Choosing the right sliding glass doors is crucial for your home’s style and functionality. The patio door is the first impression guests have of your house, so it is important to choose a style that complements your home’s design.
Manufacturers are catering to homeowners’ aesthetic preferences by offering distinct options. These include turtle glass, tints and grids.
Energy-efficient
Sliding glass doors are a stylish and efficient way to bring in more natural light and improve views. They can also help save energy costs by reducing heating and cooling expenses. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind before making the switch to these beautiful and functional doors.
The frame material and glazing level have a huge impact on the insulating properties of sliding glass doors. Choose a door with a low U-factor and an argon or krypton gas filling for maximum energy efficiency. This will ensure that heat doesn’t escape your home in the winter and air doesn’t enter it during the summer.
Another important factor is the glass coatings used on your doors. These can be tinted to block out harmful UV rays and infrared light. They can also help to reduce condensation and limit the amount of solar heat that passes through your home. Make sure to look for ENERGY STAR certification when shopping for sliding glass doors.
Aesthetically pleasing
Owning a home is an exciting time, as you are able to make changes to your property and turn it into a true reflection of you. One way to do this is by installing sliding doors. They are aesthetically pleasing and add an instant “wow” factor to any home. They also allow more natural light to enter your home, which improves mood and energy levels and helps regulate circadian rhythms.
Sliding glass doors have expansive panes of glass with rather narrow frames, which allows you to gaze at your garden and landscape, pool, or any other outdoor scenery from the comfort of your house. Moreover, the glass panels slide effortlessly to the side, making it easy to access the outdoors. Additionally, they don’t require swing space so they won’t interfere with entryways or nearby furniture. They are also fitted with shatterproof safety glass, which reduces the risk of injury if they break. This feature makes them safe for families and pets.
Low maintenance
Sliding glass doors are a great way to connect your indoor and outdoor spaces. Their large glass area and narrow frames allow you to gaze at your backyard and surrounding landscape from the comfort of any room in your home.
Moreover, these doors are also energy-efficient and easy to clean. This makes them an ideal choice for people with busy lifestyles and limited time to spend on house maintenance.
However, it is important to keep in mind that just like any other door or window, sliding glass doors need some regular care. Keeping the tracks and rollers lubricated will keep them working smoothly and prevent them from getting damaged or worn down. You can use silicone or graphite spray lubricant to do this. Avoid using oil-based lubricants, such as WD-40, which can attract dust and become gummy over time. It also helps if you have another person to help you lift the panel and expose the rollers so you can lubricate them.
Safety
While sliding glass doors provide many aesthetic and functional benefits, they can also pose security risks. Because they often have large areas of glass and narrow frames, criminals can easily see inside the home to determine whether a family is present.
Homeowners can reduce these risks by incorporating security features and upgrades into their new patio doors. For example, a security bar placed in the track can prevent criminals from prying open the door. This is an upgraded version of the traditional wooden dowel that many homeowners lay down along the track to stop a burglar from entering.
Other safety features that can be added include sill ramps to make it easier for family members with mobility issues to enter and exit the home. A ramp can also help them safely navigate debris that may have collected on the tracks after a Carolina summer storm. Lastly, a reinforced security shield like DefenseLite can stand up to blunt objects such as hammers or crowbars to prevent criminals from breaking through the tempered glass and entering your home.