The Window and Door Shop offers many material, style, color, size, and option possibilities for a replacement patio door. There are lots of ways to configure your new patio doors. Follow these six steps to find the perfect patio door for your home.
Step One: Choose the Material
Patio door frame materials include wood, vinyl, fiberglass, and aluminum. Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages. Material considerations should include: environment and climate, which is quite complex in northern California, style of home and budget. Here’s a brief overview of all four materials:
Wood
- Insulator and can aide with energy efficiency
- Many options for staining and painting
- Very customizable
- More maintenance than other materials
- Renewable resource
- Clad-wood includes a strong layer of metal on wood to protect it with no exterior painting required and little maintenance
Vinyl
- Plastic material
- Durable
- Energy efficient
- Budget-friendly
- Rarely fades or chips
- Many brands offer a lifetime warranty
Fiberglass
- Ultimate performance material
- Won’t warp, bow, dent, or peel
- Painted wood look or woodgrain
- Maintenance free
- Stronger than vinyl
Aluminum
- Lightweight yet strong
- Corrosion resistant
- Works well in northern California climates
- Fewer options
- Offer a contemporary and modern look
Step Two: Decide on the Operation of Your Replacement Patio Door
There are three main options for the operation of your new patio door: swinging, sliding, or folding. The style you choose most aligns with the space available. Here’s some vital information for each operating style.
Swinging
- Clearance for the door to open required
- Inswing or outswing
- Can have one moving door and one stationary door
Sliding Doors
- One stationary panel and one sliding panel
- Most common patio door style
- Multi-sliding door options available for large spaces with multiple panels
- Easy to operate with the touch of a finger
Folding
- Doors open accordion-style
- Well-designed tracks make for easy opening and closing
- Large widths available for a full room transformation
Step Three: Choose Your Glass
Performance glass is an option as well as glass that is tinted, tempered, or textured.
A high performing glass with insulating argon gas, Low-E glass helps homes stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Use of this glass can help windows be ENERGY STAR® certified. This glass allows light in but not its heat. The view is also clearer compared to a tinted glass. It also protects against fading of interior furnishings by blocking up to 95% of the sun’s UV rays. The glass is manufactured using a sputter coating process and contains a third layer of silver coating.
Other glass options
Tinted glass reduces glare. It’s ideal for areas that receive a lot of direct sunlight. Textured glass gives you the opportunity to let light in while maintaining privacy. Tempered glass, which is standard on door lites, is treated with heat, so it can withstand greater force or pressure on its surface. It also will not break into sharp pieces..
Step Four: Hardware
Patio door hardware allows for another touch of personal style. It’s also necessary for security. Depending on the type of patio door, there may be multiple options for how the door locks and opens. You can choose between multi-point locking systems, which are come standard on most patio doors, or other hardware options as shown here: hardware options.
Step Five: Add Architectural Interest with Grilles or Divided Lites
Grilles and divided lites add character to a patio door. Depending on the style of the home, you may want to use certain designs. For example, prairie grilles are a hallmark of Craftsman style whereas colonial grilles are considered Farmhouse. If your windows have grilles, it makes sense to include them on your patio doors as well for a consistent look.
Step Six: Screens and Blinds
You may want to choose to add screens or blinds to your replacement patio doors. Blinds can actually be placed between the glass, so you never have to worry about keeping them dust-free. Screens are attached to the exterior of the door and allow you to block or let sun in depending on your preference.
Did you realize there were so many options for your patio doors? We offer a world of possibilities, so you find the perfect patio doors for your northern California home. Learn more today by visiting our Sacramento showroom or contacting us at 916-252-4100.
