If you don’t spend a lot of time thinking about patio doors and what they look like, you might think that all patio doors are the same. It’s only when the time comes to buy new patio doors or replace existing patio doors that you may start to realize how different the options can be. Exploring these options, including their advantages and differences, can help you decide which one is right for your home.
The type of patio door you choose for your property can make a big difference in the way your home looks. Your patio doors also affect your home’s character, and can even reinforce your home’s architectural style. Choosing the right door is important for sure. Here’s what to consider when you’re trying to decide which type of patio door is right for you.
Traditional Sliding Glass Doors Vs. Pocket Sliding Glass Doors
A traditional single glass door usually consists of a single non-moveable panel and a moveable panel that slides directly over the non-moveable panel when opened. Sliding glass doors can have multiple moveable panels that stack up over the non-moving panel when closed. In fact, 3 panel sliding glass door options are stunning in their beauty.
Want even more glass in your home? Two patio doors can come together to meet in the corner of your house for maximum effect. These double patio doors allow for more sunlight into your home and provide an excellent view of your property when open or closed.
Sliding pocket door options are growing in popularity. These doors slide on a track and completely disappear into your home’s wall when fully opened. This gives the appearance that your home is completely open to the outside world, without anything standing between the inside and outside. Pocket glass doors blur the lines between your home’s interior and exterior, and provide an even better view of the outside world when fully opened.
Sliding Doors Vs. French Doors
Whereas sliding doors can be pulled into the wall in a pocket fashion, French doors are hinged so they can be fully opened to reveal the outside world, but they’re always visible, whether opened or shut. French doors add a dynamic quality to the view outside your home, because they’re always visible and present, framing the view. Unlike sliding doors, they do require space to open fully. French doors are an excellent option for homeowners who have lots of room to allow their French doors space to swing open.
Compared to sliding doors, French doors are also a more traditional option. Sliding doors are more modern and contemporary, while hinged doors are associated with an older style. If your home is built in a more traditional style, French doors may be the right choice for you. Consider your home’s facade and decorating scheme when trying to decide if sliding or hinged doors are best for your house.
Aluminum Vs. Vinyl Frames
Aluminum frames are incredibly strong, and can be very slender for their length, because of that incredible strength. Many homeowners turn to aluminum because it never rusts and can be very durable in strong storms. Aluminum requires very little maintenance and comes in a range of colors. If you want a long-lasting, understated door frame, aluminum is an excellent choice for your home.
Vinyl frames may be the most popular window and door frame material available. It’s long-lasting, low maintenance and comes in many colors. Vinyl is the same color all the way through, which means that even if it becomes scratched or dented, that kind of damage can be difficult to see. Vinyl never needs to be repainted or stained, and is resistant to corrosion. Properly maintained and well-installed, vinyl can last for years. People choose vinyl because of its durability and versatility.
Grids Or No Grids?
Grids are the lines that appear over or between the glass in a patio door. Grids can come in different shapes and configurations, so you can choose the grid lines that will look best with your house. Grids are not for everyone, as some homeowners prefer an unbroken view with no lines over the glass at all. It’s up to you. If your home has a beautiful view that you prefer to see without obstructions, then a patio door without grids is likely the best option.
However, if you like the architectural element that’s introduced by grids, then work with your patio door manufacturer to find the right grid configuration for your property. Remember that you can have grids that run parallel to the outer frame without obstructing the center view. If it’s important to have a hint of architectural style on your door without covering the entire window pane with lines, this may be the best option for you.
Comparing Frame Colors
Just how many options you have when it comes to frame colors depends on which style of door you choose. Some doors come with more frame options than others. Most of the time, these frame color choices are neutral shades like white, bronze, black and beige.
White helps the door frame recede into the background (if that is your preference). Bronze and black are high-contrast that can add drama and elegance to your home. Beige, meanwhile, is an excellent neutral that doesn’t call attention to the door. Instead, beige allows the door to integrate nicely into the rest of the room’s decor.
Choosing the color is one of the hardest things to do when selecting a patio door for your home. If you’re struggling with this, go see the options in person in a showroom. This will help you decide which one is best for you and your house.
Tinted Vs. Clear Glass
Many homeowners opt for clear glass because they want the best view out of their house possible, and their patio doors look onto their backyard anyway, so they’re not worried about privacy. However, tinted glass is an excellent option for many reasons. Tinted glass can reinforce the color inside the home, or outside, depending on where you’re standing.
You can use tinted glass to add character to your house or coordinate with your home’s color and decoration scheme. In addition, tinted glass can be very useful if your sliding patio doors look out onto a waterway, a golf course, or another type of space that isn’t very private. Like the different frame colors, it’s important to see the glass options before choosing one. Go to a showroom where you can see these choices for yourself.
Making the Right Choice for Your Home Makes All the Difference
One thing to keep in mind as you choose a patio door for your home is that a quality door can last for years. Knowing that the door you choose will be around for an extended period of time, it’s important to pick a door that you can be happy with for a very long time.
Avoid doors that are too trendy or reflective of fads that can change on a moment’s notice. Instead, choose a door that reflects your enduring tastes. You’ll thank yourself when you’re still happy with your door in the years after installation.
