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Pool House & Cabana Doors: What Works BestIndoor-Outdoor Kitchen Design: Passthrough Windows & Folding DoorsAluminum Pergola Installation: A Complete GuidePergola Size Guide: How to Choose the Right Fit for Your PatioBest Sliding Glass Doors for Pool & Patio Areas in 2026Pergola vs Gazebo vs Pavilion: Which Is Right for You?How Much Value Does a Pergola Add to Your Home in 2026?Pergola vs Patio Cover: What's the Difference in 2026?Pool House & Cabana Doors: What Works BestIndoor-Outdoor Kitchen Design: Passthrough Windows & Folding DoorsAluminum Pergola Installation: A Complete GuidePergola Size Guide: How to Choose the Right Fit for Your PatioBest Sliding Glass Doors for Pool & Patio Areas in 2026Pergola vs Gazebo vs Pavilion: Which Is Right for You?How Much Value Does a Pergola Add to Your Home in 2026?Pergola vs Patio Cover: What's the Difference in 2026?
Gladiator
Vol. IJacksonville, FloridaSaturday, September 5, 2026

The Gladiator Dispatch

Doors · Windows · Modern Living — Straight From the Factory Floor

Pool House & Cabana Doors: What Works Best
Sliding Doors

Pool House & Cabana Doors: What Works Best

By the Gladiator Window & Doors Editorial Team — written by our in-house manufacturing and specification experts in Jacksonville, FL. What doors work best for a pool house or cabana? Bi-fold (accordion) doors are the top recommendation for most pool...

11 min readSeptember 2, 2026
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Why Gladiator · What to Watch For

What Sets Us Apart

01
Factory-Direct Pricing
You buy straight from the maker — no dealer markup, no showroom overhead. Watch for "direct" sellers who still route through a middleman.
02
Real Thermal Performance
NFRC-rated U-factors and genuine thermal breaks — not just a sleek frame. If a quote skips the numbers, ask why.
03
Coastal-Grade Aluminum
6063-T5 alloy engineered for salt air and wind load, backed by a 15-year warranty. Thin extrusions are the red flag.
04
Freight Done Right
Insured, liftgate-equipped, nationwide delivery with a Bill of Lading on every shipment. No surprise dock fees.
Latest Stories
How Much Value Does a Pergola Add to Your Home in 2026?
Pergolas

How Much Value Does a Pergola Add to Your Home in 2026?

How Much Value Does a Pergola Add to a Home? A well-designed pergola typically adds between 5% and 15% to a home's resale value, depending on...

Jun 26, 2026 · 6 minRead
Pergola vs Patio Cover: What's the Difference in 2026?
Pergolas

Pergola vs Patio Cover: What's the Difference in 2026?

What Is the Difference Between a Pergola and a Patio Cover? A pergola is an open-roof structure with spaced beams or adjustable louvers that filter light...

Jun 25, 2026 · 7 minRead
Attached vs Freestanding Pergola: Pros & Cons (2026)
Pergolas

Attached vs Freestanding Pergola: Pros & Cons (2026)

What Is the Difference Between an Attached and a Freestanding Pergola? An attached pergola is fixed directly to an existing structure — typically your home's exterior...

Jun 24, 2026 · 9 minRead
Custom Aluminum Pergola Cost: What to Expect in 2025
Pergolas

Custom Aluminum Pergola Cost: What to Expect in 2025

How Much Does a Custom Aluminum Pergola Cost? A custom aluminum pergola typically costs between $8,000 and $35,000 or more, depending on size, configuration, features, and...

Jun 23, 2026 · 8 minRead
Aluminum vs Wood Pergola: Which Is Better for Your Home?
Pergolas

Aluminum vs Wood Pergola: Which Is Better for Your Home?

What Is the Main Difference Between an Aluminum and a Wood Pergola? The core difference is durability and long-term maintenance: aluminum pergolas are engineered to resist...

Jun 22, 2026 · 7 minRead
Outdoor Pergola Planning: Design Your Perfect Retreat
Pergolas

Outdoor Pergola Planning: Design Your Perfect Retreat

Outdoor Pergola Planning: Design Your Perfect Retreat with layout tips, materials, shade ideas, and budget-savvy steps to build a stylish backyard escape.

Jan 26, 2026 · 5 minRead
Best Pergola Materials: Wood vs Aluminum vs Steel Guide
Pergolas

Best Pergola Materials: Wood vs Aluminum vs Steel Guide

Best Pergola Materials: Wood vs Aluminum vs Steel Guide reveals durability, cost, and style winners—build smarter and never regret your backyard upgrade.

Jan 10, 2026 · 5 minRead
Tips From the Floor
The Pro Desk
Tip No. 01
Measure the rough opening, not the old door
Order to the framed opening with proper deduction for shims and flashing. The most common sizing mistake on big panel systems.
Tip No. 02
Spec the glass before the frame color
Low-E coating and the right U-factor drive comfort and energy bills far more than finish. Lock performance first, looks second.
Tip No. 03
Plan the header for wide spans early
A 16-foot opening needs structural support designed in before drywall. Loop your contractor in at the quote stage, not install day.
Coming Down the Pipeline
New & Upcoming
Coming Soon

Slim-Frame Pivot Door 2.0

A narrower sightline, magnetic soft-close, and a concealed pivot hinge rated for oversized slabs.

Arriving Q3 2026
Coming Soon

Motorized Louvered Pergola

App-controlled aluminum louvers that pivot for sun or seal for rain, with integrated LED and a wind sensor.

Arriving Q3 2026
Coming Soon

Black-on-Black Bi-Fold Series

Matte black frames, black hardware, black track — a fully monochrome folding wall for modern builds.

Arriving Q4 2026
In This Issue · Outdoor Living

Define the Backyard. Aluminum Pergola Kits, Engineered to Last.

A patio without structure overhead always feels unfinished. See how a factory-direct aluminum pergola sharpens the architecture and creates a room you'll actually use.

Explore Pergolas
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