Patio doors allow you to connect your indoor and outdoor spaces and can significantly improve a family’s quality of life. They let in lots of natural light and fresh air and create a seamless transition between the inside and outside.
There are 3 types of patio door on the market; French, Sliding and Bifold. Each has a different style and benefits.
Energy Efficiency
There are 3 main types of patio doors on the market – French, Sliding and Bifold. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks depending on what you want from your new door. French doors have large panes of glass and are ideal for homes that face the sun. Sliding doors can open a wider space but may be difficult for elderly or young children to use. Bifold patio doors are the latest design and consist of a number of panels that fold back on each other like a concertina opening up as much space as possible making your home feel bigger and giving you a better view of the garden.
Both sliding and hinged patio doors are available in a range of styles with different glazing options to suit your home. Look for doors with a low U-factor and a low SHGC (solar heat gain coefficient) to reduce energy costs.
Ventilation
Unlike front doors which must be sturdy and hard-wearing, Patio doors allow air to flow freely into the home. Many homeowners have gone back to using traditional wooden screen doors for the nostalgic squeak but these don’t have any ventilation and if they are not cleaned on a regular basis they can easily rot allowing insects to enter.
Hinged and sliding doors have the added benefit of removing the barrier between indoors and outdoors bringing in light and fresh air. Patio doors are available in a variety of styles including French doors and bifold patio doors – the latter allows you to open up your entire living space letting you move effortlessly between your home and garden.
Therma-Tru patio doors are designed to withstand the elements with wide patio mullions for strength and multi-point locking gears. They also come with a range of glass options to suit your view and internal blinds to keep your home comfortable.
Security
Patio doors can open up your home to the outside world and add a lot of natural light but they also present a security risk. Since they are located on the back or side of your home and usually have large glass panels a burglar can easily peep into your property to evaluate if there is anything worth stealing before attempting a break-in.
Adding simple security measures like a blocking bar or a Charlie bar to your sliding patio door will prevent a burglar from pulling the door off of the track. Another option is a security pin that matches up a hole on your sliding patio door with a similar hole on your stationary door frame. The hardened steel pin is impossible to disengage so a burglar will be unable to remove your patio door.
A specialized shatterproof film can also be applied to your sliding patio door to make it more secure. This type of film maintains transparency so you won’t have to sacrifice your outdoor views and is more durable than standard glass.