4 Crucial Factors to Consider When Buying Sliding Glass Doors for Your Patio

Sliding patio doors are perfect for both small and large spaces. Their hingeless design allows you to utilise the area around the door. Sliding glass doors brighten indoor spaces and provide an unobstructed view of the patio and yard. If you are in the market for new sliding glass doors, here are four factors to consider before purchasing.

Door quality

Before buying sliding patio doors, assess the quality of the materials. Check the glass, door frame and hardware. A quality patio door should have tempered or toughened glass. This glass is stronger than conventional ones, making it less susceptible to breakage. Thus, if your kids and pets love playing in the yard, you don't have to worry about them breaking your patio door.

Choose a durable door framing material that won't crack, chip, fade or wear after exposure to the elements. Wood is a sturdy and durable material, but it can warp when exposed to moisture. Aluminium and vinyl are both durable and resistant to weather elements; however, aluminium sturdier than vinyl. Fibreglass is resistant to scratching and fading, and it's a low-maintenance framing material.

Door functionality

Patio doors should be easy and convenient to operate. Thus, as you shop around, assess the functionality of the available options. For example, automatic sliding doors are more convenient as compared to their manual counterparts. Self-closing patio doors are a great addition to your home, especially if you have kids and pets. 

As you assess your options, consider other factors such as glass tint. If you want to minimise solar glare or increase privacy, you can opt for tinted glass. Today there are various film options to suit different needs. For example, you can install one-way window films which allow persons in the house to see the outdoors. However, those outside the home cannot see through the glass. 

Energy efficiency

An inefficient patio glass door can undermine your energy savings goals. Even if you have home insulation, the doors will allow heat exchange between your house and the outdoors and increase your energy costs. Therefore, choose patio doors with the following energy-efficiency features:

• Double-glazed or triple glazed glass to prevent heat exchange
• Insulated door framing to reduce air leaks through the frame
• UV-blocking window film to prevent heat gain through the glass

Energy-efficient patio doors can significantly lower your annual heating and cooling costs.

Security features

Patio doors can act as a weak point for intruders. Therefore, ensure that the door has security features to deter burglars from your home. These include impact-resistant glass and burglar-proof locking systems. You can also add security features such as door alarms and surveillance cameras to scare off would-be intruders.

Consider the above tips when shopping for glass patio doors. Contact sliding door suppliers to learn more.