How Much Does It Cost To Install A Sliding Door?

What is the labor cost to install a sliding door?

Most people spend around $400 on labor costs, with just under $300 being on the low end and $500 being on the high end. A professional contractor needs about 4 hours to install a sliding door, although your contractor’s level of experience, the type of door you choose and whether your home needs structural changes can affect that timeframe.

Sliding door costs by material

The material your sliding door is made from will affect how much it costs. Some materials are far more expensive than others.

The material you choose depends on a few factors, including aesthetics. Here’s a quick rundown of each type, how much they cost and the pros and cons of each.

Vinyl sliding doors cost

Vinyl sliding doors usually cost between $300 and $700, with a little bit of variance between manufacturers. These lightweight doors are less expensive than their heftier cousins are, and they’re generally easier to install, as well. As with any home upgrade, vinyl sliding doors can increase your home’s value. Unfortunately, though, they’re prone to warping in extreme heat, and they can sometimes do a poor job at sealing conditioned air in your house.

Wood sliding doors cost

Wood sliding doors typically cost between $500 and $1,500. They’re known for providing good insulation and for their longevity, and you can choose a color and – but they are a little more expensive than vinyl doors are. They also require regular maintenance.

Fiberglass sliding doors cost

Fiberglass sliding doors usually cost between $1,500 and $2,500. These types of doors come in a huge range of styles and require very little maintenance, and many of them can be painted. They’re typically costlier than wood doors, and you have to be cautious about the types of cleaning products you use because some can damage fiberglass finishes. Fiberglass sliding doors aren’t exceptionally durable and can crack.

Steel sliding doors cost

Steel sliding doors generally cost between $2,000 and $4,000. They’re extremely easy to maintain, but they’re the most expensive option. Unfortunately, these doors can dent with impact, and they’re susceptible to rust, especially in areas near the ocean.

Sliding door cost by type

In addition to choosing a sliding door material, you’ll need to decide whether you want a door that has two, three or four panels. Usually, these sliding doors have only one or two movable panels (although in some countries, such as South Korea, sliding doors that feature three movable panels are common – and although these styles are tough to find in the United States, it’s completely possible).

Doors with two panels, one fixed

Sliding glass doors with two panels, one of which is fixed in place, can cost between $300 and $1,500 per door (not counting installation costs). These are the most common sliding doors.

Doors with three panels, one or two fixed

Sliding doors that feature three panels, where only one or two are movable, cost between $1,000 and $3,000. That cost is just for the door – installation costs are separate and depend on how long your contractor works on installation.

Doors with four panels, two fixed

Sliding doors featuring four panels, with two movable and two stationary, usually cost between $2,000 and $5,000 excluding installation. These doors are typically very wide when installed; they’re about the same size as two side-by-side standard sliding door units.

How much does the glass in a sliding door cost?

The glass in a sliding door can cost between $100 and $1,000, depending on the type of glass pane you buy. Glass generally comes with these options:

Low E coated glass

Low-E (low emittance) coated glass is standard glass with a very thin, colorless and nontoxic coating that improves energy efficiency. It’s difficult to tell if glass is Low-E coated, although it does slightly affect the amount of light the window lets in.

Impact-resistant glass

Impact-resistant glass is glass that’s been covered with a safety glaze. It comprises two panes with a very thin, clear film between them, so if there’s an impact, the broken glass sticks to the film instead of falling on the ground or inside your home. These types of panes are similar to what you’ll find in a car’s windshield.

High energy efficiency glass

High energy efficiency glass is coated in metal oxide. The metal helps reduce excessive absorption of heat from the sun, which helps reduce a home’s energy costs and, in general, its carbon footprint. This type of glass is more energy efficient than Low-E coated glass is.

Gas-filled glass

Gas-filled glass makes use of a low-conductivity, inert gas (like argon) where standard air usually goes. The gas helps reduce heat transmission through the window because it acts as an insulator (unlike air, which simply reacts and tries to match the temperatures inside and outside a window or door).

Textured glass

Textured glass, which is commonly called patterned glass, features a distinctive (and usually bumpy) surface. Manufacturers make this glass by pressing a design into semi-molten glass and letting it harden. This type of glass is often used for privacy, because it inhibits views without significantly diminishing the amount of light that comes in.

Tempered glass

Tempered glass is a type of safety glass. It’s processed using heat and, in some cases, chemicals, to increase its strength. When this type of glass breaks, it doesn’t break like standard glass does; it usually shatters into small, even pieces, which help reduce the danger that sharp edges pose. It’s often used on screen protectors for phones (although on a much physically smaller scale than it is in doors), shower doors, coffee pots and ovens. This table shows how much you can expect to spend on each type of glass for your sliding door.

Sliding glass doors: Cost by size

The size of the sliding glass door you choose will affect your price. Naturally, the larger the glass and door, the more expensive it will be. In addition to the cost of the door, you’ll pay labor costs. Contractors provide quotes based on the amount of time they expect to spend on a job, and most will provide you with an hourly rate so you know what to expect if the job takes longer.

How much does a sliding patio door cost?

Sliding patio doors’ prices vary based on the type of door you choose. The size and materials you choose will affect your cost, as will the installation fees your contractor charges. You’ll pay less if you’re only replacing a sliding patio door – if the frame was already built into your home, your contractor won’t have to clear wall space for it. However, if you have to pay a contractor to install the frame and the door, as well as make structural changes to your home, it’ll cost more. A sliding patio door replacement costs between $800 and $2,000. That’s a big range, but a lot of factors come into play. You may not need to pay for an entire door, either; you may just be able to replace a panel, which can cost between $400 and $700.

Sliding glass door cost by type or specialty

If you’re choosing a specialty type of sliding door, you can expect to pay between $1,000 and $5,500. The most expensive specialty sliding doors are the largest; some of these doors can be up to 16 feet wide.

Automatic sliding glass doors cost

Automatic sliding glass doors cost between $1,000 and $3,500. These types of doors feature openers that use optical, motion or button-based sensors to activate the opening and closing mechanism. The sensors, if the door has them, are usually mounted over the door or integrated right into the frame.

Hurricane impact sliding door cost

Hurricane impact sliding doors cost between $2,000 and $3,000. These doors can withstand hurricane-force winds; some models can withstand winds up to 390 miles per hour. They’re made to stand up to debris thrown around during severe weather events.

Soundproof sliding door cost

Soundproof sliding doors cost between $2,000 and $3,500. Soundproof sliding glass doors are made to cancel noise, and some models even provide up to a 75 percent reduction in noise. The glass is laminated, which makes it tougher to break, as well.

Double-pane sliding door cost

Double-pane sliding glass doors cost between $2,500 and $3,500. Double-pane sliding doors feature two layers of glass rather than just one. Often, these types of glass panels are called insulating glass; you might find them with gas insulator such as argon inside.

Four-Panel sliding door cost

Four-panel sliding doors cost between $2,500 and $5,500. These doors feature four panels – typically two of which are mobile – and they’re usually the largest types of sliding doors. Usually, the two outer panels are fixed in place and the inner panels are the ones that move.

Cost factors when you buy a sliding glass door

When you buy a sliding glass door, you may have to account for additional cost factors related to materials, energy efficiency, security (including locks) and features such as grids or pet panels.

Materials

Materials such as weather stripping can add a bit to your total cost. So can new tracks and frames, as well as other necessities your installer needs to put your sliding door in place.

Energy efficiency

When you choose energy efficient glass, you may pay more for your door. Some doors are made with Low-E glass panels, insulated panes and other energy-saving features that can make your total cost higher.

Security and locks

Standard sliding doors are equipped with lever-style locks, but additional security options are available. Those options may include a metal rod to block the door from opening, and you can even add a sturdy after-market lock.

Additional features

Additional features like grids or pet panels will cost extra, but many manufacturers offer models with these features built in.

Replace a sliding glass door: Cost evaluations

Replacing a sliding glass door is typically cheaper than installing a brand-new one. That’s because installing a brand-new sliding door will require some structural work; if you’re simply replacing a door, you’ll only have to pay for the door and the materials.

DIY or hire a pro: What’s right for you?

Should you install your own sliding door, or should you hire a professional to do it for you? Ultimately, that decision’s up to you – but if you want to install it yourself, you need to know:

• A single sliding door panel usually weighs between 40 and 60 pounds
• Sliding door panels are large and usually require more than one person to handle
• It can take you several hours to install a door yourself

It’s usually best to hire a professional contractor to install a sliding glass door. A professional can typically get the job done within a few hours. If you have to make structural changes to your home to accommodate the door, it’s definitely in your best interest to hire a contractor.