Picking a Patio Door
Having a beautifully designed door for your patio space adds value and elegance to your home and can even make it more energy efficient. Before picking out the perfect patio doors, consider size, cost and style. Determine your budget and dimensions first to ensure that you’re prepared for installation.
It’s important to consider the style of the interior and exterior of your home. Internal blinds provide privacy and allow you to adjust the amount of light you let into your home. Built-in blinds create a more modern boho or farmhouse
style. For a more industrial look, pick steel patio doors with grilles.
Types of Patio Doors
There are a few main types of patio doors available.
Sliding Patio Doors
Sliding patio doors, also known as gliding patio doors, work for any structural frame. This type of door features a weather-tight seal to withstand high winds. They also allow for large amounts of air movement with the option to add a screen panel for proper ventilation. Sliding patio doors don’t swing out when opening, so you can place furniture where you want it without worrying about the doors hitting it. This helps you maximize your space.
Hinged or French Patio Doors
French patio doors are the perfect fit for elaborate décor. You’re able to achieve various arch designs and incorporate decorative glass and grilles. These doors come hinged. In many apartments, one of the patio doors is fixed in place so that it doesn’t swing open. To determine which side to secure into place, you have to figure out whether the door you’re replacing opens from the right or left. You’ll use this information to determine which side the door handle will go on when installing or replacing a single or double door on hinges.
Folding Patio Doors
Folding doors are very similar to French doors in design and
functionality. They utilize the mechanics of the sliding door. The doors glide on a track and fold out like hinged doors.
Patio Door Materials
Patio doors come in a wide variety of materials and styles to choose from. Here are the primary patio door materials and their benefits:
Aluminum
Aluminum material often has a wood core and resists rust and mildew. This material is durable against adverse weather and is ideal for moderate climates. The style of aluminum doors allows you to add decorative glass options as well.
Steel
Resistant to rot and warping, steel patio doors with a polyurethane core provide durability. This is the perfect patio door to meet your security needs. The steel is strong and even comes in various woodgrain options.
Vinyl
The most low-maintenance material is vinyl. It’s energy efficient and long lasting. This patio door material allows you to use decorative glass options as well.
Wood
Wood patio doors come in a variety of wood species to choose from, including pine. The design allows for decorative glass options that you can customize.
Glass
Patio doors with glass panes come with a variety of features to consider.
- U-Factor: The U-factor refers to the amount of non-solar heat lost through the window or glass. You want to find something with a low U-factor if you live in an area that gets cold.
- Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC): SHGC is the number that tells you how much solar heat the window transmits. If you live in a warmer climate, look for glass with a low SHGC to keep your house cool.
- Visible Transmittance (VT): VT lets you know how much natural light will come through the glass. The higher the VT rating, the more light that’ll shine through the glass. If you have house plants that require direct sunlight, glass panes with a high VT rating can be beneficial.
- Air Leakage: Air leakage refers to the overall insulation of the window. A well-insulated glass or window will have a lower air-leakage rating.
Patio Door Features
Consider the different types of patio door features before you buy your doors.
Grilles
Grilles make your space feel larger by producing the illusion of many panes of glass. They add elegance to the doorway and are most common on French patio doors.
Internal Blinds
Internal blinds don’t collect dust, so there’s no maintenance. They also provide your home with privacy. Internal blinds allow you to control the amount of sunlight coming through the patio door.
Locks
The patio or deck usually sits on the backside of the property. That’s why it’s important to add hardware such as dual locks on the patio door for security.
Screens
Patio doors with screens have better ventilation and allow for the flow of fresh air without letting in pests. They increase home value and add comfort to your space.
Decorative Glass
Decorative glass gives you privacy and allows ample sunlight in. This feature is used to add style to the doorway.
Installation
Installing patio doors is no easy task. There are a few things you should ask yourself before the installation process.
Are You Replacing an Existing Door?
If the answer is yes, here’s what you need to know. It’s a much simpler task to replace existing patio door sets because you already have the framework. If the measurements stay the same for the new installation, replacing the existing doors should be relatively straightforward. Things get a bit more complicated when you’re trying to increase the size of the frame or increase the gap for a broader door runner. You may need to address some structural modifications to achieve this. It’s important to always consult with a professional, especially when you’re considering structural work.
Are You Prepared?
If you’re taking the do-it-yourself (DIY) route, make sure you have all the materials, tools and resources to get started.
What’s the Timeline?
Typically, a team can install a set of patio doors within a day. If you’re taking the DIY route, make sure you set aside enough time.