Are Sliding Patio Doors Worth The
Investment In Andover, MN?
Honest Contractors Won’t Charge You
For Anything Except These 5 Things
If you’ve sat through a few boring sales presentations for sliding patio doors in Andover, MN, you’re probably pretty confused by the prices.
Prices vary for no apparent reason. Some companies offer huge “discounts” if you sign right away, while others give you a list of prices and no guidance. It’s hard to tell what you should pay for a patio door.
You might even see doors that don’t look much different to you but have wildly different prices. If you just want to know why different sliding patio doors cost what they do, we’re here to help.
If you’re working with an honest company (one that isn’t artificially inflating prices so they can offer you a fake “discount”), there are just a handful of things that affect the price of sliding patio doors.
1. The Size And Style Of Your Patio Door
The size of the patio door you need is a major factor in its price. A huge, floor-to-ceiling door is going to cost far more than a standard 80-inch door – it requires more materials and is more difficult to install.
The type or style of the door is important, too. This guide covers basic sliding doors, but French doors and other patio door styles will have their own price ranges and factors.
2. Your New Patio Door’s Frame Material
Just like with replacement windows, there are several different frame materials for sliding patio doors. Vinyl is a cost-effective option that comes in varying qualities. High-quality vinyl will cost more but provides a great balance of energy efficiency and price. Cheap vinyl frames, though, can warp over time, demanding more frequent replacements.
Other frame materials have their own strengths and weaknesses. Fiberglass is one of the longest-lasting energy-efficient frame materials, and patio doors with fiberglass frames will cost more than those with vinyl frames.
Wood frames, while common in windows, are uncommon for sliding patio doors. Despite wood’s beauty, it’s a very high-maintenance material, ultimately costing you more in the long run.
3. The Glass Sliding Patio Doors Are Made From
While most glass looks pretty much the same, differences in glass layers, types, coatings, and more can affect prices.
Here in the Twin Cities area, well-insulated glass is the name of the game. Customers frequently pay more money for two-pane or three-pane glass that is insulated with argon gas fills.
Single-pane glass is cheap but will lose a lot of heat in the wintertime, meaning you’ll be paying for it on your energy bills.
Different coatings and treatments can also make sliding patio doors more expensive. Energy-efficient coatings and impact-resistant glass are a couple of examples of this.
4. Labor Costs Of Patio Door Installations
Another thing that affects the cost of patio doors is labor. If, for example, you’re having a patio door put in where there wasn’t one before, it’ll take a lot more work than replacing one that’s already there.
Companies that charge more for labor may hire more experienced installers. While this can cost you more money, it also increases your likelihood of a project going smoothly.
5. Overhead Costs For Replacing Sliding Patio Doors
Next up is overhead costs. Companies work overhead costs into their product pricing so they can continue to stay in business. This is why you might pay different amounts for the same item depending on who you hire.
Overhead costs include things like the salaries of executives, salespeople, and office staff, as well as shipping and warehouse space for products and materials. Advertising falls into overhead costs, too. Companies that minimize their overhead costs will almost always be able to provide you with a better deal on sliding patio doors.
For example, the Zen Windows Twin Cities method cuts out as much unnecessary overhead as possible. We don’t have salespeople, warehouses, showrooms, or huge corporate salaries to pay. Instead, we keep things simple and save everyone money.
If you want a great price on sliding patio doors in Andover, MN, call Zen Windows Twin Cities at (763) 286-6871 for a fast and easy quote.