Buying Guide to Patio Doors

Patio doors can truly change the entire atmosphere of a home. They can open up a space and let natural light into a room. Patio doors are often an attractive feature to your home when leading out to a deck or stone patio. If you are choosing to buy a patio door, you can expect to spend quite a bit of money. Therefore, it is wise to be aware of what different patio doors have to offer in terms of energy efficiency and design.

Features of Patio Doors

There are two main types of patio doors: hinged and gliding doors. Deciding which type of patio doors to buy can be pretty easy if you take a look around the room you are putting them in. Is there any furniture in the way if you were to open a patio door to the interior of your home? When space is at a premium you may want to buy a gliding patio door. This would eliminate having to clear space for a hinged patio door to open. If space is not the issue, buying a hinged door can create an elegant look.

Next, you will need to decide the design of the door. Clear glass is very common but you can find quite a variety of designs. You will find etched glass doors in different patterns, French door designs with vinyl inserts and patio doors that come with blinds between the panes of glass. Which door you buy is completely up to your personal preference and budget. The fancier the patio door the more expensive it will likely be. Patio doors will come in a myriad of colors in stock, but in most cases you can special order a certain color if you like.

Many patio doors will also advertise energy star ratings and U-ratings. The lower the U-rating the better as it will be more energy efficient. Energy efficiency is paramount as energy prices have been skyrocketing in recent years. You should consult a store clerk for more information before you buy, ask for rating guides and tables that you could take a look at. Another way to check out U-ratings is by visiting http://www.nfrc.org/ (National Fenestration Rating Council).

Shopping for a Patio Door

Depending on where you go to look for a patio door, the selection will vary. I would recommend looking at a home improvement store like Menards, Home Depot or Lowe’s first. You will likely find that if you have a specialty door store in your area, the types of doors will be a bit more expensive but high in quality and variety. Home improvement stores will have less variety but they still do carry high quality patio doors in stock like Anderson, Pella and Crestline. This level of quality tends to suit most customers just fine.

Definitely talk to the store clerks at the store you go to. They are trained in their area of expertise and can give you tips to buying a high quality door at a good price. If you feel pressured to buy, simply walk away and go somewhere else. You do not want to be pressured into buying a patio door, it is something that you should take your time with and properly educate yourself about.

Choosing Your Product

What did it for me was choosing a product that I thought would increase the value of my home. I was sure to buy a high quality door that would be energy efficient as well as beautiful.

When choosing to buy, be sure that the patio door comes with a screen and hardware for the door. Ask how much extra it may cost to purchase those items separately if they do not come with the patio door. If it’s over budget, try looking for another door that does include these items.

It is also important to make sure you get a bargain since buying a patio door can be extremely expensive. You should try to go when home improvement stores have door sales or when there is an incentive to using a store credit card. There are times when using the store credit card can get you up to 10 percent off of your purchase. Imagine the savings if you were to buy a patio door for $1,000! Simply watch for commercials, check newspaper ads and visit the stores often to find these sales. When buying patio doors you’ll want to be sure you are truly weighing all of your options, including which is the best bang for your buck!

Reference:

• www.nfrc.org