Northern California Sliding Glass Doors

Popular Local Trends & Styles

Large glass panels allow you to admire your outdoor environment but can leave little room for privacy. California homeowners are opting for between-the-glass blinds to provide cover for their sliding patio doors without getting in the way. Built-in blinds allow you to choose how much light you want to let in and close off your big glass panels at night — all without getting in the way of foot traffic or operation of the sliding door.

• Sliding Screen Door Northern California has seen more than double the number of mosquitoes in recent years in cities from Fresno to San Jose. Sliding patio screen doors are increasing in popularity as a result. Screens¹ let you bring in the fresh air from a Diablo wind while keeping the mosquitoes out. Self-closing screen doors shut with a simple nudge so the bugs are kept at  bay.
• Sliding French Patio Doors

  Traditional wood patio doors are as popular on the San Francisco Peninsula as they are up in Lake Tahoe. Many homeowners choose to combine the elegant look of French patio doors with the ease-of-use of sliding doors. Wooden sliding doors achieve the classic French look but give you the usable space that standard swinging French patio doors lack.

• Modern Style

  Homeowners replacing sliding glass doors are upgrading to a more contemporary style. Modern sliding doors feature sleek styling and clean sightlines. The frames are thinner, which gives you more natural light and the appearance of an even larger sliding glass door. Modern styles are available in wood as well as vinyl and fiberglass, so there’s a contemporary choice for every budget and you can find the best sliding glass door for your home.

• Sliding Glass Doors With Built-In-Blinds

  Large glass panels allow you to admire your outdoor environment but can leave little room for privacy. California homeowners are opting for between-the-glass blinds to provide cover for their sliding patio doors without getting in the way. Built-in blinds allow you to choose how much light you want to let in and close off your big glass panels at night — all without getting in the way of foot traffic or operation of the sliding door.

¹Warning: Use caution when children or pets are around open windows and doors. Screens are not designed to retain children or pets.

Product Lines

• Architect Series® Traditional
• Architect Series® Contemporary
• Pella® Reserve™ - Traditional
• Pella® Reserve™ - Contemporary
• Pella® Lifestyles Series
• Pella® Impervia®

Recommended Customizations¹

Minimalist sliding door hardware pairs best with the modern style and provides a clean, simple look for your home. Square grille profiles add a touch of style and complement contemporary designs. There are several sliding glass door screen options, including screen doors that are retractable or nearly invisible. Find more customizations here.

¹Not all customizations are available in all Pella product lines.

Northern California Climate Recommendations

From the San Francisco Bay to the Sierra Nevada mountains and the valleys in between, Northern California has a broad range of climates. Low-E insulating glass helps protect against the California sun. Materials and finishes that can hold up to the area’s diverse climate help preserve the look and performance of your sliding patio door.

Why Choose Pella?

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Frequently Asked Questions

•   What factory-prefinished stain and paint colors are available on Pella products?

  • Wood Windows and Patio Doors – Wood interiors offer more design flexibility — windows and patio doors can be stained or painted to match your decor.  Explore the interior and exterior finish options available for Pella's wood products.

    As part of Pella Corporation’s commitment to environmentally-friendly practices, we use Water-Based Green Chemistry. Our factory-applied stain is water-based, which significantly decreases the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted into the air.

    Fiberglass Windows and Patio Doors – Available in colors offering the quality look of painted wood — including a dual-color option. Explore the interior and exterior finish options available for Pella's fiberglass products.

    Vinyl Windows and Patio Doors – Pella's unique vinyl formula is performance-tested for excellent weathering, durability, and color retention. Solid- and Dual-Color frames are available. Explore the interior and exterior finish options available for Pella's vinyl products.

    Fiberglass and Steel Entry Doors – You'll save time and finishing costs when your entry door arrives prefinished in your choice of paint or stain color that will look beautiful for years. Explore interior and exterior finish options for Pella's fiberglass and steel entry doors.

•   How do I apply paint or stain to my Pella wood windows and patio doors?

  • Learn how to paint your wood interior finish, prepare products for finishing, finish removable grilles, select the right paint or stain and more in the Pella Help Library.

•   What general maintenance is required for my Pella windows and patio doors?

  • Pella recommends you inspect your windows and patio doors at least annually as part of a home checkup. Maintenance can prolong the life of your Pella windows and doors and will help ensure maximum warranty coverage.
    
    As needed, clean, repaint or restain your windows and patio doors, and recaulk around them to help maintain optimal performance. Also, be sure to regularly check for leaks and improper drainage above or around vents and sprinkler systems that may subject your windows and patio doors to prolonged water exposure.
    
    Review the Maintenance section of the Pella Window and Patio Door Owner's Manual for additional details about how to properly maintain the interior and exterior of your Pella windows and patio doors.

•   Which Pella doors are available with SmartKey® Technology?

  • SmartKey Technology is available, and comes standard, on Pella's fiberglass and steel entry doors.  Architect Series® sliding, French and hinged patio doors with hardware from the Rustic, Classic or Modern Collection will have SmartKey Technology.

    Learn more about Pella's hardware collections and how to use SmartKey Technology.

•   Where can I get paint or stain to match the interior and exterior of my Pella products?

  • Paints and stains for Pella products are available in quarts and gallons via special order through Lowe's stores or your local Pella Window and Door Showroom. You will need to provide the color of the paint or stain that you need to place an order.

    Or you may take the color or stain desired along with the substrate you are trying to match to your local Sherwin-Williams® or home improvement store and have them custom match the color.

    If you don't have a Pella paint chip or just need a small bottle of touch up paint or stain for dings and scratches, submit a request to Pella Corporation's customer support team or call (877) 473-5527 for further assistance.

    Be sure to consult with your local paint or finish store representative or professional to help address your specific finishing needs and review the finishing section of your Pella Owner's Manual for details about how to properly finish your Pella products.

•   How do I clean my Pella windows and patio doors? What can I use to clean them?

  • Clean the interior and exterior frame surfaces with warm, soapy water and rinse thoroughly. Stubborn stains and deposits may be removed with mineral spirits. Or Pine-Sol® can be applied with a clean, dry cloth or towel. Do not use abrasives. Do not scrape or use tools that might damage the surface. Should you need it, touch-up paint is available at the Pella Window and Door Showroom nearest you.

    Clean the window sill using the brush attachment on a vacuum and vacuum off any debris.

    It is normal for water to accumulate in the sill and track. On products with weep holes, the water is intended to drain to the outside via the drainage or "weep" holes.

    • To clean the weep (drainage) system, check to make sure that the weep holes are clear of obstruction (dirt, sand, or building materials).
    • To clean the weep holes, use a small, soft brush to clear the opening. Weep holes may be located both inside and outside the window in the bottom of the frame. If the window is "stacked," there may be weep holes between the units.

    WARNINGS:

    • Do not use abrasive or caustic solvents as they may damage your windows or patio doors.
    • Do not scrape or use tools that might damage the surface. 
    • Do not power-wash.

    Review the Cleaning section of the Pella Window and Patio Door Owner's Manual for additional details about how to properly clean your Pella windows and patio doors.

•   How do I clean and restore shine to the handles and hardware on my windows and doors?

  • A soft cloth and mild cleaner may be used on most Pella hardware finishes. 

    Living finish Oil-Rubbed Bronze hardware will develop its own unique patina with use, care and handling. Simply wipe the hardware with a soft cloth so as not to damage the finish. The changing of color on the hardware is not a warranty issue.

    The solid brass hardware used on some previous vintages of Pella wood hinged (French) patio doors has a clear protective coating to prevent tarnishing. Download instructions to care for solid brass hardware.

    For additional information about how to properly care for your Pella windows and doors, refer to the Cleaning section of the Pella Window and Patio Door Owner's Manual.  

    For further assistance, submit a request to Pella Corporation's customer support team or call (877)-473-5527.

•   How do I lock and unlock my sliding patio door?

  • The thumbturn lock is located behind or above the door handle. To lock the door, turn the thumbturn lock to a vertical locked position. The locking system will engage when the door is closed. To unlock the door, turn the thumbturn lock in the opposite direction to a horizontal position.

    If your sliding patio door is equipped with a footbolt lock, it has two positions. One allows the door to be latched when it's about 3 inches open; the other provides extra security when the door is fully closed.

    To engage the lock, move the lock handle toward the side of the door. To disengage the lock, move the lock handle toward the center of the door.

    Review the Sliding Patio Door Screen section of the Pella Window and Patio Door Owner's Manual for additional details about the operation and care of your sliding patio door. If you continue to have difficulty, request a service visit consultation from your local showroom or call (800) 242-1008 to find a Pella service location nearest you.

•   How do I remove the screen from my sliding patio door?

  • Download instructions for the material and vintage of your sliding patio door.

    Wood Sliding Patio Doors

    • Architect Series® (12/2004 – current) or Designer Series® (3/2005 – current) sliding patio doors (includes instructions for self-closing screens)
    • Architect Series (3/2002–12/2004), Designer Series (3/1997–12/2004), Pella® 450 Series (1991–8/1997) sliding patio doors
    • Pella 450 Series (9/1997 – current) sliding patio doors
    • Pella 450 Series (1991 – current) sliding patio doors

    Fiberglass Sliding Patio Doors

    • Pella Impervia® (2005 – current) sliding patio doors

    Vinyl Sliding Patio Doors

    • Encompass (Thermastar) by Pella (2003 – current) sliding patio doors
    • Pella® 350 Series (2010 – current) sliding patio doors

    We try to include information for a large portion of our various products and vintages; however, we do not have every older set of instructions available online. If you have questions regarding a non-current product not found on our site, submit a request to Pella Corporation's customer support team or call (877)-473-5527 for further assistance.
    
    If you have difficulty removing the screen, request a service visit or call (800) 242-1008 to find a Pella service location nearest you.

    WARNING: Screen will not stop child or pet from falling out the window. Keep child or pet away from open door.

    Refer to the Pella Window and Patio Door Owner's Manual for more information on operation, recommended care, and maintenance for your Pella sliding patio doors.