliding Glass Doors Comparison
Vinyl replacement sliding glass doors and windows offer significant advantages over wood and other framing materials. Here are the key areas of comparison to differentiate the benefits of wood from vinyl sliding doors:
Energy Efficiency Comparison
Wood is understood to be a building material with low energy efficiency. But, high-performance vinyl framing for windows and sliding glass doors is recognized as the world’s most energy-efficient material for this purpose. Of course, not all vinyl sliding doors are as good as the best sliding vinyl door. So, be sure you’re getting patio doors made with the most advanced engineering in vinyl exterior door frame assembly and the most energy-efficient glass.
Advanced Window Products vinyl sliding glass door frames are designed with an interior system of insulating containments that adds exceptional strength to the frame and boosts the door’s thermal performance. That means significant prevention of energy loss and greater comfort in your home with a vinyl door frame.
Home Comfort Comparison
As mentioned, wood has very poor insulative properties. By stark comparison, construction-grade vinyl is now used for over 70% of window frames due to its superior insulative properties and exceptional cost-effectiveness. Sliding glass doors with vinyl framing perform better than wood frames in slowing the transfer of heat through the frame, delivering superior performance as an insulator around the glass panels in sliding patio doors.
Aesthetic Appeal of Sliding Glass Door Types
Replacement vinyl windows have transformed over the past decades from plain utility window frame coverings. They’ve become today’s elegant, textured framing with the finest millwork appearance in a vast array of beautiful color options. The unique aesthetic features possible in a modern vinyl exterior door are due to technological advancements in the industry, including the development of new state-of-the-art processes for sculpting and coloration.
It is virtually impossible to see the difference between wood and high-quality vinyl molded with a wood-textured look. That’s a key reason why high-performance vinyl replacement sliding glass patio doors and residential windows have gained a major market share over the past two decades.
Comparative Maintenance Requirements
Wood rots and wooden sliding glass doors need the most frequent and intensive maintenance of any window or sliding glass door type. Vinyl replacement glass doors long outlast wood versions with minimal maintenance.
- Wood requires laborious maintenance and periodic repainting to preserve the finish and protect the door frame from relatively rapid deterioration. Wood door frame maintenance requires brushing the wood to get a clear examination for mold, cracks, and other symptoms of wear. Then the entire surface of the frames must be sanded, treated by wood filling deteriorated areas, sanded again, and repainted.
- The vinyl door frame color is bonded into the raw material, so it does not have the peeling or fading problems that homeowners have with wood door and window frames. In total, vinyl patio doors require very little work and virtually no expense to maintain. They cost around 80% less maintenance time and money than wood-framed doors.
Long-Term Durability of Vinyl Sliding Doors vs. Wood Options
Wood door and window frames are porous, making them vulnerable to deterioration, leading to leaking air and moisture around the edges over time. The repetitive stress worsens the surface and internal disintegration and warping from opening and closing and other handling and from the continual settling of the door over the years after installation.
Vinyl doors consist of polyvinylchlorides (PVC) is, an extraordinarily tough, impact-resistant, nonporous construction material. It withstands impacts and is not susceptible to corrosion, termite infestation, and damage from use. It also resists cracking due to temperature changes, fading in direct sunlight, and effects of other extreme external conditions better than wood framing.
Initial Cost Wood vs. Vinyl Sliding Doors
Vinyl patio door manufacturers can produce at a notably lower total cost for materials and labor than manufacturers of wood patio doors can. That’s why the price is so much lower for vinyl replacement sliding glass doors.
Comparative Installation Time
Replacement vinyl sliding glass doors typically take about an hour to install. For a wood sliding door, expect it to take around 2 to 3 times longer. Those general time estimates both include removing the existing slider and cleaning up the area after the installation is completed. So, many more windows can be installed in a day on a large project.
Comparative Contribution to Resale Value
Naturally, home buyers want patio doors and windows that are attractive, energy-efficient, easy to maintain, durable, and that will help keep the home comfortable. Deteriorated wood doors or windows can negatively impact property value. Savvy buyers are aware that wood windows and doors need frequent maintenance. They also know that vinyl replacement glass patio doors and windows provide superior energy performance, incomparably lower maintenance, equal beauty, and greater durability than wood models.
Also, see our blog post on the pros and cons of vinyl vs. wood windows.
Best Vinyl Sliding Glass Patio Doors
Advanced Window Products is Utah’s top manufacturer of energy-efficient replacement sliding glass doors. We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee and our Double Lifetime Warranty for your long-term peace of mind.
For questions about our line of sliding glass patio doors, call Advanced Window Products at (801) 505-9622, or contact us here on our website for more information!
