Everything You Need to Know Before You Get a Replacement Patio Door

Whether you want more natural light in your home or a beautiful entryway to your backyard, a replacement patio door is the answer. No matter what room it’s in, you’ll love a new patio door.

You shouldn’t pick any patio door willy-nilly though. There are a few things you need to know before making a selection. Good thing you found our article.

Sit back because you’re about to learn everything you need to know about patio doors so you can get the best replacement in Madison.

Two Types of Replacement Patio Doors

Did you know there are different styles of patio doors? There are two different types to choose from:

• Sliding patio doors
• Swinging (french) patio doors

Each one has its own style and features. It’s up to you to pick the one that’s best for your Madison home.

Sliding Patio Doors

Sliding patio doors have several awesome benefits that may interest you:

• Easy to use
• Allows more light into your home
• Gives you more control over air circulation
• Low-maintenance

Since sliding patio doors move on a track, they’re very easy to open and close. They can be pushed and pulled with only one finger. This is perfect for homeowners of all ages.

Plus,  the window panes are really big.  That means you’ll allow a ton more natural light into your home. You won’t need to turn on the lights during the day anymore!

That’s not all large window panes are good for.

One great thing about sliding patio doors is that most come with a screen. You’ll be able to open your door to allow fresh air into your home without worrying about bugs getting inside. Now you can enjoy the cool Madison breeze this fall.

Since the panes of glass on sliding patio doors are so big, privacy might be a concern for you. Think again!

Some sliding patio doors come with built-in blinds that will allow you to obscure the window panes. This is great for any patio door if you want additional some privacy.

Swinging Patio Doors

Sliding patio doors aren’t the only replacement patio door style on the market. Swinging patio doors, also known as french patio doors, have many great benefits as well:

• Elegant looks
• Choice of swing direction
• Many customiable looks and styles
• Can be made of fiberglass or steel
• Built-in blinds

French patio doors consist of one or two doors that swing open and closed.  The first thing you’ll notice about them is their gorgeous looks.

Part of the reason they look so great is because of their many different color and style choices. You even have the option to get wood grain finishes. Your french patio doors can be the center piece of any room.

You have so many color and style choices because your french patio door can be made from steel or fiberglass. These materials have a wider range of customization options than other patio door materials.

That’s not all.

They may also foam filled for better insulation. This is dependent on the size of your glass inserts.

If it’s foam filled, your french patio door will trap more heat in your home This is perfect for those frigid Madison winter.

You might be thinking, “Since they swing open, I’m going to need to account for that extra space.”

While that is true, you have the choice for them to swing inwards or outwards. This allows you to customize how you want your french patio door to open. No need to rearrange your entire room for your new replacement patio door.

If you have the doors open outwards, you don’t have to worry about the furniture placement inside!

Much like the sliding patio doors, you have the option to get built-in blinds with your french patio doors. Privacy is never an issue.

Is Your Replacement Patio Door Energy Efficient?

You already know that some materials are more energy efficient than others. Why does that matter though?

Since Madison experiences all four seasons throughout the year, the temperature is always changing. You’ll want a replacement patio door that’s built for these conditions. Materials like fiberglass, steel and vinyl are great choices.

They’re built to trap heat in your home. Most steel and fiberglass patio doors are foam filled making it harder for air to travel through them. This adds r-value to your wall.

But what about the large window panes of sliding patio doors?

Some sliding patio doors have double pane, argon gas filled windows. Since argon is denser than air,  you’ll have less leakage through your windows.

You want a sliding patio door that’s energy efficient. It will make your home more comfortable year round. You’ll also save money on your heating and electric bills.

Look for the Energy Star Sticker

How do you know if a replacement patio door is energy efficient?

Look for the energy star sticker! These are only given out to products that are the best of the best in energy efficiency in their industry. Most patio door companies will have the sticker displayed on their door glass so customers can see it.

Know Your Door’s R-value

There’s a formula used in the door industry to determine the energy efficiency of a door – r-value:

R-value = Temperature Difference x Area x Time / Heat Loss

That looks extremely confusing. To put it simply, r-value measures the insulating material of your door and its resistance to heat.

You want your patio door’s r-value to be R-5 or R-6. Much like the energy star sticker, most door companies display this on their doors.

Make Your Home Beautiful Inside and Out

While both swinging and sliding patio doors are beautiful, you want to pick one that’s your style. Your patio door needs to fit into both the room it’s in and the exterior as well.

Thankfully, there are many different style and color choices from which to choose.  You’ll be able to make the perfect door for your home.

Installation Is Key to a Great Patio Door

You can’t have a beautiful, energy efficient replacement patio door if it’s installed poorly. It’s important to make sure that your door is correctly installed with no gaps. That way, your home is air tight.

You also want to make sure your patio door opens and closes correctly. If not, that means the door wasn’t correctly installed. It could be too big or too small for the door opening.

Hire a Professional

You might think replacing your patio door is easy, but it’s not. You want everything to be measured and installed correctly. The only surefire way of doing that is with a professional patio door installation.

They do this everyday. They’ll quickly and efficiently install your door without any problems.

The key is to go with a company that’s been around for a while. This means they’re trusted by homeowners like you looking for a replacement patio door.

Think of a company like Feldco. They’ve installed thousands of doors and have the experience to to ensure the job is right the first time. There’s a reason their customers aren’t just satisfied, they’re delighted.

Get a Replacement Patio Door for Your Madison Home

There are a few features you want in a replacement patio door:

• Completment both the inside and outside of your home
• Energy efficient
• Allows both natural light and fresh air into your home
• Have built-in blinds to control the privacy

If you’re interested in getting a replacement patio door, look no further than Feldco.  We have both swinging and sliding patio doors for you. Get a free quote now.