Patio Doors

When it comes to your choices of material for a new patio door, the most popular options on the market consist of vinyl, aluminum, fibreglass, steel, and wooden frames. Each of these options carries its own benefits and drawbacks, and your choice of which you will install in your home depends on a variety of factors.

Vinyl frames on patio doors provide a higher standard of energy efficiency, and will last a long time in your home. Meanwhile, aluminum frames offer the best protection against the elements, while fibreglass ones are able to resist high levels of damage while requiring relatively low maintenance. Although steel frames can provide more strength and security options while wooden ones can provide greater customization options, Canadian Choice Windows & Doors carries only the best of patio door material options, focusing on vinyl, aluminum, and fibreglass.

There are three main types of patio doors: sliding, French, and folding (also known as bifold) patio doors.

Sliding doors consist of two or more panes of glass mounted on a track instead of attached on hinges. One of these panes remains stationary, while the other slides across the track.

Meanwhile, French patio doors are hinged, and are best for larger openings, as they do not require a central support column to open on both sides.

Folding patio doors can consist of up to eight individual panels that fold along one side in an accordion layout, offering large and unobstructed views when fully open.

Hinged patio doors refer to French patio doors, which consist of two panels hinged along both sides in order to provide large openings for framing views or allowing greater ease of access. These panels can swing either inwards or outwards, unlike sliding patio doors, which can only move horizontally along a track.

In the case of French doors, a central support column is not always a requirement, allowing for greater room for framing views and allowing in natural light.

When comparing the cost of sliding patio doors compared to French patio doors, the most important aspect to keep in mind is that ultimately, the discrepancy in cost will depend on the conditions you are looking for, and how easily these doors will be able to fit the construction of your home.

Sliding patio doors and French patio doors run at relatively similar costs. However, when it comes to replacement, sliding doors tend to require cheaper construction, as they are comprised of fixed units.

Both sliding patio doors and French patio doors each have their own benefits and drawbacks, and the choice between the two will ultimately depend on the specific factors of your installation project and your home.

Sliding patio doors are generally better when it comes to ease of use and conservation of space, making them the ideal choice for tight areas with not much room for movement. However, French doors are a better choice for rooms that can benefit from increased ventilation, natural light, and open space.

Patio doors, as a general rule, are very easy to maintain, and can last for many years before they begin to show signs of deterioration or age. They require basic maintenance habits, some of which will depend on their construction material, while others apply to all patio doors as a whole.

Above all else, it is important to clean your patio doors, both their frames and their glass panels, regularly in order to avoid the buildup of weather damage or debris. In addition, it is necessary to use a silicone-based lubricant to keep tracks in sliding doors working smoothly.

Patio doors are one of the easiest types of doors to keep clean in your home, as long as you remember to care for them every couple of months as a bare minimum.

Make sure to clean your glass panels regularly, regardless of their exposure to the outdoors. In addition, as a general rule, mild, all-purpose soap is a great choice when it comes to cleaning your door frames and handles. It is a good idea to ensure all of the cleaning supplies you are using are not corrosive in order to avoid causing damage to the construction of your patio doors.

When looking for the perfect patio door to install in your home, knowing what to look for in terms of features and quality is essential. Luckily, it is usually easy to tell whether or not a patio door is made with a standard of quality that is suitable for your home.

Patio doors offer a number of advantages to Canadian homes. Finding a patio door with a design that suits your goals is one of the most important things to consider when examining your options, as well as narrowing down which door will work stylistically in the construction of your home, and the intended location of your door.

In addition, examining the maintenance your door will require, as well as its energy efficiency, is key when making a smart installation decision.

While patio doors offer homeowners many advantages, they also come with a few downsides that are worth considering when making your final choice for your home.

Patio doors, compared to regular entry doors, can pose greater security risks to your home, as they usually provide an easier opportunity to see inside your home, as well as an easier target to try and break through. In addition, patio doors, regardless of hinged or sliding, tend to require more space in your home than regular doors, taking up more of your room.

The average cost of a quality patio door ultimately depends on the specifics of your selection and the conditions of your installation. However, as a general guideline, the cost of patio doors can vary widely in scope, ranging from $150-$300 per door to much more expensive options in luxury homes.

In addition, it is worth keeping in mind the fact that replacement costs can contribute significantly to the cost of your patio door in the long term as well.

All patio doors offer a baseline of security features and strength of construction. However, between the options of sliding, French, and folding patio door options, the one that offers the most security is generally considered to be the French door.

French doors consist of panels set in a fixed frame. The panels are secured to their frame through a system of pivots and hinges that can lock centrally, making them less likely to cave in or suffer damage.

There are a few key differences that generally distinguish patio doors from exterior doors in your home.

Firstly, while most exterior doors are built out of wood, steel, or fibreglass, patio doors tend to rely more on vinyl, aluminum, and fibreglass construction. This makes patio doors more energy efficient in your home.

In addition, patio doors offer better access to natural light and ventilation, as they consist of larger areas of glass. This makes them the ideal choice for living rooms and porches, as opposed to exterior doors, which are generally only seen as entry doors into the front of your home.