Check to see if all your windows are leaking as much as your door if so just replacing just one will not make a lot of difference.

How repairable are door and window leaks?

Is replacing everything with new always the solution? I haven’t seen any contractors that do anything other than install new doors and windows. Maybe repairs to fix leaks are not worth their time.

20 year old builder grade are not really worth doing anything with repair wise typically. I would look into new doors if you can swing it. Make sure you get a quality brand (better brands can be regional) and look for a quality install with proper air sealing.

You might want to consider having an energy audit done on your home. Many utility companies offer this for free. You’ll get an idea on what’s leaking the most. And, many of these services provide weather stripping at no charge.

I noticed the issue many years ago and have been living with it. i just don’t want to keep buying new doors and windows every 10 or 15 years even if I get higher quality replacements.

I would get the energy audit, which costs you nothing. Utility company, will usually do that. Then you know where the leaks are, and can get things weatherstripped properly, If the doors are in good condition, then maybe its just the weatherstripping that is worn out. You might also think about storm doors for patio doors. You should be able to get them most places. Here is an example. https://www.columbiawindows.com/product-detail/aluminum-sliding-patio-storm-door-1155/

1) Energy audits are great and everyone should get one... although it sounds like you have your issue pretty well defined in this case

2) For $2500 you'll likely get a new, builder grade version of what you have. High quality sliders run a bit more than that these days.

3) I'd highly advise against an aluminum storm unit being installed over the existing unless you rarely use the door AND it is not vinyl. They are cumbersome to operate and can cause issues when installed over a vinyl door, just as its not advisabvle to install storms over vinyl windows.

I’m not sure the energy audit will be useful. The energy audits seem to be done via an online questionaire where you give them your address. They look up the specs of your home and evaluate the answers you give in the questionnaire.

@jaxo , that is not a true energy audit. A real energy audit is based primarily on a blower door test in the home, completed by a certified professional.... again, that may or may not be super helpful in this case regardless, but do be weary of shady companies that offer the "energy assessments" and things of that nature that are not a true energy audit.

The only other energy audits I found were from HVAC, window and insulation contractors that have a conflict of interest.

They are sure to find problems that they will say are solved by products and services they sell..

Rather than replacing the doors with ones of similar quality I'd look at adding weatherstripping. Moving to a high quality new slider that will give you a serious bump in efficiency and sealing is going to cost 2-3X your $2500 quote (I'd expect the door to cost $3-5K plus installation). You might also consider switching to a French door, as they are easier to achieve higher efficiency with and may cost less.

I have yet to see a sliding glass door that didn't eventually leak air and/or water. I had mine taken out and replaced with a normal hung exterior door and a section of wall. So glad I did. I lost some window area, but I don't miss it at all.

" I initially got a rough quote around $2500 as well, which seemed steep, but it made a huge difference. "

Cost is not always the proper metric for a quality product. No brand and model shared makes your review virtually useless. Unless of course your plan is to come back and change the post to spam.

3 times the cost to get a better door vs a standard quality door sounds outrageous.

A better quality, thicker, multipane glass, better frame and better wheels to slide on doesn’t make sense to justify the price going up 3X for the same size door.

An Audi doesn’t cost 3X the price of a similar VW.

" A better quality, thicker, multipane glass, better frame and better wheels to slide on doesn’t make sense to justify the price going up 3X for the same size door. "

Depends on how poor of a quality product the initial door is. Builder grade can be awful.

I don’t know that the quality of the existing doors are that bad.

It may be an installation/adjustment issue causing air leaks that could follow to new and more expensive replacement doors.

Perfect, not only did Nick return to spam but since the initial post was removed as spam, he posted the same diatribe again replete with the spam!