Patio doors allow natural light to flood your home, making it feel bigger and more spacious. They can be installed in the living room or in a sunroom.
Before hiring a professional for the job, remove any interior trim and measure the rough opening to make sure that the new door will fit properly. Then, get a quote for the cost of material/supply and labor costs.
What is a Patio Door?
A patio door is a large door that either slides or swings open to allow access to your outdoor living space. These doors are often constructed using a large amount of glass, which allows natural light to flood into your home and offers unobstructed views of your garden or backyard.
Patio doors are available in a range of styles, with some offering different levels of energy efficiency. For example, Window World’s sliding patio doors are able to achieve an impressive U-Value rating of 0.9, which will help to reduce your energy bills and make a difference to your heating costs.
The hardware that comes with your new patio doors can also contribute to their aesthetic. For example, aged bronze or brushed nickel handles can create a rustic feel while stainless steel hardware provides a more modern look. You can also choose from a variety of color options for your new patio door, which will allow you to match it with your home’s exterior trim colors.
Benefits of a Patio Door
Patio doors can bring in more natural light, provide easy access to outdoor spaces and allow a home to connect with the surrounding environment. They can also reduce the amount of air conditioning used in a house. This helps to reduce energy bills.
Patio door frames can be made from a wide range of materials. The frame colour can be changed to match the style of a room. The door itself can also be coloured to create a unique style. The glazing can be tinted, textured or stained to add to the aesthetic of the home. The hardware (handles, foot bolt, latch, etc) comes in a variety of colours and finishes to create a cohesive look.
When choosing a patio door, homeowners should consider the security benefits of the style they choose. This can include features like multi-point locks that are more secure than traditional hinged doors. These locks can be fitted to sliding and French patio doors.
Costs of a Patio Door
Depending on style, material and size patio doors can vary in price. Off-the-shelf uPVC bifolds tend to be the cheapest, while bespoke aluminium designs sit at the higher end of the market.
Sliding patio doors are ideal for compact spaces because they only require two panels of glass, and they open horizontally, so the doorway space doesn’t need to be cleared to open them. They are also very easy to maintain as all they need is a wipe down now and again with glass cleaner to keep them looking clean and new.
French patio doors are also a great option, especially for larger homes, as they can offer more glass and light. They can be more expensive than sliding doors but they do provide a great level of flexibility when it comes to opening and closing them. They are also very secure and come with various locking options. When choosing a professional for installing or replacing your patio doors, make sure that they offer a guarantee on their work.
Installation of a Patio Door
A patio door provides a stylish and functional entrance to your outdoor space. It allows light and air to flow in and improves security and energy savings. It can also increase your home’s value by adding beauty and symmetry.
The installation process for a patio door requires precision. Determining the rough opening is crucial to ensure a properly fitting door. It can be done without tearing off interior casing by backing out existing screws and measuring the length from the top of the sill to the wall board.
The patio door frame should be dry-fitted into the rough opening to ensure proper fit and alignment. A sill pan can be added to help channel away exterior water. The pan can be built from scratch using roll sheet metal, but for do-it-yourselfers, a pre-built PVC sill pan is usually easiest. A drip cap can be added to prevent rainwater from seeping under the door from above. Run three beads of sealant along the bottom edge of the sill pan.