| Patio doors typically provide the transition | | | | Aluminum Patio Doors |
| from a kitchen or family room area to an | | | | |
| outdoor patio. Besides being a functional | | | | Aluminum patio doors are quite affordable; |
| component of a room, patio doors can also | | | | however they have poor insulation factors, |
| become an elegant central focus point of a | | | | and paint has the tendency to flake off of |
| room. | | | | them over time. Also, aluminum patio doors |
| | | | can damage easily and there is no easy way to |
| Patio door selection can be a complicated | | | | repair them. |
| task due to the many options homeowners can | | | | |
| choose from. However there are a couple of | | | | Vinyl Patio Doors |
| key aspects you should first consider when | | | | |
| selecting a patio door. | | | | Vinyl patio doors are notorious for cracking |
| | | | and there are limited color choices to choose |
| Key Patio Door Selection Criteria | | | | from, however they are inexpensive, have a |
| | | | decent insulation factor, are easy to install |
| Most importantly you need to consider the | | | | and for a time look good. They also will not |
| climate and weather in which you live in. If | | | | rot or warp over time. |
| you live in an area that has hard winters, | | | | |
| then it is important to select patio doors | | | | French Style Patio Doors |
| that are well thermally insulated, including | | | | |
| the glass. And whether or not you live in a | | | | French style patio doors are very popular |
| cold or hot climate, it is always wise to | | | | because of the amount of natural sunlight |
| select patio doors with at least 2 panes of | | | | they can let in and the elegance they can |
| Low-E glass to help prevent the transfer of | | | | provide to a room. French style patio door |
| heat into and out of the home. | | | | selection options include doors that open |
| | | | inwards into a room, bifold doors, and simple |
| Patio door sealing and weather stripping is | | | | slider doors. |
| another important aspect to carefully | | | | |
| consider. Again, particularly if you live in | | | | French style patio doors are typically quite |
| an extreme cold or hot climate, it is | | | | expensive due to their elegance, the higher |
| important that the patio door selected is | | | | quality of construction compared to other |
| properly sealed, and uses sealing and weather | | | | patio door options, and the higher number of |
| stripping materials that will stand the test | | | | moving parts associated with them. Also, |
| of time over harsh temperatures. | | | | typically French patio doors include two |
| | | | doors. As a home settles over time, it is not |
| Patio doors get a lot of use. Consequently, | | | | uncommon for the two doors to become askew |
| patio door selection should also include | | | | from one another causing difficulty in |
| careful consideration in the screen doors | | | | closing them and air infiltration. As a |
| associated with the patio door. Patio door | | | | result, periodic patio door maintenance is |
| selection should include looking for patio | | | | usually required with French patio doors. |
| doors that have well constructed screen door | | | | |
| components that will withstand thousands of | | | | Sliding Patio Doors |
| opening and closings. | | | | |
| | | | Sliding patio doors are extremely popular |
| Finally, patio doors can provide a tremendous | | | | with home homeowners. They let in a lot of |
| amount of light into a room, depending upon | | | | natural light, are easy to maintain, and do |
| the type of patio door selected. Good patio | | | | not impinge upon the room as do inward |
| door selection should consider the room where | | | | opening French style patio doors. They are |
| the patio door will be installed to determine | | | | also easy to adjust and are constructed out |
| if more or less natural light is preferred. | | | | of wood, vinyl, or aluminum material. |
| | | | |
| Listed below are a number of patio door | | | | Installation of Patio Doors |
| selection options to consider for your home: | | | | |
| | | | The installation of patio doors involves a |
| Wooden Patio Doors | | | | fairly high skill level in framing and |
| | | | construction, and thus it should probably be |
| Wooden patio doors are relatively affordable, | | | | left to the professionals. If the patio door |
| look great and have a relatively good | | | | is being installed into an existing wall, |
| insulation factor. However they typically | | | | significant demolition, and framing are |
| require regular maintenance. Also, they are | | | | required. Framing will require the |
| more susceptible to moisture problems and | | | | installation of studs and headers into the |
| damage, which can lead to door swelling and | | | | wall, and temporary bracing may be required |
| eventual rot. Proper door installation using | | | | during the framing. Consequently, it is best |
| a watershield can mitigate this concern. | | | | to leave this work to the skilled carpenter. |
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