When it comes to the patio door you want to put on your home, there are countless options on the market. Whether you are upgrading your current patio door or installing a new patio altogether, taking the time to get to know what your options are will help you ensure that you are getting the right one for your home.
Materials
When you are selecting the material that you want your patio door to be made of, it is important to consider the materials that your home is already using. If your home is already made up of wood-framed doors and windows, uPVC framed patio doors are going to look awkward and out of place.
Space
If you are looking for a way to make your living area seem bigger, patio doors are a great option as they let a lot of light into your home. Swinging patio doors and French doors are great options if you want to add a stylish feel to your home, but they aren’t the best choices for small spaces. Bi-folding patio doors are a great choice for small spaces as they take up less space when they are open, but still let in an immense amount of light.
Security
Patio doors have somewhat of a bad reputation for being insecure because in the 1990s manufacturers were using a security system that burglars were able to breach easily. Modern doors are made much more secure, usually with a strong hook and bolt lock. You can also consider adding a security bar if you choose to get a sliding patio door, and of course, you should have your patio door connected to your existing security system.
Energy Efficiency
The average home loses about twenty-five percent of its heat through the windows, and when you install a patio door, you are increasing this percentage. However, you can still ensure that your home remains as energy efficient as possible. Choosing doors that use Low-E glazing panes will allow daylight through the glass without letting heat build-up in the room. These windows are going to trap the cool air in your home in the summer and the warm air in your home in the winter.
Maintenance
A final consideration you should make when you are picking your patio doors is the maintenance that will required. The easiest doors to maintain are those made from uPVC and aluminium. These materials are capable of coping with varied weather conditions. Timber-framed doors will require weather treating on a regular basis, typically every two years, although in some cases you can get pre-treated frames that are guaranteed for up to ten years.
A sliding door will also require more maintenance than a swinging door because you must ensure that the tracks are kept clean and well lubricated. It is also important to consider that the locking mechanism you choose may also need some maintenance, although this is typically minuscule.