We’ve installed several vinyl sliding-glass patio doors recently, and although I was reluctant at first, I have since become a fan of these doors. My reluctance came from a couple of decades of trying to repair and having to replace the old-school aluminum and wood sliding doors.
Wood and aluminum expand and contract with changes in heat and humidity, which affect the performance and will shorten the life of these types of doors. The great thing about the new-age vinyl doors is that vinyl is much more stable during the heat and humidity changes, and the result is a door that will last a very long time.