A patio door is more than just a door; it’s a portal into your backyard. It also allows natural light to shine into your home, and keeps damaging UV rays out; saving your floors, furniture and other interior items from sun bleaching or fading.
Consider options like etched glass that complements your style and decor or even the family crest. Make sure it’s strong and durable with multi-point locking systems and reinforced strike plate areas to ward off break-ins.
Natural Light
Patio doors offer an abundance of natural light to your home. This allows you to reduce the need for artificial lighting throughout the day, saving money on energy costs. It also creates a more relaxing atmosphere at home, and it helps to showcase your home’s fine furniture and other decorations.
In addition, new patio doors can help to keep your indoor air temperature even. This can save you a significant amount of money on your heating and cooling costs throughout the year.
They can also reduce the noise that enters your home from outside, which can be a problem if you live near a busy road or another loud location. Additionally, they can improve your home’s security by providing a sturdy barrier against unwanted guests and burglars. They have robust locking mechanisms that make it difficult to breach them from the outside. This is a key factor that many homeowners consider when choosing a new patio door.
Durability
Patio doors that are made from durable materials and designed to stand up to Utah’s harsh sun and high elevation weather conditions will save you from costly repairs in the future. Look for features like multi-point locking systems, reinforced strike plate areas and insulated frames that will ensure minimal air leakage.
Vinyl is a popular choice for patio doors as it’s affordable, highly durable and won’t corrode. Look for options with built-in blinds between the glass that provide privacy without blocking out natural light and also help to keep harmful UV rays from entering your home preventing floors, furniture and artwork from fading or warping over time.
Clad-wood windows are another great option for homeowners looking for a traditional replacement window that combines beauty and functionality. They are constructed with a wood interior and aluminum or vinyl exterior for superior durability. They are low maintenance and come with options such as Colonial grid patterns or frosted glass for privacy.
Security
Patio doors are typically located on the side or back of your home and while they look beautiful and add a lot of natural light they also pose some security risks. Since burglars often break into homes through these secluded entrances it is important to make sure that your new patio doors have adequate security measures installed.
One of the best ways to ensure your patio door has an extra layer of security is to have a blocking bar or Charlie bar installed in the track. This is a simple solution that only takes minutes to install and can stop a burglar from sliding your patio door open.
Another good security measure is to have a security pin installed in the frame. This is a small piece that can be added to the frame of your patio door and matches a hole drilled in the stationary door so that when the two matching holes are placed together it will keep the sliding door from being removed off the track.
Energy Efficiency
Patio doors serve as the portal to your backyard which is why they should be an energy efficient addition to your home. A quality patio door is well insulated and fits tightly into a UV protected frame. This prevents warping and leaking which is common with cheaper models and saves you money on your energy bill.
When looking for a new or replacement patio door check the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) label to compare their energy efficiency ratings. Specifically look for the SHGC and U-factor which indicate how effectively the window prevents heat from coming in and heat from escaping.
You may also want to consider a door with blinds between the glass which add privacy and keep out damaging sun rays. These rays can cause fading and rotting of floors, furniture, and cabinets. This is especially important in Utah’s high altitude and harsh sun.