A patio door seamlessly bridges the living spaces inside and outside of your home. It differs from an entry door in that an entry door is mostly designed for security and durability because it is the primary entrance into a home. A patio door, though also made to be secure and durable, appears more inviting.

BENEFITS OF GETTING A PATIO DOOR

What can patio doors do for you? Consider the following:

• They provide excellent views. Patio doors feature a lot of glass, which is what allows them to connect indoor and outdoor spaces with ease.

• They let in natural light. Natural light opens up indoor spaces by making rooms appear bigger than they are. Natural light also makes it possible to save on energy costs because lighting fixtures need not be used during the day to provide illumination.

PART 1: WHY GET A PATIO DOOR?

• They offer energy efficiency. Patio doors today are not only made to be sturdy and beautiful, they’re also highly energy-efficient. Special glass coatings allow patio doors to filter out heat from the sun. When indoor temperatures are stable, your HVAC system doesn’t have to work overtime to keep you comfortable.

• They boast of design flexibility. Patio doors come in many styles and sizes, designed specifically to suit whatever architectural style your home might employ. Be it a traditional or contemporary home, there’s sure to be a patio door that will fit your property.

• They are durable. Built following the strictest of quality standards, patio doors can weather a variety of elements year in and year out. They may be things of beauty but that doesn’t mean they can’t be tough too.

• They facilitate traffic flow. Patio doors from reputable manufacturers have been built for ease of use, ensuring easy access to indoor and outdoor spaces.

In the next part of this blog series, we’ll take the next step towards understanding patio doors by focusing on its parts, as well as material

options available for it. Read on to learn more!

PART 1: WHY GET A PATIO DOOR?

To help you gain a better understanding of how a patio door works, it is important to take a closer look at its construction details.

THE PARTS OF A PATIO DOOR

(1) GLASS. Patio doors employ high-performance glass to limit solar heat gain (the higher the solar heat gain coefficient, the greater the amount of heat that is let in by the glass panel) as much as possible. While it keeps heat out, patio door glass still lets in a lot of natural light without impeding outdoor views.

(2) PANELS. Panels are to patio doors what sashes are to windows. Depending on design, sliding patio doors can have one or two operable panels while French doors can have panels that swing opened and closed.

(3) FRAMES. The outer structures that hold panels in place, frames can be made from a variety of materials, depending on the manufacturer you choose.

(4) HARDWARE. This includes any part of a patio door that aids in operation, such as locks, handles and hinges. Hardware can also come in a number of colors and finishes so it can be used to accentuate a patio door and improve its overall appearance.

PART 2: PATIO DOOR 101 - PARTS AND MATERIALS

PATIO DOOR MATERIALS

Like windows, patio doors are available in a range of materials, each one with their own pros and cons. For instance, there are vinyl patio doors that are highly affordable, making them great for homeowners on a budget, but they don’t fare too well in the areas of strength and energy efficiency.

Other options include: use icons for each bullet point

When choosing a patio door, remember that parts and materials affect overall performance. Interested in patio door styles? Read on to learn more!

WOODOffers top-notch quality but is also a very expensive material and can be prone to rot when not treated and properly maintained.

ALUMINUMMore affordable than wood and resists corrosion but not as aesthetically pleasing as wood.

STEELTougher and more durable than aluminum, with costs befitting of the quality it offers.

COMPOSITECan be made to look like wood but does away with wood’s disadvantages. It may be more expensive than vinyl or aluminum but still more budget-friendly than wood.

PART 2: PATIO DOOR 101 - PARTS AND MATERIALS

Previously, we discussed the benefits patio doors can offer as well as the different parts and materials that lend the door its excellent properties. Now, we’ll be talking about available patio door styles to help you in choosing what will suit you and your home the best.

THE SLIDING PATIO DOOR

As its name suggests, this patio door slides open and closed. Also referred to as a gliding door, a sliding patio door fits in with a lot of architectural styles, making it a good choice for many homeowners. On top of that, it is also easy to operate – just give a panel a gentle push and it easily slides open or closed. For those tight on space, a sliding patio door makes for an excellent option because it requires no more room than the door opening. It simply slides into itself so it doesn’t require clearance indoors or outdoors.

THE FRENCH DOOR

While a sliding patio door glides, the French door swings. That’s the main difference between the two. Because of how it operates, a French door is also called a swinging or hinged patio door, and depending on what will work best for you, this patio door can be made to swing in or out. A French door usually features more ornate details than a sliding patio door so it is preferred by those looking to add a touch of elegance to their homes.

PART 3: PATIO DOOR STYLES

WHAT TO CHOOSE?

That depends on what you’re looking for and how much space is available around your patio doorway. Low on space and prefer easy operation? Go for a sliding patio door. Have room to spare and want old-world charm? A French door is the perfect choice for you. Opt for high-performance glass and you can improve the energy efficiency of your patio door, so you stay comfortable indoors and save since your HVAC system will not be working overtime and needlessly guzzling power. Choose a reputable manufacturer and you also get to take advantage of a solid warranty to protect your investment.

PART 3: PATIO DOOR STYLES

Renwal by Andersenof Austin

2100 Kramer Lane Suite 600 Austin, TX 78758

(512) 298-2270

RBAofAustin.com