Installing a patio doesn’t just improve the value of your home, it also has an ROI of over 100%.
But before you start planning the outdoor furniture and string light configuration, you need to think about your patio doors. The wrong door design and style can completely ruin your outdoor space.
We’ve put together this guide to help you find the perfect sliding glass door for your home.
So let’s get started!
1. Set a Budget
Replacing your sliding glass door can cost upwards of $5,000. That’s why it’s important to come up with a budget first.
Figure out how much you can spend then stick to it!
Different types of glass or doorframe materials can have a big impact on the overall price. If you don’t know your limit, it can be easy to start spending money you don’t have.
So before you even start shopping, set your budget first.
2. Pick Something Energy Efficient
Your home loses more energy through sliding glass doors than any other surface, including your windows. Because of this, you’ll want to find energy-efficient materials.
For example, things like Low-E glass or reflective glass will keep the outside weather from leaking into your home. This means you don’t have to run your HVAC system as often, which will help you save money.
But don’t just focus on the glass.
The doorframe material has a big impact on energy efficiency as well. The most popular options include things like wood, fiberglass, or vinyl.
However, before you choose an energy-efficient material, make sure you consider how it looks.
3. Think About the Design
You don’t want to install an aluminum door frame in a rustic-styled home. It will look completely out of place. Aluminum might look better in a modern home.
Think about how the design will mesh with the rest of your home. It’s worth spending extra money on the right design.
You should also consider the color options of different materials. Vinyl is durable and energy-efficient, but it doesn’t have a lot of color options. If you want something blue, you may need to choose wood instead.
4. Understand the Maintenance
Different materials require different amounts of maintenance.
For example, wooden doorframes can warp or mold is you live in a cold, wet area. You might have to make more small repairs on a wooden sliding glass door than you would on a vinyl door.
If you don’t want to spend a lot of time or money on maintenance, make sure you pick something durable that doesn’t need a lot of attention. Aluminum is a good choice for homeowners who don’t want to deal with maintenance.
5. Consider How Much Space You Have
Space is an important factor to consider when choosing sliding glass doors. You’ll have to pick something that fits into the space you already have.
But don’t make the mistake of thinking you’re stuck with a certain size.
If you want a bigger sliding glass door than you have, you can do a small renovation that’ll fit a bigger door. However, you’ll have to be willing to spend a bit more money on the installation process.
6. Choose a Style That Fits Your Home
The amount of space you have will also impact the sliding glass door style you can choose. But again, that doesn’t mean you’re stuck with the style you already have.
During the shopping process, make sure you check out these sliding glass door styles.
Standard
A standard sliding glass door has two glass panels. One of these panels moves back and forth (the panel that opens), and the other is stationary.
This is the most common type of sliding glass door.
If you choose this door, you can pick which side opens. For example, the door can be on the left side or the right side.
French-Style
French-style sliding doors are similar to standard sliding doors, but they’re much bigger. This makes these doors a good choice for large, spacious homes.
Another benefit of french-style sliding doors is they work with many different home designs. They’ll feel at place in a modern home as well as a classical home.
This type of sliding door only has one glass panel. When you open this panel, it slides into a “pocket” in the wall. In other words, you can’t see the door at all when it’s opened.
Pocket doors have a larger panel of glass than traditional sliding doors. Because of this, they can create wider openings.
But they don’t take up any more space. In fact, since they slide into the wall, they often take up less space than other sliding doors.
Bi-Fold
Bi-fold doors don’t “slide” open like traditional sliding doors. Instead, the door folds against itself when you open it.
Because of this fold, these doors take up more space than the other doors on this list. But it can make a nice feature as part of a modern home.
4-Panel
French-style sliding doors not big enough for you?
Consider installing a 4-panel door instead. This door is like two standard sliding doors pushed up against each other. It has four glass panels, two of which open.
This creates a large entryway that lets in a lot of natural light.
How to Pick the Perfect, Sliding Patio Doors for Your Home
Picking the right patio doors for your home isn’t a simple choice. You have to think about the material, the design, and the style. So before you start shopping, make sure you have a few ideas.
Want to learn more home decor tips?
Make sure you take a look at the rest of our blog!
