Most Durable Patio Doors

Fiberglass

• Many patio-door styles are made out of a composite fiberglass created by mixing fine glass fibers with an epoxy resin mixture. Fiberglass patio doors are well known for their durability. Fiberglass does not warp, rust or absorb water like some wood patio doors can, and according to iossisidingandwindows.com, fiberglass doors can be made to mimic the look of traditional wood grain. Most fiberglass doors stand up well to both hot and cold temperatures, and they are almost as strong and sturdy as solid wood and metal doors. Fiberglass can be wiped clean, and it can be painted or stained as you wish.

Vinyl

• Jeld-Wen.com indicates that vinyl patio doors are not only durable but also energy efficient. Vinyl patio doors offer a clean, modern look, especially when they are paired with matching vinyl-framed windows in your home. Depending on the manufacturer, you may be able to order custom vinyl patio doors in almost any color. In addition, vinyl patio doors are low-maintenance, resist fading and can be wiped clean. Although vinyl can eventually crack or sometimes warp after many years or under extreme weather conditions, most vinyl patio doors are designed to provide energy efficiency with little to no maintenance.

Metal

• You may also find a substantial selection of metal patio doors, including steel and aluminum. Metal is one of the strongest options for exterior doors, and many types of steel doors receive high ratings for fire safety. HomeTips.com points out that although metal doors are strong and stand up well to extreme conditions with little maintenance, they are subject to dents, which can be difficult to remove. Steel and aluminum doors can also scratch easily, and if you do not repair chips and scratches, they can quickly turn into rust spots.

Safety Glass

• The majority of patio doors are made with tempered glass, also known as safety glass, but it's important to make sure your patio doors are built with it. According to AndersenWindows.com, tempered glass is up to four times stronger than ordinary glass. Tempered glass is heat-treated during manufacturing so that if it is shattered, is breaks into small pebbles rather than cracking into dangerous shards like untreated glass does.