Installing new sliding glass doors can add value to your home, but only if you choose the right style. With so many options, how do you know which one will work best for your home? We’ve got you covered. Here’s a quick list of tips for picking the best sliding glass door for your home.
Determine Your Needs and Think About Design
The first thing to consider is your space, budget, and personal preferences. Consider the door’s design and the design of your home. Which sliding glass door with fit your home in more ways than one?
For example, if you have an older, classic home, you’ll want something simple and elegant. Consider a larger, airier door if you live in a more modern home. A door that doesn’t match the design of your home will feel out of place.
Choose Energy-Efficient Material
When you’re shopping for sliding glass doors, you’ll want to focus on finding one that’s energy efficient. Windows and sliding glass doors lose more energy per square foot than any other part of your home. To guarantee maximum energy efficiency, you’ll want to consider two different types of materials: glass and frame. Here’s a closer look at each one.
Glass Type
The glass quality is critical to a patio door’s energy efficiency. The best type of glass for patio doors is Low-E glass with a low U-factor, which measures how well the glass insulates. Low-E glass has a special coating that prevents UV rays from entering your home and helps lower your energy bill.
Various glass options are energy-efficient and provide other benefits for your home. For example, decorative glass can add a nice design element to your home, deck, and backyard. It can also make it harder for nosey neighbors to see inside your home and protect your privacy.
You can even find sliding glass doors with built-in blinds that sit between two glass panels of the door but can still be opened or closed.
Door Frame Material
Your patio door’s frame should be sturdy and made of durable materials. You have several choices for the frame, including:
- Vinyl
- Fiberglass
- Aluminum
You’ll want to choose an energy-efficient and durable material that will complement your home. Vinyl is affordable and easy to maintain, but the color options can be limited. Spend some time thinking about what works for your needs before settling on a doorframe material.
Pick a Style That Matches Your Home
There are several styles of sliding patio doors to choose from. The right one for your home will depend on design, space, and personal preference. Here’s a quick look at some of the most popular sliding glass door options on the market.
Standard Sliding Doors
Standard sliding glass doors have two panels, one that slides left and right and another that’s stationary. This type of door has a track along the panels’ top and bottom, enabling you to open the door by sliding the movable panel along the track. You can choose right-handed or left-handed operation when picking a standard sliding door.
Sliding French Doors
Sliding French doors consist of two or more panels that slide horizontally along a track to open and close. The two panels slide outward to the left and right, creating an opening in the middle. Once the doors are fully open, they can be secured using various locking mechanisms. The doors typically have large glass panels that allow natural light in and provide an unobstructed view of the outdoors. French-style sliding glass doors have a larger, more luxurious feel and appearance, making them versatile. You can install these sliding glass doors in a classical or modern home, which will complement both architectural styles.
4-Panel Sliding Doors
A 4-panel sliding glass door is essentially two standard sliding glass doors pushed up against each other. This type of door has two sliding panels that overlap on either side with two stationary panels. These doors create a wide, beautiful entryway that provides a beautiful view and lets in a lot of light.
Bi-Fold Sliding Doors
A bi-fold sliding glass door is made of panels connected by hinges. When you open a bi-fold door, it folds up against itself. This type of door hasn’t been around for as long as the others on this list and is a good fit for newer or modern homes.
Pocket Sliding Doors
Pocket sliding glass doors roll into a “pocket” inside the wall when you open them. When opened, the glass panels disappear entirely. Pocket doors take up less floor space than other types of doors and can also create larger entryways than other sliding doors.
Consider the Door’s Location
What part of your home will your sliding glass door be located in? Is there enough space for a bi-fold door to open, or will it hit the couch if you try? Depending on the size and shape of your home, you might have to match the door to the available space. If you don’t have a lot of space, a standard or French sliding door might be the best choice.
Don’t Forget About the Maintenance
Some sliding glass doors require more maintenance than others. If you don’t have much time to maintain your sliding door, you should stick with something durable, like a vinyl sliding patio door, that doesn’t need much attention. A durable, low-maintenance door will make your life easier and keep it looking nicer for longer.
Pick the Best Sliding Glass Door with WindowFits
Picking your home’s best sliding glass doors involves more than just personal preference. The design of your home, the material the door will be made from, and the style of the door are all things to consider alongside personal preference. If you need help picking the best type of sliding glass door for your home, contact WindowFits. All our windows and doors are installed by our team of trained and certified installers. Call (951) 677-2593 or click here for a FREE installation quote!