The patio doors on your house work hard. Think of how often you and your family are opening and closing them on any given day, especially during the warm months. How many times do you go inside to grab something when hanging out on your deck or in the backyard? Patio doors need to be more than just attractive—they also have to be useful and fit your family’s needs. When considering home improvements for your patio, consider the following types for your needs.

The Most Common Patio Door Styles

1. Sliding

Sliding doors require much less space than regular swinging doors, so they can be a great home improvement option for smaller rooms or decks. As their design naturally lets in a lot of light, they can also be very attractive for small spaces. Larger rooms may require several panels of sliding doors, and that can drive up the cost quite a bit. And though all-glass sliding doors look great, they can impact your energy bill unless you invest in some window treatments to block out the sun. 

2. Bi-Fold

The durable, customizable bi-fold door design is very popular these days. It combines the space-saving qualities of a sliding door with a more modern look. This style can let in just as much light and views as the sliding door, but the frame is a bit more durable. This means the frame is heavier, too, and more expensive to install.

3. French 

French doors offer a charming, traditional look, and they’re much more energy-efficient than sliding and bi-fold doors. They provide a tighter seal, and since they feature less glass, the impact on your HVAC bill will be even smaller. However, the trade-off is a reduced view with a little less natural light coming in. 

4. Single

If you have a small, narrow room without a lot of wall space, a single patio door may be the easiest way to go in your home improvement project. Single doors can be installed with double- or triple-glazed glass to make them extremely energy-efficient. Since they come in many different styles, it can be easy to find one that fits your home. Unfortunately, they won’t let a lot of light in, and the swinging action of the door will take up floor space as well.

Specializing in glass doors and patio windows, Clear-Vue has been providing quality home improvements to the Safety Harbor, FL, community for over 41 years. They understand the challenges of building Florida sunrooms and screening in family spaces, and they can help you find glass windows and doors that accentuate your style. Whether you’re remodeling or simply pricing window replacements, these expert technicians are here to help you with your every need. Call (727) 726-5386 for an estimate or learn more about their services online.