The average cost to replace a patio door is $2,500, but it can cost between $600 and $10,000, depending on material and labor costs.
Patio door replacement costs an average of $2,500 and typically ranges from $1,550 to $6,250. The patio door's style has a massive impact on cost. This guide covers patio door replacement costs so that you can spend less time puzzling over price and more time enjoying hamburgers and cold ones with your family and friends.
The final tab for any patio door replacement reflects costs from a number of different stages in the process.
Before considering the costs of installing a new patio door or replacing old parts, homeowners must contend with the costs of disposal. Legally dumping the waste can run between $100 and $400.
Working in tandem with the type of patio doors that we've outlined below, the size of your door will play a large role in your costs. Exterior door installation costs always depend on the size of the rough opening, the complexity of the installation, and the cost of building and shipping the door itself.
For reference, standard exterior door sizes are 80-inches high and 36-inches wide, but sliding glass door sizes—and most patio doors in general—fall between 80- and 96-inches high and 60- to 144-inches wide. Custom door sizes outside of this standard cost more, for both design and installation.
Homeowners often prefer patio doors over traditional exterior doors because they increase sunlight and create a wider, more welcoming opening to their outdoor space. Patio doors have anywhere from two to four panels on average, but can extend the length of a wall when custom-made. Accounting for the different types of patio doors, here's what to expect from the cost per panel.
Keep in mind that while telescoping doors include multiple panels, the panels are often smaller and set on a single track, regulating the overall size.
| Number of Panels | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Two | $400–$2,400 |
| Three | $1,000–$3,500 |
| Four | $2,000–$7,000 |
| Five or more (telescoping) | $1,500–$5,000 |
If your old door frame is rotted, damaged, or simply in need of an upgrade, you will have to pay for a new one. The prices depend on the type of materials into which your door is fitted.
| Material | Average Range | Range for Large Sizes |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl | $300–$800 | $800–$1,200 |
| Aluminum | $600–$1,000 | $1,000–$2,000 |
| Fiberglass | $800–$1,800 | $1,800–$3,500 |
| Wood | $1,500–$2,500 | $2,500–$5,000 |
The new door will constitute the bulk of the cost of any patio door replacement. Depending on the size and style of the door, the charges will run between $400 and $10,000.
Unless you’re an old hand at this specific kind of work, it’s recommended that you bring in a local contractor to help install your new door. On average, the cost for labor is between $400 and $1,400. Installing an exterior door yourself only accounts for the materials and basic tools, so costs range closer to $100 and $500.
The significant variation in average labor costs reflects the wide array of factors that can affect it, from specialty materials to the particular conditions of your patio. One way to save on installation is to opt for a prehung door, which will raise your costs at the checkout counter, but reduce the load on your checkbook when it’s time to pay the contractor.
With the new frame in place, you’re ready to tackle your new patio door. The prices here depend entirely on the style and materials of the patio door best suited to your home.
The typical total cost of replacing a sliding glass door ranges between $1,000 and $3,000.
Inspired by traditional Japanese fusuma bamboo room dividers, sliding doors are often a great choice for patios where space is at a premium. The standard two-panel sliding door is the most cost-effective option, with material costs ranging from $300 to $1,500; three-panel sliding doors run between $700 and $3,000; and deluxe, four-panel sliding doors commanding between $2,000 and $5,000.
This usually breaks down to $10 to $50 per square foot for materials and $250 to $1,650 for a professional glass door installer.
Patio owners who wish to cultivate more stately digs typically opt for French doors, which lend a classical symmetry to the threshold. At the lowest end, French doors will cost you $400, and at the top of the market, $4,000 for larger sizes, more elegant designs, and custom configurations.
Accordion-style folding doors are a less common means of patio ingress and egress, perhaps because they are the most expensive—but no other type of patio door offers a wider opening. Replacing them will cost between $3,000 and $10,000, at $500 and $900 per linear square foot.
Another type of multi-panel door, telescoping patio doors are made up of three or more sections that all move independently, allowing for a range of different configurations. The average price for adding them to your patio is between $1,500 and $5,000.
Sometimes a door requires an upgrade to a particular form or function without necessitating the installation of a whole new one. Here’s what you can expect to pay for common adjustments:
Patio door glass replacement costs range between $150 and $1,000, including labor. The glass price depends on the type, total surface area, and any additional features, such as tempered or energy-efficient glass.
| Glass Type | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Single-Pane | $150–$300 |
| Low-E | $250–$450 |
| Energy-Efficient | $350–$600 |
| Tempered | $400–$600 |
| Hurricane-Rated | $700–$1,500 |
The cost to replace a single panel in a sliding glass door costs between $450 and $700.
To replace the rollers that keep sliding glass, well, sliding, homeowners pay between $20 and $40 in parts and between $75 and $140 for professional labor, for a total average range between $95 and $170.
The rollers run on a door track. A patio door track costs between $75 and $250, though most homeowners will pay about $150 for the part.
If your patio door needs a new handle or knob, the average cost for a DIY job falls between $40 and $100. Or, if you wish to bring in a professional, between $120 and $250.
If your existing patio door frame is in good shape and you simply need to install a new door, you should expect to pay between $600 and $5,000 for a new sliding patio door, depending on the shape and size of the entryway. This range is for a standard patio door and doesn’t include anything fancy, such as a bifold door, which is much pricier.
Replacing or upgrading any exterior doorway can inspire customizations that better fit your home and lifestyle. There are many types of screen doors for welcoming in breezy summer afternoons, storm doors for chilly winters, and patio doors with strong locks to add security.
Letting the cool air in while keeping insects and other pests out, a screen door is an almost essential addition to your patio. Screen door installation costs range from $100 to $1,500. If your patio is on the smaller end, you might instead consider installing a retractable screen door.
Like any door, your patio door creates the opportunity for hot or cold air to leak in and out of the house, raising your energy bills. If this is a worry, consider adding additional insulation to your new patio door, which typically runs between $300 and $600.
To make sure that your patio door doesn’t become the easiest means of ingress for a watchful burglar, you’ll want to install a deadbolt or a dual-point locking system, to the tune of somewhere between $30 and $300.
| Additional Feature | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Screen doors | $100–$1,500 |
| Insulation | $300–$600 |
| Security | $30–$300 |
The average cost to DIY patio door replacement ranges from $400 to $1,100. However, costs could be considerably higher for a large, intricate patio door and frame replacement using high-quality materials. Whether or not you bring in a pro, the bulk of the job’s costs will be on your materials. The average costs for labor in patio door replacement run between $400 and $1,400—so if you’ll be replacing a sliding glass door yourself, knock that off your total estimate.
Replacing patio doors yourself might save some bucks, but it isn’t a savvy strategy if your DIY skills aren’t up to scratch. It’s a complex job requiring an array of tools and heavy lifting. If you get things wrong, you could spend more time and money putting things right. Hiring a local door installation contractor prevents messy misalignment, accidental damage, and water ingress, insulation, or security snags.
Patio door replacement is even more challenging when you need to widen a frame.
Calling in the pros eliminates the worry of facing serious structural issues, and they can support the application process if the project requires a building permit.
You can safely trim patio door replacement costs in several ways without risking quality. For example, while DIYing the entire job is not for everyone, handling some parts of the project yourself can lower your bottom line. Here are some cost-saving tips from start to finish.
Keep a flexible timeline to take advantage of seasonal sales on hardware.
Compare at least three quotes from local door installation teams.
Stick with the same type of patio door to avoid costly changes to the frame.
Install the weatherstripping or additional hardware yourself.
For wooden doors, paint the door slab yourself before hiring a professional.
Shop around for upcycled doors and second-hand hardware.
Book several other projects at the same time to lower the contractor's overhead costs.
Ginny Bartolone contributed to this article.
The typical time it takes to replace a patio door is between three and five hours. That time frame includes removal of the old door and making any necessary repairs before installing the door. However, the project could take up to a full day, depending on the door’s design and the surrounding wall structure.
Traditional sliding glass patio doors can last as long as 20 to 30 years, with proper care and maintenance. A patio door's lifespan will depend on whether the door was installed properly, as well as how much wear and tear it gets over the years. Regular repairs will help it last longer.
It’s possible to replace a patio door without replacing the frame if it matches the size of the new door. This can simplify the installation process and reduce costs. However, if the existing frame is in poor condition, doesn’t match the new door design, or isn’t fit for purpose, replacement is a more practical, long-term investment.
