Although not much thought is initially given to our patio doors, things tend to change quickly as we start noticing that they are one of the main culprits behind our growing dissatisfaction with our living space.
That’s when we increasingly start noticing just how worn out they look – if that’s the case, of just how drafty they get even with the slightest breeze. And that’s when you know it’s time to do something about it.
Luckily, nowadays, there are so many high-quality patio door options you can choose from, such as the ones offered at Oknoplast.us, that you’ll literally be spoilt for choice.
That said, here are just some considerations to keep in mind when it comes to choosing the best patio door for your home.
Assess the space you have at your disposal
First of all, you’ll need to assess the space you have at your disposal and see how much room you actually have. This will help you determine which size and style of the door will fit your space best.
In order to do this, you’ll need to measure the entire frame of your current doors and account for the space the door will need to open properly – if you’re not going with the sliding alternative.
Additionally, see if there’s anything you’d wish to add, like more windows, side glass panels or even more doors.
Once you know how much space you’re working with, choosing the right type of patio doors will become significantly easier.
Learn more about different types and choose the one that works best for your space
When choosing the best type of doors for your patio, you’ll have several alternatives to choose from, which include
- Hinged doors
- Slide doors
- Pivot doors
- Folding doors
All of these have their own sets of advantages and disadvantages, so you’ll need to learn a bit more about them before making your final choice.
Hinged doors – are the most common type of patio doors. These can come in single or double-panel variants. If you decide to go with this type of door, you’ll need to leave enough room between the doors and your patio furniture so that you can open them comfortably.
Slide doors – are another frontrunner, and many people’s favorite choice, as they require virtually no space in order to be opened. If you decide to go with slide doors, however, make sure there are no columns that could get in the way of the door opening entirely.
Pivot doors – are a more common choice for interior doors than they are exterior, however some people seem to like this alternative the best. If you decide to go with pivot doors, make sure you have enough room both inside and outside of your patio to be able to open them.
Folding doors – can also be a great option, especially if you’re looking to cover up larger areas, as they can enable you to fully open up your patio or close it off entirely when needed.
Decide on the best material alternative
Your next consideration will be the type of material the doors are made of. Wood, PVC, uPVC and aluminum are some of the most popular choices.
It’s worth noting that, although wooden door frames do look wonderful, they’re not as durable as uPVC ones which are designed to stand the test of time and various weather conditions.
Aside from the door frame material, you should also consider the type of glass you’ll choose for your patio doors. You want to make sure that the doors you choose – frame and glass included – are made with energy efficiency in mind, to avoid having them become one of the main energy-loss sources in your home.
Decide on the installation method
Finally, when choosing a patio door for your home, you’ll also want to consider the installation method you wish to go with.
Your first option will be DIY, but opt for this only if you already have enough experience and knowledge when it comes to installing such fixtures. If you’re not experienced or skillful enough, you can easily make numerous mistakes which will result in a subpar finished product.
On the other hand, you’ll have the option to hire trained experts to do this job for you. The best part is that the majority of retailers already have a team of their own, so make sure you inquire about this option when making a purchase.
As you can see, these are just some of the most important considerations you need to account for when choosing the best type of patio door for your home. No matter if you decide to go with hinged, pivot, folding or slide doors, just make sure the materials they’re made of are sustainable and promote energy efficiency. That way you can rest assured knowing your patio doors will serve their purpose for many years to come, providing you with a safe and comfortable space you can enjoy.
