Entry door
Steel Entry Doors
Hinged steel exterior doors for front, back and garage-to-home entrances.
- Operation
- Side-hinged swing door
- Often considered for
- Main entrances, Back entrances, Garage-to-home entrances
Doors
Entry and Patio Doors for Ontario Homes
Compare entry-door materials and glazed patio systems by construction, operation, appearance and practical use.
Door types
Start with the opening you need to plan
Entry doors and patio systems serve different openings. Start with how the entrance is used and how the door needs to move.
Entry door
Fibreglass Entry Doors
Fibreglass exterior doors with customizable panel, finish and glass possibilities.
- Operation
- Side-hinged swing door
- Often considered for
- Main entrances, Back entrances, Entrances where a wood-look option is being considered
Patio door
Sliding Patio Doors
Horizontally sliding glazed doors for patio, terrace and garden access.
- Operation
- One or more panels slide horizontally on a track
- Often considered for
- Patio access, Terrace access, Garden access
Large-opening patio door
Lift-and-Slide Doors
Large glazed panels that lift from their closed position before sliding horizontally.
- Operation
- Handle-operated lift followed by horizontal sliding
- Often considered for
- Wide patio or terrace openings, Projects prioritizing panoramic views, Large glazed wall compositions
Choosing a door
Match the door type to how the opening will be used
Appearance matters, but operation, access, daylight, exposure, clearance and project scope are stronger starting points.
Plan an everyday exterior entrance
Compare steel and fibreglass by appearance, weather exposure, panel and glass choices, and routine care.
Prioritize a wood-look entrance
Fibreglass doors are available with smooth surfaces as well as textured, stain-like finishes that resemble wood.
Connect a room to a patio or garden
A conventional sliding patio door provides glazed access without a swinging panel projecting into the room or outdoor space.
Plan a larger glazed opening
Lift-and-slide systems use specialized hardware for larger panels and require closer coordination of structure, sill, access and installation.
Compare doors
Compare use, operation, daylight and customization
See how the four categories differ in operation, daylight, appearance and typical use.
| Door type | Primary use | Operation | Daylight and view | Maintenance considerations | Customization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steel Doors | Main entrances, Back entrances | Side-hinged swing door | Solid-panel and door-glass combinations vary by design. | Clean the door using guidance appropriate to its finish. | Panel designs available with the door model; Coordinated exterior and interior finish choices |
| Fibreglass Doors | Main entrances, Back entrances | Side-hinged swing door | Solid-panel and door-glass combinations vary by design. | Routine care depends on the finish and weather exposure, but fibreglass does not need the same refinishing schedule as natural wood. | Smooth panel appearances where supported; Wood-look textures and stain-like finishes where supported |
| Sliding Patio Doors | Patio access, Terrace access | One or more panels slide horizontally on a track | Large glazed sections prioritize daylight and views. | Keep the track and threshold clear according to product guidance. | Two-panel and wider configurations where available; Frame finishes offered with the door model |
| Lift and Slide Doors | Wide patio or terrace openings, Projects prioritizing panoramic views | Handle-operated lift followed by horizontal sliding | Large glazed sections prioritize daylight and views. | Tracks, thresholds, seals and hardware require care appropriate to a large-panel system. | Two-panel and multi-panel layouts where available; Large fixed and operating glazed sections |
Entrance versus patio systems
Two different ways to define an opening
Steel and fibreglass products are hinged entrance doors, commonly selected around panel appearance, glass, exposure, swing and hardware.
Sliding patio and lift-and-slide systems use broad glazed panels for outdoor access. Their panel arrangement, clear opening, threshold, track and surrounding structure shape the project.
Discuss a door openingDoor options
Choose glass, finishes and hardware together
Available choices vary by door type. Start with the opening and the way the door will operate, then build the rest of the design around it.
Colours and finishes
Compare colours and finishes available with the chosen entry door or patio-door frame.
Decorative and privacy glass
Coordinate glass size, appearance and privacy with the specific panel or glazed-door system.
Hardware and locks
Choose handles, hinges or sliding hardware, and locks that work with the door.
Sizing and configuration
Measure the opening and plan the swing or panel arrangement, threshold, and usable opening before ordering.
Installation overview
Plan the product and the opening together
Door installation begins with the existing opening, the way the door needs to operate, and the finishing work around it.
Talk through the entrance
Tell us how the entrance or patio opening is used and what you want to change.
Measure and inspect
We review the frame, sill, structure, weather exposure, access, drainage, and surrounding finishes.
Choose the door
Select the operation, swing or panel arrangement, glass, finish, hardware, and threshold.
Install and review
We install and adjust the door, check its operation and seals, clean the work area, and explain routine care.
Selected work
Entry and patio doors installed by Proplas
See examples of entry doors and large glazed patio openings from completed work.
Door selection questions
Common questions about choosing a door
These answers explain the main differences between the four categories.
How do I choose between an entry door and a patio-door system?
Begin with the opening's purpose. Steel and fibreglass are hinged entrance-door materials; sliding patio and lift-and-slide systems are glazed options for outdoor access and wider openings.
What is the practical difference between steel and fibreglass entry doors?
The exterior material and appearance are the main distinctions. Steel is a practical, durable choice, while fibreglass offers smooth and wood-look finishes. Compare the complete door, including its core, frame, glass, seals and hardware.
How is lift-and-slide different from a conventional patio slider?
A lift-and-slide handle raises the operating panel before horizontal movement and lowers it again when closed. It is generally considered for larger, more specialized glazed openings.
When do I choose the door options?
We measure the opening first, then review the glass, finish, hardware, threshold and installation details before the door is ordered.