Series 3000 Traditional Sliding Glass Door

Power Savings

Thermal Education: Aluminum transfers energy very easily. This has wrongly been considered a negative trait but the fact is that very little energy is lost through the frame material. Other door materials absorb heat and cold into the frame, causing that material to fail prematurely. One might say that aluminum is a more intelligent building material in that it deals with such stress in a positive way by releasing the energy that would normally cause material failure as it does in vinyl and wood. Aluminum is thermally stable in that it does not swell and shrink when the temperature or humidity levels change. The fact is that very little actual energy is lost through the frame material.

Energy Ratings: In the Products section of our website we list several test results with varying types of glass, from standard insulated glass to high performance glass.

Air Leakage: Wood and vinyl swell and shrink as the weather changes. And like an old house they can creak and groan. DO NOT be fooled by those windows and doors that tout "U-value = energy efficiency." To understand the U-value test is to know that it is a misleading rating. During the test all weep holes, seams, etc are sealed shut? No wonder wood and vinyl perform so well in this "test" because only material is tested and not the product. Real conditions cause expansion and contraction, which allows energy to come right through the frame. Aluminum has infinitesimal movement during weather change, which causes it to be efficient year in and year out.

Flared Interlockers: Notice how the interlockers on all Fleetwood doors "wedge" into each other? This makes a rattle free union. Cheaper models rely solely on the brush weather-stripping. This causes more noise and air infiltration because the brush wears out.