Your front door isn’t the only entrance you need to think about when constructing or re-modeling your home. Your patio door allows access to your backyard or patio, and has an aesthetic impact on both the interior and exterior of your house. You want to make sure your patio door not only looks great, but is functional, energy efficient and works perfectly for your space.
When choosing the perfect patio door, there are a few key things you need to consider that you might not have thought about. Read on to make sure you have everything covered in your patio door search!
All About Functionality
Your patio door has to be functional for your space. If the entrance to your backyard or patio is tight, a sliding door that opens and closes on a track system will be more functional than a swinging, hinged door. If your space is more generous, outswing doors are ideal. And if your space is at a premium, a bi-partnering door with an expanded opening will brighten up your home and extend your living space.
Think About Style
While functionality is key, style is at the top of mind for most home owners. You want patio doors that compliment your home and fuse your indoor and outdoor space. In many homes, patio doors serve as a focal point, so you want them to catch the eye in the best way. Think about color, material, frame width, panels, whether you want decorative glass, etc. Depending on the style and decor of your house, choose patio doors that work with the design.
Kid and Pet-Friendly
If you have kids and/or pets, your patio doors need to be able to withstand wear and tear. Pets often paw at the door when they want to go in or out, and kids’ toys can leave scratches on painted or wooden door frames. If you’re worried about chips and scrapes, choose doors with plain vinyl, fiberglass or aluminum to maintain their desired look.
Consider Your Lifestyle
Do you love throwing big gatherings on your deck? Are you going to outfit your patio with furniture so your family and friends can mix and mingle? Make sure whichever patio door you choose gives you space for these gatherings and doesn’t restrict the flow. Take into consideration how much space you need for clearance and how the doors will affect the movability of your patio.
Keep Energy Efficiency in Mind
It’s really important to choose energy efficient patio doors for your house. This will save you money, provide comfort to your home, and it never hurts to help the environment! Windows and doors might not actually use energy, but they play a significant role in heat loss. Materials like vinyl and wood are very energy efficient, while Low-E (low emissivity) glass is
designed with material that repels ultraviolet rays in the summer and absorbs them in the winter.
Are you looking to construct or remodel your patio door? Gentek has a wide variety of patio door styles in stock! Visit your local Gentek dealer to find the style that suits you and your home!