How Big Are Sliding Doors?

Installing a sliding glass door is an appealing way to upgrade your home. With sliding doors, you can feel an instant connection with the outdoors. Your sliding doors create a quick link to your yard, lawn, and patio. You might be wondering if sliding doors can fit your home's door frames or not. To find the right sliding door size, we have researched how big sliding doors are.

The standard size of sliding doors is about 80 inches in height and around 60 to 72 inches wide. The size of a sliding glass door considers the glass and sliding panels. There are multi-paneled sliding doors that can measure up to 96 inches tall and 144 inches wide. Measure the rough opening to get the correct measurements and avoid costly replacements.

The size of the sliding door determines the hardware, like the door track and rollers. The door size also affects your curtain length. With the things you need for installation, adding sliding doors to your homes is costly. You also need to maintain the sliding doors to avoid incurring expenses. Keep reading below to learn more about sliding doors.

Modern house interior with reclining chair facing outside the big sliding door. How Big Are Sliding Doors

How Are Sliding Doors Measured?

Before selecting the sliding door, you must get the exact measurements. The important things to measure are the sliding door height and width. Sliding door measurements range from 80 to 96 inches in height and 60 to 144 inches wide. Manufacturers can custom-fit sliding doors depending on your preferences.

To make your desired sliding door fit in your house, you need to measure your wall openings. For houses under construction, plan where you should install sliding doors. The common places for sliding doors are in balconies or patios. But you can also install sliding doors for interior spaces.

For existing homes, you can refer to your home's blueprint. You can look at the planned dimensions of the wall openings. You can redo the measurements to update older blueprints.

Modern living room and balcony with big sliding doors

How Do You Measure The Rough Opening For A Sliding Glass Door?

To get the correct measurements, you must measure the wall's rough opening. The opening is critical to the size of the sliding door you will buy. If you skip measuring, the sliding door unit will not fit. You will need to reorder the right door or adjust the rough opening so that the sliding door fits. Getting the correct measurements avoids incurring more expenses.

Whether you are installing for an existing or new house, below are the steps to measure the sliding door:

  1. Measure for the height vertically by getting the distance from the floor to the top of the wall opening. Measure on both left and right sides. If the measurements of the two sides differ, use the smaller value and deduct 10 mm from the value.
  2. Next is to measure the wall opening horizontally from left to right. Get the smallest value, then deduct 20mm to allow enough space when sealing.

How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Sliding Patio Door?

The cost to replace patio doors ranges from $400 to $5,000. The costs vary depending on the size and type of frame material of the patio door. Vinyl is the cheapest option. The next are aluminum and fiberglass, which costs from $600 to $3,500. Wood is the most expensive among the material options, which can cost as much as $5,000.

Aside from the material, the type of glass adds to the cost of patio doors. The type of glass can be impact- or UV-resistant, decorative, or energy-efficient. The number of patio door glass panels also influences the replacement cost. Thus, glass for large-sized and high-end quality patio doors will be expensive.

Also, consider the cost for extra labor included in the replacement costs. If you hire an outside contractor, the cost might vary depending on the problems of your patio doors.

From the things mentioned, replacing your patio doors is costly. That is why you need to take care of your doors to avoid incurring expenses. Find out below how to take care of your sliding patio doors.

Kitchen with sliding doors to patio

How To Maintain Your Sliding Patio Doors

If you want to prevent the replacement costs, you need to keep your sliding doors in good condition. Here are some tips you can follow:

  • Regularly clean the glass panels to keep them shiny and dust-free.
  • Wash the door's frame both inside and out using light soapy water. For wood frames, you can varnish the door frame.
  • Clean and lubricate the sliding door track and rollers every month.
  • Replace old and brittle weatherstripping. Also, replace any damaged rollers.
  • Check misalignments of the door panels.

What Is The Standard Size Of French Patio Doors?

French patio doors have double doors that open outward or inward. French patio doors have glass panels. To operate French patio doors, you need to swing them open because they do not have any sliding mechanism.

There is a variety of sizes for French patio doors to fit door openings. French patio door sizes range from 30 to 72 inches wide and a height of around 48 to 120 inches. You can ask manufacturers to customize the door sizes to fit in your door frames.

Wooden deck at home with french patio doors at the back

What Size Curtain Do I Need For A Sliding Glass Door?

Sliding glass doors give way to natural light and heat into your home. When the night comes, the interior of your home will be visible to passersby. For these issues, a curtain blocks out light and visibility from the outside. Aside from the functionality, curtains add some beauty to your home.

Curtains sold in stores have varying sizes. The curtain size depends on the height and width of your sliding glass door. Check out below the components you need to consider:

Curtain Length

The first thing to measure is the length of the curtain. It would be best if you consider the rings or grommets of the curtain. For the length, add 4 inches more to your sliding glass door's height. The extra inches comprise a 3-inch extension above the door frame and 1 inch below it. If the height of your sliding glass door measures 80 inches, your curtain should be 84 inches long.

Here are some curtain recommendations for your sliding glass doors:

1. SunZero Sliding Patio Door Curtain Panel

Check out this energy-efficient sliding patio door curtain on Amazon.

2. Insulated Curtains For Sliding Patio Doors

Get this insulated sliding patio door curtain on Amazon.

Curtain Rod

The next thing to measure is the curtain rod. You need to add four more inches on each end to get the curtain rod length. If you have a 60-inch wide sliding glass door, you will need a 68-inch curtain rod for this size. The extra inches are for the stacking distance of the curtain. Regardless of the length, there are different choices of curtain rods to suit your style.

Below are some curtain rod recommendations:

1. Ivilon Drapery Curtain Rod

Buy this Ivilon curtain rod on Amazon.

2. Kamanina Curtain Rod

Get this telescoping curtain rod on Amazon.

In Closing

Sliding doors have varying sizes. The more door panels, the bigger the sliding door. To fit your sliding doors, you need to get the height and width of the wall's rough opening. Measuring is critical to prevent replacing sliding doors that won't fit. The cost of replacing sliding doors ranges from $400 to $5,000. You can also add curtains to add appeal to your sliding doors. Add beauty to your homes with sliding doors now!

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