Patio doors Carencro LA are a home improvement that can elevate your living spaces, while increasing the resale value of your property. Choosing the right door can help you maximize your indoor-outdoor connection and make your home more energy efficient.
Whether you’re looking for a sleek sliding option or something more traditional, Milgard and US Window & Door have plenty of options to choose from. But what features should you prioritize when picking a new patio door?
Aesthetics
Patio doors offer a blend of beauty and functionality, providing a seamless transition between indoor living spaces and outdoor areas like gardens or patios. They often feature large glass panes for unobstructed views and access to natural light, making them a popular choice in modern home designs.
Sliding patio doors open by sliding past one another along a track, ideal for homes with limited space around the doorway. Bifold doors, also known as accordion patio doors, fold upon themselves when opened before sliding to one side, saving space and creating a wider opening. French patio doors provide a classic look that complements a wide range of home styles, swinging open to create a wide entryway.
Aluminum patio doors are resistant to corrosion and require little maintenance, making them a smart choice for Carencro’s humid climate. They also feature a slim profile to maximize the amount of glass for a beautiful aesthetic. Fiberglass patio doors are highly customizable, offering the look of wood without the need for regular upkeep and maintenance.
Energy Efficiency
Patio doors can contribute significantly to the energy efficiency of a home, especially with modern innovations in glass and frame design. These designs can help keep out heat in summer and cold in winter, keeping indoor temperatures more comfortable. With Carencro’s varied climate, this can reduce the reliance on air conditioning and heating systems, which will lead to lower energy costs.
The style of a patio door plays a large role in its energy efficiency, as well. Sliding doors, which feature panels that slide horizontally on tracks, are space-efficient and ideal for homes with limited wall space. They also provide unobstructed views and access to outdoor spaces, with different glass pane and frame options for customization.
French patio doors, on the other hand, swing open from the center and have more opportunities for leakage than other styles. Top-tier window manufacturers like Marvin use composite fiberglass frames that expand and contract at the same rate as the glass to create a tight seal, with minimal energy loss.
Durability
The lifespan of your patio doors can have a significant impact on your home’s energy efficiency and functionality. Recognizing the signs of wear and tear can help you decide when it’s time to replace them.
The longevity of your doors depends on proper maintenance. Regular cleaning can keep them in good condition, and lubricating the moving parts of your sliding doors can reduce friction and prevent excessive strain on the hardware. You should also regularly inspect your patio doors for cracks or gaps that could compromise the seal and lead to air leakage.
Weather conditions also significantly affect the lifespan of patio doors. Prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures can cause materials to expand and contract, resulting in gaps that compromise insulation. Heavy rainfall or snow can lead to water infiltration, causing wood rot and other structural damage. Direct sunlight can also fade and discolor patio door materials, reducing their aesthetic appeal.
Security
In addition to their energy efficiency and durability features, modern patio doors also offer a number of security measures. These include frame and hinge reinforcement kits, high-security keyed locks, integration with a home alarm system, and more. Implementing a layered security approach is critical to prevent burglars from taking advantage of any weak points in the door or frame.
Unlike sliding glass doors, patio doors open outward on hinges rather than sliding past each other or tucked into a track. This makes them more difficult to lift from the track and gain entry into your home.
However, determined burglars can still break in through the top or bottom of your patio door. That’s why we recommend investing in a blocking bar that secures the bottom track and prevents a patio door from opening. Alternatively, you can opt for multi-point locking mechanisms that exceed forced-entry codes and guarantee better insulation compression. Milgard’s Tuscany series features this premium locking mechanism, which is standard on all of our French patio doors.