Where to Buy French Sliding Doors

French sliding doors are becoming a frequent feature in modern home designs and renovations for good reason: They blend timeless elegance with modern functionality. Modern homebuilders should know where to buy the best French doors that balance style, performance and long-term value for today’s discerning homeowners. The recommendations are based on several factors, from material quality to warranty coverage. 

The Modern Appeal of French Sliding Doors

Traditional French doors take up a lot of space. They swing on hinges from the center, with two doors meeting in the middle. To open them, you need to unlatch the primary door, open the second door and push both inward or outward, depending on their design.

Sliding French doors remove the need for a wide clearance, opening endless design opportunities. They work well in tight patio areas and small rooms. These modern options also leave plenty of valuable floor space for foot traffic, furniture and decor.

Contemporary French doors have slimmer frames and wider glass panes compared to their traditional counterparts. They let in more natural light and provide a wide outdoor view. These doors also make the transition from interior living areas to exterior patios, decks or gardens seamless. It takes seconds to slide them open to enjoy outdoor spaces. 

This modern door design complements various architectural aesthetics, from midcentury modern and contemporary concrete to geometric and modern farmhouse. Many homebuyers look for sliding French doors, which means having them can increase a property’s overall value and marketability.

Methodology for Evaluating Door Suppliers

French doors infographic for Renewal by Andersen

Image: Renewal by Andersen®

Recommendations are the result of careful assessment based on criteria that matter to building professionals. Here’s a detailed look at the metrics used to evaluate the French sliding doors in this list:

CriteriaDetailsWeighting
Material quality and durabilityCan the frame, glass and hardware resist warping, rotting and fading?25%
Design options and customizationsCan the sliding door company design solutions that match the client’s architectural style and preferences?20%
Energy-efficient doorsCan the doors meet or exceed local energy codes and reduce long-term homeownership costs?15%
Security featuresHow do the doors ensure homeowner safety and meet regional building requirements?15%
Warranty coverage and customer supportDoes the company offer a strong warranty and reliable support solutions?15%
Supplier reputation and reliabilityIs the French door provider an established or trusted brand?10%

Where to Buy French Sliding Doors

The following are the best French doors on the market for certain project types, including overall performance, budget, custom design and environmental resilience.

1. Best Overall: Renewal by Andersen

Renewal by Andersen is the top choice for high-performance, durable and energy-efficient doors. It’s a full-service company, making it ideal for professionals looking for a reliable, single-source partner from design consultation to installation.

Modern living room with french doors by Renewal by Andersen

Renewal by Andersen® French door replacements have framing made from Fibrex®, a real wood fiber composite that’s stronger than vinyl, wood, aluminum and other common materials. Fibrex® also resists thermal expansion, allowing for narrower, more durable frames. To guarantee energy efficiency, the doors have High-Performance™ Low-E4® glass, which helps reduce energy bills.

The company’s solutions also come with a transferable limited warranty with comprehensive coverage. The extensive protection, thorough client support and reliable sliding door solutions make the company’s premium price points worth it. However, note that Renewal by Andersen® sliding doors are exclusively installed by its experts. There are no DIY or third-party contractor options.

ProsCons
Superior Fibrex® material durabilityPremium price point (due to quality)
Exceptional energy efficiencyNot recommended for DIY purchase
Full-service, professional installation 
Transferable, comprehensive warranty coverage 

Andersen Perma-Shield infographic

Image: Renewal by Andersen®

2. Best for Budget-Conscious Projects: JELD-WEN

JELD-WEN is known for reliable, cost-effective door and window solutions, making it perfect for builders focused on a budget. Its French sliding doors are affordable without sacrificing performance.

This major manufacturer offers French sliding doors in its Premium™ Vinyl (V-4500) product line, which provides excellent thermal efficiency through a multichamber frame design. For energy efficiency, JELD-WEN has optional high-performance Low-E insulating glass that helps regulate temperatures. It also offers several glass options, such as ImpactGard®, Neat®, tempered and laminated glass.

The only downsides are the limited customization options and the lack of installation services. JELD-WEN provides support with comprehensive installation, finishing and sizing guides. Here’s how it compares to Renewal by Andersen:

FeatureRenewal by AndersenJELD-WEN
Primary materialFibrex® compositeVinyl or wood
Service modelFull-service replacementProduct only, via retail
Best forLong-term performanceBudget-conscious projects
Price pointPremiumBudget-to-mid-range

3. Best for High-End Custom Design: Marvin

Marvin is a top contender for bespoke modern door solutions, making it the premier choice for architects and builders working with maximum design freedom. It specializes in customization, offering a wide selection of sizes, colors, wood species, finishes and hardware.

Marvin has specialty collections, like Coastline’s easy-to-maintain extruded aluminum solutions and Modern’s low-gloss aluminum interiors and high-density fiberglass exteriors.

Its sliding French doors are made of proprietary Ultrex® fiberglass, a patented pultruded material three times stronger than Fibrex.

However, the unlimited customization options come at premium price points. They could also take a while to complete, depending on the design complexity. Marvin also doesn’t provide installation services, but offers comprehensive resources for clients. Here’s how it compares to Renewal by Andersen:

FeatureRenewal by AndersenMarvin
Design flexibilityHigh customization within a proven systemUnlimited, bespoke options
Primary materialFibrex® compositeUltrex® fiberglass, wood and extruded aluminum
Ideal projectHigh-performance replacements and renovationsArchitect-led new custom homes
Service modelAll-inclusive design, build and installProduct sold via dealers, installations are separate

4. Best for Coastal and High-Impact Zones: Milgard

Demanding environments like coastal regions have strict building codes to ensure structures can withstand hurricanes. Milgard specializes in these types of projects.

Its sliding glass doors are impact-resistant, thanks to durable, energy-efficient materials like C650 Ultra™ Series fiberglass. The material’s strength, stability and resistance to salt air corrosion make it ideal for coastal zones. Meanwhile, Milgard’s vinyl French sliding doors exceed the American Architectural Manufacturers Association’s stringent requirements for impact and weather resistance.

Because of its specialty, most of Milgard’s branches are in western coastal cities, like California, Oregon and Washington. The only exception is its dealership in Prescott, Arizona. Here’s how it compares to Renewal by Andersen:

FeatureRenewal by AndersenMilgard
Impact resistanceHigh-performance standard with optional upgradesSpecialized product lines for impact zones
Frame materialsFibrex® composite that resists rot, corrosion and fadingFiberglass and vinyl. optimized for coastal conditions
WarrantyStrong, comprehensive limited warrantyIndustry-leading full lifetime warranty
Regional strengthStrong national network and supportDominant expertise in Western, coastal markets

Find the Best French Doors for Your Project

Outside pool area with french sliding doors by Renewal by Andersen

Image: Renewal by Andersen®

Your best choice depends on your budget, design goals and environmental considerations. Assess its specifications and compare your options. Are you working around a specific factor, or would a full-service French sliding door company be best for your replacement, renovation or design needs? Schedule consultations with potential suppliers to get detailed quotes for your project.

*Please note that this list includes sponsored content. Some of the companies, products, or services featured have entered into commercial agreements for placement. Sponsored placements do not necessarily reflect an endorsement and should be considered alongside other options in the marketplace.