When building a patio, it’s easy to get so excited about the type of flooring and the new expansion of your home that you look over the basics. You need to consider not only the tiles and furniture for your patio, but the patio doors as well. Essentially, a patio door creates a new entrance and exit for your home, which opens up a lot of potential for damage and energy loss.
As with all details of an addition, you should carefully consider the patio door system that you ultimately choose. It’s not as simple as selecting a door that is functional. It should also be aesthetically pleasing, efficient, and cohesive in regards to the rest of your home. With that being said, let’s explore some of the questions that should be asked as you select the entry doors for your patio.
What Are The Types Of Patio Doors Available?
There are actually several different types of patio doors on the market. The three main types of patio doors include French doors, sliding patio doors, and folding doors. Sliding doors, as the name suggests, slide back and forth easily and are often considered more easily functional than other types of doors. They’re simpler, with cleaner lines and less space required; these doors offer a straight, neat look and create a contemporary appearance. Furthermore, they allow in more light and allow large volumes of air to move through a room, ultimately creating a fresher space. Although sliding doors are among the several types of patio doors, there are also different kinds of sliding doors available on a more detailed level. These include multi-slide patio doors, which may have three or more sliding panels.
Folding doors, on the other hand, are often favored due to the fact that they literally fold out of the way on a track. This opens up an even smoother path between the patio and the house. If the goal is to have the best transition possible between the indoors and outdoors, folding doors could be the best option.
French doors, of course, are iconic and aesthetically pleasing. They’re elegant, featuring multiple paneled windows. The hinged quality of the doors actually opens them up to more stylistic variations, like complex patterns and arched tops. These doors are often recommended for areas in which high winds are common, as the seal of the doors actually grows stronger when they withstand the wind. French doors can come in the form of one or two doors, which can expand your ventilation levels if you’d like.
What Types Of Door Materials Are Available?
There are a lot of different types of materials to choose from when it comes to patio doors. Vinyl is one of the most energy-efficient options, which should always be taken into consideration. Though the ENERGY STAR labeling program did not begin until 1992, energy efficiency has long been valued in doors. This is due to the fact that doors can be a simple way for us to control energy loss, and therefore the amount of money we spend on energy.
Wood doors are not as energy efficient as vinyl doors, but they are aesthetically appealing and available in a variety of options, from pine to oak. Aluminum is more durable, resistant to mold and rust, and perfect for more moderate climates. On the other hand, steel could be even more long-lasting, due to its ability to resist warping and its insulation, which bonds to the surface. Finally, fiberglass is extremely low maintenance and isn’t prone to dents, warping, and peeling.
How Important Are Frame And Fit?
The frame and fit of patio doors can greatly affect their energy efficiency. Though glass is a pleasing material to use for patio doors, it’s not very effective in terms of insulation. However, the frame surrounding the glass can cut down on heat loss. Generally speaking, after doors are installed an additional inspection should be made to ensure that they’re properly sealed.
Clearly, we should be more careful when selecting patio doors than we typically are. Consider not only the types of the patio doors but the materials and the final fit and frame of the doors as well. These considerations will ensure that you have the best possible results.