San Diego Sliding Glass Doors

Popular Local Trends & Styles

• Sliding Screen¹ Doors

  Mosquitoes are a growing problem in San Diego, especially in the coastal communities in North County. Warm weather and high tides create breeding grounds for these pests. Homeowners on the coast and even inland are adding sliding screens to their patio doors. Sliding screen doors help keep the insects out so you can enjoy the weather and coastal air. Self-closing screen doors close with just a light touch, which can be great for family foot traffic and entertaining guests indoors and out.

• Modern and Contemporary Style

  San Diego is home to an eclectic mix of home styles. But modern, mid-century modern, and contemporary houses are the most common. Sliding glass doors with sleek lines and thin, minimalist designs match the modern style homes. They can also add a contemporary touch for homeowners looking to upgrade more traditional homes like the picturesque Victorians found in Heritage Park.

• Sliding Pocket Door

  In La Jolla and other oceanside neighborhoods, homeowners are upgrading from traditional sliding doors to pocket doors and bringing the beach into their home. Pocket patio doors are sliding glass doors with multiple panels that open up and tuck into pockets to create wider entryways. Depending on your wall space, you can have anything from a double sliding patio door to pocket doors with up to 10 panels.

• Blinds and Shutters 

  While there are many window coverings for sliding glass doors, San Diegans prefer shutters and blinds to decorate their patio entrances and provide privacy. Plantation shutters glide along an overhung track, functioning much like a sliding door. Vertical blinds can be opened to provide some light or pushed out of the way to reveal your sliding patio door. Built-in blinds are great for pets and kids. The blinds and cords stay out of the way and, when opened, block only a small portion of your sliding doors.

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 Customizations²

In Southern California, design trends are as eclectic as the architectural styles. Homeowners are incorporating a mix of metals — brass, matte black, gold, silver, polished chrome, bronze, and polished nickel — in their hardware and fixtures for more complex, interesting designs. A variety of grille profiles can complement the contemporary design trends or throw back to some of the more traditional architecture.

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

San Diego Climate Recommendations

San Diego’s year-round beautiful weather is classified as a Mediterranean climate, which is common in coastal cities. Summers are dry, warm, and sunny. Energy efficient glass is recommended to protect against these conditions. Winters are wetter and cooler, but precipitation and temperature don’t vary as much as in other locations. Materials and finishes that can hold up to the salty air and dry Santa Ana winds can help preserve the appearance and performance of your sliding glass door.

Why Choose Pella?

Find a Pella Showroom

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.

•   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.

•   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 choose the type of glass for my Pella windows and doors?

  • Choosing the right glass can make a big difference in the comfort and energy efficiency of your home. Pella's InsulShield Low-E Glass Collection offers our most innovative and energy-saving choices — and is designed to meet a variety of specific needs. Whatever your climate, we make it easy to choose the glass that's just right for you.
    
    Pella offers the energy-efficient options that will meet or exceed ENERGY STAR® certification in all 50 states. Some Pella products may not meet ENERGY STAR certification in all 50 states. Learn more about Pella's energy efficient glass options.

•   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.