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How to Choose the Finished Sliding Door That Suits You?

How to Choose the Finished Sliding Door That Suits You?

Mar 20,2023
wooden sliding door kit
Introduction
As people's requirements for the home environment are getting higher and higher, sliding doors, as a space-saving, beautiful and practical category, have been favored by more and more consumers. However, when choosing a cost sliding door that suits their home, consumers often face various selection difficulties. This article will introduce how to choose a cost-effective sliding door that suits you, and conduct detailed analysis in terms of size, door material, door type, style, hardware, etc., to help you easily choose the ideal sliding door, adding beauty and practicality to your home.
Door Size
The larger the sliding door, the more expensive it is. Larger sliding doors can add $100 to $500 to the price. While the standard size for sliding doors is 72 inches wide by 80 inches high, there are other common sizes, with a pair of doors 30 to 96 inches wide and 80, 84, or 96 inches high. Wider doors require more material and glass, which adds to the overall price.
Door Material
sliding door material and price
Sliding door frames can be made from a variety of materials, from affordable vinyl to more expensive high-end hardwood. The overall cost of a sliding door depends on the material. Below are the materials commonly used for sliding doors and the average price range for each material, not including installation.
Aluminum Sliding Doors
Aluminum sliding doors can cost anywhere from $650 to $3,000. This low-maintenance material is lightweight and durable, but fades easily. Aluminum does not insulate well against heat, so it is most commonly used for exterior or interior doors in mild climates. It has a glossy exterior and is usually available in black or white finishes.
Composite Wood Sliding Doors
Composite wood sliding doors range in price from $2,500 to $3,500. Homeowners who want a traditional look with wooden sliding doors facing the interior of the home and metal or aluminum for the exterior are often the material of choice. Composite wood doors to cover the outdoor exterior add extra protection from the elements.
Fiberglass Sliding Doors
Durable fiberglass sliding doors range from $800 to $4,000 and are available in a variety of colors and finishes. It's a low-maintenance material that insulates well, making it a popular choice for French exterior doors. Fiberglass is lightweight and suitable for all climates.
Steel Sliding Doors
Steel sliding doors can cost anywhere from $650 to $4,000. This durable material is popular in more modern and contemporary homes and is used for retractable sliding doors. Some homeowners prefer to leave the material unpainted for a more industrial look. Steel is not the best insulating material, so it is mostly used for exterior doors or interior sliding doors in mild climates.
Vinyl Sliding Doors
Affordable vinyl sliding doors range from $500 to $2,000. Vinyl is a relatively low maintenance material that can be cleaned easily. It is available in a variety of colors and finishes, and can also mimic wood grain textures. Vinyl sliding doors are often used as interior doors because the material deforms in heat and does not insulate well against extreme temperatures.
Wooden Sliding Doors
The average price for a wood sliding door is between $500 and $4,000. At the high end of the price range are durable hardwoods such as walnut, oak, mahogany, cherry, and cedar. At the less expensive end are softer woods such as pine, alder, and fir. Wood sliding doors can be pre-stained, painted, or unfinished, so homeowners can customize the door to their own personal style.

Wooden sliding doors are also more affordable compared to other materials. While the type and quality of wood can have an impact on price, in general, wood sliding doors are much less expensive than metal or glass doors of the same size and quality. Therefore, for consumers with limited budget, choosing wooden sliding doors is a very wise choice. Secondly, wooden sliding doors are a very environmentally friendly choice. Since wood is a renewable resource, wooden sliding doors are more environmentally friendly than other materials. Plus, not only can wooden sliding doors reduce waste through recycling, but they are also manufactured to reduce energy use and environmental impact.

If you are looking for a door that is beautiful, functional, environmentally friendly and affordable, then a wooden sliding door might be the right choice for you.
composite wood sliding door
Composite Wood Sliding Doors
glass metal barn door
Glass Metal 
Barn Door
Wood Glass Sliding Door
Wood Glass
Sliding Door
Door Type
Traditional sliding doors are usually installed as a pair of side-by-side hinged doors that meet in the middle. Modern sliding doors are available in a variety of types and styles to suit any decor design and space. The types of sliding doors include double door dislocation door, folding telescopic door, single door and so on.
Double-door Staggered Door
Double-door staggered door means that the two door panels are staggered during installation to achieve better space utilization. This kind of door is suitable for places with large door openings, such as interior doors, bathroom doors, study doors and so on. Compared with the traditional single-leaf sliding door, the double-door staggered door has a larger opening area and can save more space. At the same time, the double-door dislocation door is relatively simple to install, and the required hardware and materials are relatively common, so the production cost is also lower.
Folding Telescopic Door
Folding telescopic door means that the door panel can be folded during installation to achieve better space utilization. This kind of door is suitable for places with large door openings, such as living rooms, restaurants or commercial places. The door panel of the folding telescopic door can be folded freely according to the needs, and the width of the door can be adjusted flexibly, so it is very suitable for occasions where space division is often required.
Single Door
A single door refers to a door that has only one door panel installed on the door opening and is opened or closed by pushing and pulling. This type of door is suitable for places with small door openings, such as bathrooms, kitchens or storage rooms. Single doors can also be customized according to different needs and styles, and can be made according to personal favorite colors, materials and designs.
Style
Sliding doors are available in a variety of styles. Some styles are better suited to a particular architectural design than others, and some homeowners choose a custom design style that works best for their home. Below are the most common sliding door styles.
Craftsman Style Sliding Doors
Craftsman style sliding doors are usually framed in wood, often mimicking the window glass pattern found in Craftsman style homes. They have a 2-in-1 style window, which means a bottom glass panel is topped with two glass panels of the same height, each half the width of the lower glass panel. A thin wood frame separates each panel to maintain the Craftsman style.
French Country Style Doors
French country style doors are often used as front entrances and use less glass than other styles of doors. They are usually made of hardwood and have an arched top, whether the entire door is arched or just the glazed area.
Industrial Style Sliding Doors
Industrial-style sliding doors can swing in or out, or slide on visible tracks mounted to the ceiling. Industrial sliding doors are made of thin metal frames and are usually installed inside the house rather than outside. The mullion, or divider between each pane of glass, is the same thickness as the frame, which means the majority of the door is made of glass.
Modern Farmhouse Sliding Doors
Modern farmhouse sliding doors are thinner than traditional sliding doors and typically use less glass. The bottom of the door is trimmed with a wood (or metal) panel, and the glass extends to the top, covering about ¾ of the door. Modern farmhouse sliding doors are usually made of wood and can be stained or painted to match the overall style of the home.
Hardware
Track Rail
The track rail of a sliding door refers to a vertically long guide device installed on the door, which is used to guide the opening and closing movement of the door leaf. The track rail is usually made of metal or plastic material, and its length and shape can be customized according to different door types and sizes. Sliding door guide rails are usually divided into two types: upper guide rail and lower guide rail. The upper guide rail is mainly responsible for supporting the suspension device of the door leaf, and the lower guide rail is responsible for supporting the pulley and floor guide of the door leaf. Through the design and processing of the guide rail, the friction force and movement resistance of the door leaf can be effectively reduced, so as to realize smooth and light door leaf opening and closing.

The selection of sliding door rails needs to consider many factors, such as the weight and size of the door leaf, the frequency of use, the number of door leaves, etc. For heavier or larger door leaves, it is necessary to choose more firm and durable rails to ensure the stability and safety of the door leaf. In addition, factors such as the temperature and humidity of the use environment need to be considered when selecting guide rails to avoid rust or corrosion of the guide rails.
Pulley Hangers
Pulley Hangers are usually used to support and guide the opening and closing movement of the door leaf. Generally made of metal or plastic materials, its diameter and structure can be customized according to different door types and sizes. Sliding door Pulley Hangers are usually divided into upper pulley and lower pulley. The upper pulley is mainly responsible for supporting the suspension device of the door leaf, and the lower pulley is responsible for supporting the weight of the door leaf. Through the design and processing of the pulley, the friction and movement resistance of the door leaf can be effectively reduced, so that the door leaf can be opened and closed smoothly and lightly.

The selection of Pulley Hangers for sliding doors needs to consider many factors, such as the weight, size and quantity of the door leaf, frequency of use and use environment, etc. For heavier or larger door leaves, it is necessary to choose high-strength Pulley Hangers that can bear the weight of the door leaf to ensure the stability and safety of the door leaf. In addition, factors such as the temperature and humidity of the use environment need to be considered when selecting a pulley to avoid rust or corrosion of the pulley.
Stoppers
The Stoppers of a sliding door is a mechanical device installed on the door to control the opening and closing speed of the door and ensure that the door can stop smoothly when it is closed. The Stoppers can slow down the movement speed of the door, thereby reducing the loss and noise of the door. At the same time, the Stoppers can also increase the safety of the door, preventing the door from slamming into people or objects when it is closed.

The Stoppers of a sliding door usually consists of several parts, including the Stoppers itself, Pulley Hangers, springs, reducers, etc. The Stoppers usually uses air pressure, oil pressure, electric control, etc. to control the opening and closing speed and strength of the door. Different types of sliding door Stoppers are suitable for different doors, such as heavy doors, light doors, single doors, double doors, etc. Users need to choose the Stoppers that suits them according to the actual situation.
Softer
The softer of a sliding door refers to a device installed on the door to control the opening and closing speed of the door and ensure that the door can stop smoothly when it is closed. Buffers generally consist of several parts, including buffers, sliders, springs, etc. The buffer usually adopts hydraulic or pneumatic technology, which can realize automatic buffering and shock absorption, thereby reducing the loss and noise of the door. The bumper also increases the security of the door, preventing it from slamming into people or objects when the door is closed. Different types of sliding door buffers are suitable for different doors, such as heavy doors, light doors, single doors, double doors, etc.
Floor Guide
The floor guide of a sliding door is a guide rail installed on the ground to guide the opening and closing movement of the door leaf. The floor guide can help the door leaf to maintain smooth movement and ensure that the door leaf does not damage the ground when it is closed. Typically, floor guides are made of metal or plastic material, and their length and shape can be customized to suit the size and shape of the door. The installation position of the floor guide is usually on the lower edge of the door leaf, and the guide rail is fixed through the groove or protrusion on the ground. The selection of sliding door floor guide needs to consider the weight, size and quantity of the door, as well as the frequency of use of the door and the environment in which it is located. Generally speaking, heavier doors need to choose stronger floor guides, while for frequently used doors, it is necessary to choose wear-resistant and non-slip floor guides to reduce wear and tear.
Benefits of Buying Sliding Doors from WEKIS
WEKIS is a professional custom sliding door and hardware manufacturer with nearly twenty years of experience in creating sliding door hardware and furniture hardware. Apart from that, our sliding doors and hardware are also very durable and strong and can be used for a long time without any issues. In addition, we offer detachable finished sliding door sets, which means that both transport and installation are very convenient and do not require much time and effort.

If you are looking for high quality, stylish, convenient and durable sliding doors and hardware, then our products will be your ideal choice. Welcome to contact us to buy high quality sliding doors and hardware.