The penetration of vinyl into the patio door market has been slower than that for windows, but sales are increasing steadily. Much of that growth, to date, has been in traditional sliding models. That is expected to increase, but more manufacturers and suppliers are also targeting upscale applications with swinging models and new styles of sliders.

Looking at the existing market, Yvan Houle, sales manager, for Thermoplast, Inc., states, “There is an increased acceptance of vinyl sliding patio doors in the market. The pressure of energy efficiency programs are generating more demand for PVC sliders.”

The extruder, based in Laval, PQ, also sees code requirements driving manufacturers to offer more upgraded products. Different specifications in different locations are forcing the fabricators to provide products with better performance levels, so they could exceed the new requirements of the different market places they are involved with. “We now see, as standard products, units with Low-E glass and warm edge spacer, Houle reports. Many fabricators now carry only the DP-50 rated units to minimize their inventory.”

Peter Yuhas, sales manager for Window City, which offers vinyl patio doors to both fabricators and one-step distributors, attributes the success of vinyl doors to the previous success of vinyl windows. His company, based in Woodbridge, ON, targets the mid-price segment of the market and he suggests that at least in the new construction market, vinyl windows really gained acceptance first as an economy product. “Builders wouldn??™t touch it for patio doors,” he notes, however, because that??™s too much of a “wear and tear” product. Now builders are more comfortable with vinyl and see its value and for windows in both middle-market and upper-end housing, he states. As it??™s become more acceptable in general, builder are willing to look beyond the low-end for vinyl patio doors. They are aware of vinyl??™s low maintenance characteristics, and with more design “bells and whistles” builders are increasingly willing to pay more for vinyl patio doors, he states.

Moving Upscale

More bells and whistles, in terms of styles and options, are now being promoted by numerous manufacturers and suppliers. Soft-Lite Windows, for example, recently introduced a new line of doors, priced competitively with wood doors, because it saw a need for a high-end vinyl patio door in the market. A lot of customers are looking to augment their existing lines, states Patrick Thompson. In addition to its regular dealers, he notes, the company is also selling the products to other vinyl window fabricators, many which could not justify starting up their own production of these doors, due to the relatively low volumes. The swing and sliding vinyl doors, offered with simulated woodgrain interiors, provides another low-maintenance product to fill out their offerings.

Previously, homeowners buying vinyl windows from dealers might be dissatisfied with the choices in vinyl units available, Thompson explains. As a result, they would opt for wood and insulated steel patio doors. In some cases, this created problems because the doors wouldn??™t match the look of the windows.

As a higher end product, these doors provide a significant opportunity for dealers and fabricators, as they can be very profitable, he continues. So far, he adds, the reception in the market has been good. The majority of these doors, he notes, are selling with the woodgrain options with about a 50/50 split in its sales between its sliding and swinging models.

Veka, Inc., has also seen an opportunity in the market for higher end vinyl doors, states Mike Holmes, special accounts director. It is a relatively low-volume business, however, for many fabricators to take on on their own. That??™s why the extruder has opted to expand its own line and offer its customers special program, providing fabricated doors. It has added two types of swing doors, including a version designed with 5-inch stiles, a 6-inch header panel and 9-inch kick rail to provide a more traditional door look.

To date, the extruder??™s expanded line of vinyl doors has been well received by fabricators, he states. He agrees with other suppliers, noting that many vinyl manufacturers and their dealers see a need to broaden their lines and offer a swinging door model. Holmes sees this as a growing and profitable business, but there are some challenges, he adds. First, he notes, there??™s some sticker shock out there when it comes to these doors.

Particularly among fabricators, there are concerns whether the market will pay for these products. He points out, however, that higher costs should not be that surprising. It??™s not the vinyl content, he notes, as much as the other features, including multipoint hardware systems that makes these doors more expensive.

Dave Byers of L.B. Plastics, another vinyl extruder which offers swinging doors, also sees resistance to pricing. His company has offered these models for years, he notes, and it remains a relatively small portion of the business. “I still believe there??™s a market out there. It??™s a great product. But you really have to sell them.”

Houle sees vinyl swing doors gaining acceptance, noting that they have finally gained the attention of pre-hangers. A few years ago, when his company began selling vinyl swing door program through the traditional window fabricator??™s network, door jobbers were reluctant to consider PVC as a valid material. “Those days are gone,” he states.

By John Swanson