Sliding glass doors are an aesthetic and classic choice for front entry doors in modern homes. However, like every other glass product, they are fragile and prone to damage. If you are faced with a situation like a broken glass pane, you will wonder how much it cost to replace a sliding glass door.

The cost to replace a sliding glass door is determined by several factors like the number and size of panels, the frame’s material, etc. The cost to replace an entire sliding glass door is $700 – $3,700. The price is reduced if you replace just a part, like the track or a single panel.

This article will discuss the costs of replacing a sliding glass door, how to fix a broken sliding glass door, and how to make your glass door look better.

How Much Does It Cost To Put A Sliding Door?

The installation cost of a sliding glass door depends on the door frame material, the number of panels, and the door size. The average price of installing a sliding glass door is between $700 – $3,700. The door ranges from $400 to $2,500 depending on the glass’s size, type, and thickness and the frame’s material. 

The labor costs $200 – $500 per hour, and it would take up to five hours to get the job done. Hardware and accessories like rollers, locks, handles, coverings, soft-close systems, and pet doors also add to the total cost of a sliding glass door.  

Sliding glass doors are a good choice for front entry and patio doors. It is perfect for homeowners that love natural light and a beautiful outdoor view. Sliding glass doors are not the most affordable type of door. They are fragile and can easily be damaged. 

What Are The Factors Affecting The Cost Of Replacing The Sliding Glass Door?

The factors affecting the cost of replacing a sliding glass door include the frame’s material, the number of glass panels, the size, the glass type and thickness, etc. You must be aware of these factors to plan effectively. Read on for detailed explanations of these factors.

1. The Frame’s Material

Aluminum, vinyl, fiberglass, and wood are the most commonly used material for the frame of sliding glass doors. 

• Aluminum is a popular choice because it is durable, requires less maintenance, and is lightweight. It is also an affordable option. Aluminum sliding glass doors cost $600 – $1000. Although aluminum is energy-efficient, it is prone to heat loss, and only it is perfect for homes in areas with mild temperatures.
• Fiberglass frames are weather-resistant hence perfect for any weather condition. They come in various styles and colors, require little maintenance, and are durable. Fiberglass is the most expensive option. It costs $1500 – $2500. 
• Vinyl frames are durable, lightweight, cost-effective, easy to install, and require little maintenance. They can be painted or stained to suit your preference.  Its only major shortcoming is it is prone to warping in extreme heat. Vinyl sliding glass doors cost $300 – $700. 
• Wood frame is a classic option. They can be painted or stained to match your interior decor. Wood frames are a popular choice because they are good insulators and are long-lasting. However, when exposed to moisture and insects, they warp, chirp, and rot quickly. Wood sliding doors cost $500 – $1500, depending on the type of wood and design.

2. Number of Glass Panels

Another factor that influences the replacement cost of sliding glass doors to a large extent is the number of glass panels. Typically, the higher the number of panels, the higher the price of the door itself and the higher the labor cost. The five standard options are two-panel, three-panel, four-panel, five-panel, and six-panel. 

Replacing a two-panel sliding glass door would be cheaper than replacing a six-panel sliding glass door. A two-panel sliding glass door costs $300 – $1300 (for just the door itself), while a four-panel sliding door costs $2000 – $5000. Depending on the number of panels you want, expect to spend between $700 – $6500 for purchasing the door and installation. 

3. Glass Type, Thickness, and Coating

There are four types of glass used for sliding glass doors and glass doors in general: annealed, tempered, heat-strengthened and laminated glass. Annealed glass is ordinary glass that has not been heat-strengthened or tempered. Annealed glass is the cheapest type available but is more prone to damage.

Heat-strengthened glass is five times stronger than annealed glass and is affordable. Tempered glass is four times stronger than tempered glass, is less prone to damage, and is quite expensive. Laminated is the most substantial. Although it is expensive, go for laminated glass because it is not easily compromised.

The thickness of the glass also affects the price of your sliding door, determining the replacement cost. More material is used to make thicker glass, making it more expensive. The standard glass thickness for sliding glass doors is ⅜ – ½ inches.

Coatings are usually added to glass to make it more durable and resistant to dents. Some coatings like tinting help reduce the amount of light passing through the glass. Typically, the coated glass would be much more expensive than uncoated glass.

4. Size

Typically, the larger the door, the higher the price, which increases the replacement cost. The size of each panel affects the price of the door. An eight-foot-tall two-panel door would be more expensive than a two-panel sliding door just six feet tall.

5. Hardware And Hardware Material

The number of hardware to be replaced and the quality of the material used will affect the total replacement cost. Additional features like pet dogs, soft-close systems, etc.., add to the replacement cost. 

Can You Replace Just The Sliding Glass Door?

Yes, you can replace just a sliding glass door without removing the frame. If your door’s frame is in good condition, but your sliding glass door is broken or damaged, you can have just the glass panel replaced.

Sliding glass doors are an aesthetic and classic choice for your home’s interior and front entry doors. It allows light into the home and provides a beautiful view of the home from the outside. 

However, sliding glass doors can get broken, cracked, or damaged like every other glass item. Some situations like broken glass, difficulty opening and closing the door, or twisted or bent sliding door will require that you replace your sliding glass door.  

How Long Does It Take to Replace Sliding Door?

The time spent depends on what part is to be replaced. It will take a professional four to six hours to replace a standard-size sliding glass door, that is, uninstalling the old sliding door and assembling and installing the new door.

Amateur DIYers will take longer. You will spend two hours at most to replace just the glass panels of your sliding glass door.

How Do You Fix A Broken Sliding Glass Door?

Dealing with a broken sliding glass door is risky. We recommend you set a professional to help you with this. However, for ambitious homeowners with a flair for fixing things themselves, we will show you how to improve your broken sliding glass door. 

Before that, please note that if your frame is in good condition, you only need to replace the broken glass. 

Tools required:

• Utility knife
• Caulks
• New glass
• Tape measure
• Glass cutter
• Screwdriver 

1. Take off the trim around the broken glass panel and then carefully remove any remaining piece of glass. Use a utility knife to scrape any glass remnant stuck to the caulking.
2. You will need to purchase a new glass. Measure the height of the trim and subtract ¼ inch from the figure. That is the correct height of the glass you are to buy.
3. Measure the width of the opening and again subtract ¼ inches from the figure to get the correct width of glass you need. 
4. Lay your new glass on a soft-padded surface and mark the measurement you took earlier. Using the outline made, trim the glass to the correct size with a glass cutter.
5. Apply a small amount of caulking around the borders of the glass opening. 
6. Place the piece of glass carefully into the caulking and then apply caulk around the inner border of the installed glass.
7. Reinstall the trim around the installed glass.