Patio doors can be made of numerous materials, including wood. But wood patio doors are not necessarily made only of wood because some may have steel in their core. Further, fiberglass or glass doors may have wood as their frames and the same thing goes with doors that have foam insulation at their centre.

Regardless of the combination, wood remains to be the most popular choice of material when it comes to patio doors. The primary reason is its natural beauty and resistance to scratches. The only problem is that wood is vulnerable to weather damage but advances in technology have paved the way of countering them through the use of double finish paints or stains to protect them from weather elements such as sun and rain.

Use of Hardwood and Softwood

Both hardwood and softwood are used in patio doors. The distinction is not based on the “hardness” of the wood but on the tree species where the wood is from. Both the hardwood and the softwood have pros and cons. For instance, there are some types of hardwood that are vulnerable to moisture while others may be too heavy to function as patio doors. Always weigh the advantages and disadvantages before you make a choice.

Popular Species of Wood Used

Here are some of the more popular species used in building wood patio doors:

• Poplar – this is ideal because it is inexpensive and accepts paints and/or stains well
• Red Oak – this is the most abundant and therefore the most popular choice of hardwood. Its course grain provides a natural resistance to abuse and moisture.
• Ash – this type of wood is slightly harder than red oak.
• Hickory – this is the heaviest and strongest of all hardwood. It is best used in rustic applications. (i.e. log cabins)
• White Oak – this is the best all-around wood because of its capacity to resist water and wear and tear. It is commonly used in boats and barrels of wine and whisky.
• Walnut – this is a tough and dark hardwood that comes with the signature blonde streaks. It stains to a great finish. However, it is only second to cherry as the choice for furniture.
• Cherry – the wood from the cherry tree darkens when exposed to light and as it ages too. It is study, resists warping and stains very well.
• Mahogany – this is a type of tropical wood that rarely warps and is therefore very durable. It is reddish-brown in color.

Other popular types of wood sought as building materials include the Spanish cedar. If you want to know how the wood fares in contrast to your existing home design, there are companies that offer sample kits that contain the above wood samples in thin, rectangular strips.