Best Types of Large Sliding Glass Doors for Expansive Views

Indoor-outdoor living has become a popular feature in both new home designs and renovation projects. Homeowners want to be close to nature, choosing walls of glass to take in expansive views and large sliding glass doors that connect to a deck or patio. 

While traditional sliding doors come in just a few standard sizes, the possibilities for custom configurations today are nearly endless! From innovative styles to energy-efficient materials, here are expert tips on selecting those extra-large sliding glass doors you’ve been dreaming about.

Styles of Large Sliding Glass Doors

Conventional sliding glass doors feature two glass panels, with one of them sliding along a metal track to stack behind the inoperable side. This traditional style is space-efficient and easy to operate, but it's just the beginning of what’s possible!      

Double Sliding Patio Doors

A patio door usually has two or more framed glass panels, and at least one of them opens. A double sliding patio door opens by having both of the panels slide sideways over fixed panels on either side. Tight seals between the panels keep the weather out. A sliding patio door always has some door panels covering part of the opening. 

Marvin’s Ultimate Sliding Patio Door in wood

For the renovation of this classic mid-century modern home, the architects chose premier manufacturer Marvin’s Ultimate Sliding Patio Door to complement the large fixed-glass windows. The patio door’s wood interior has been custom-stained to match the home’s original wood finishes, and the homeowners chose black aluminum exterior cladding. The Marvin Signature Ultimate Sliding Patio Door is available up to 16 feet wide, so it’s an ideal way to create a large window wall with access to the outdoors.

A renovated mid-century modern home with Marvin’s Ultimate Sliding Patio Door

Multi-Sliding Glass Doors

Unlike a patio door, multi-slide doors have several moving panels. The panels overlap so that when you slide them open, they’ll stack off to the side for a larger opening. They can also be hidden in a wall pocket. Since the frames of each panel overlap at the edges, they have narrower framing and a wider glass area.

Blurring the lines between indoors and out, multi-panel sliding glass doors can replace large sections of wall, letting in natural light and dramatically expanding living space during pleasant weather. Multi-sliding glass doors are a great option when you want to create a “disappearing” wall between indoor and outdoor living areas.

Marvin Signature® Ultimate Multi-Slide Door

In this contemporary home, Marvin Signature Ultimate Multi-Slide Doors were chosen to create a sense of continuity between indoors and out. Each door is divided into three panels that stack off to one side, allowing two-thirds of the wall to be open. These extra large sliding glass doors must be engineered for performance too. Marvin sliding glass doors set a high standard for quality with insulating glass, UV coatings and seals that keep the weather out.

Marvin Signature® Ultimate Multi-Slide Door, three panel configuration

The panels can move in a single direction or part in the center; push-button motorization makes operation easy. Marvin’s Signature Ultimate Multi-Slide Door panels can be configured to cover openings up to 60 feet wide and 12 feet high, and retractable screens are available for year-round comfort. For added security, the Lock Status Sensor option connects with your smart home to indicate when the door is closed and locked. The optional low-profile sill creates a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces.

Marvin Signature® Ultimate Multi-Slide Door with a low-profile sill

Lift & Slide Doors

Similar to Multi-Slide doors, Lift & Slide doors are sliding doors made up of several glass panels that stack neatly to one side when the door is open. They are called “Lift & Slide” because the door panels slide effortlessly, using a carefully-engineered carriage system that lifts panels off their track for weightless operation – no motorization is necessary. The panels can move in a single direction or part in the center to create a “disappearing” glass wall. For seamless transitions, Lift & Slide doors also have a recessed sill option and a wall pocket to conceal the open panels.

Ultimate Lift & Slide Door panels with recessed storage

These homeowners chose a multi-slide door with a Lift & Slide mechanism for easy manual operation on a large wall opening:

Marvin’s Signature® Ultimate Lift & Slide Door panels

Marvin’s Signature® Ultimate Lift & Slide Door panels can be configured to cover openings up to 47 feet wide and 12 feet high. Suitable for traditional or modern architecture, the panels offer side stiles and top rail in both 4 and 6-inch widths. Lift & Slide doors are ideal for renovation projects and offer nearly endless customization options.

Sliding French Doors

If a sliding glass patio door has divided lights or a grid, it’s typically called a French door, and just like a patio door the Sliding French Door always has some door panels covering part of the opening. Sliding French Doors allow homeowners to maintain traditional architecture while expanding the view. 

This living room uses three pairs of sliding French doors to provide better views and access to the pool area while maintaining the home’s traditional charm.

Marvin’s Ultimate Sliding French Doors

The large sliding patio door in this cabin-style home puts a modern twist on classic French doors.

Marvin’s Ultimate Sliding French Door, 4 panels

The Marvin Signature® Ultimate Sliding French Door combines the elegance of a French door with the space-saving design of a large sliding glass door. The traditional wood design features wide side stiles and bottom rails, and a choice of either raised or flat panels. It can be configured to fit openings up to nine feet tall and 16 feet wide, using a single, double, triple, or quad panel design.

These doors are fully customizable using a variety of window grids and nearly limitless interior and exterior colors.

Best Materials For Large Glass Sliding Doors

Large sliding glass doors have unique challenges to meet. They must be engineered to withstand extreme weather conditions and temperatures. They need to be easy to operate, with durable hardware components that last for decades. Finally, they need to match your home’s architectural style. 

Wood

The sliding glass door material with the most custom finish options is usually wood or wood with aluminum exterior cladding for durability. You can choose the species of wood, the wood stain color, or a paint color to create sliding glass doors that are unique to your home. Combine painted door exteriors with stained interior frames, or vice versa.

Marvin Ultimate Collection Patio Door and Awning Windows with fixed panes above

The Marvin Signature Ultimate collection includes fixed specialty-shape windows and awning windows that can be combined with sliding glass doors to create the ultimate window wall.

Fiberglass

For durability and energy efficiency in a harsh climate, fiberglass is a popular material for large sliding glass doors. Fiberglass offers superior thermal performance and excellent color retention over time. Fiberglass options are available in Marvin’s Signature Modern and Elevate collections. Interior finishes include aluminum, factory-finished pine, or bare pine that can be custom painted.

Marvin Elevate sliding glass doors help these homeowners integrate indoor-outdoor living. 

Marvin Elevate Sliding Glass Patio Door

A fiberglass door from the Modern collection suits this contemporary dining room perfectly:

Marvin Modern Multi-Slide Glass Door

Find the Best Sliding Glass Doors at Ring’s End

Marvin sliding patio doors, French doors, and extra large sliding glass doors are available in an impressive range of materials, with custom options to suit any project. Whether you’re building a new home, undergoing an extensive renovation, or simply replacing a sliding glass door, there is a Marvin sliding glass door product for you!

Check out the door styles, available materials, and color options available for Marvin’s best-selling sliding glass doors:

Ring’s End is the premier resource for Marvin sliding glass patio doors and multi-slide doors. You’ll love Marvin’s extensive selection of designer door and window options and their uncompromising quality. Our team is ready to help you navigate through the choices, set up an installation plan, and deliver your new doors safely and efficiently. You can even schedule an in-home appointment with one of our Marvin experts. Get started today!