A Guide to Patio Door Styles: Choosing the Perfect Fit For Your Home
Most homeowners would agree that the door leading to any part of their house directly impacts that space’s feel and look. An attractive and secure opening can also help improve their home’s overall value.
If you’re considering replacing or adding a door to your recreation area, you’ll want to be selective with the style and materials to get the most out of your investment.
Here’s everything you should know about patio door styles and materials to find the most suitable fit for your home’s aesthetic.
Types of Patio Doors
Abundant fresh air, an unobstructed view, and a design that combines functionality and performance. These are the golden standards many look for in a patio door.
But before you call an installer, you must know about the different styles of patio doors, learn why they’re a top pick for many, and find the best fit for your home.
Sliding Patio Doors
For many homebuilders, sliding glass door styles are the standard choice for patios. These doors have two sliding panels (one fixed and one movable), offering a sleek and space-saving design.
They’re ideal for compact spaces where a traditional hinged door may get in the way. Requiring little force to swipe open, they’re effortless to operate even for kids and can stay open for easier access.
Sliding doors are on the affordable side, too, typically priced between $1,000 to $3,000. One con to sliding glass doors is they require frequent upkeep to prevent debris from damaging the rollers.
Swinging Patio Doors
We’re all familiar with swinging doors. They usually come in a single or double panel attached to the door frame with a left and right hinge.
One of the things homeowners like about swinging patio doors is versatility with their in-swing and out-swing capability. They also come in manual and automatic iterations, costing about $700 to $1,800 depending on the size and material.
Swinging patio doors are ideal for larger openings and are suitable for residential and commercial use.
Bi-Fold
Bi-fold or accordion doors are an attractive option for homeowners looking for an elegant, contemporary aesthetic. These remarkable inventions consist of a series of glass panels, folding back into each other to provide a stunning view of the outdoors.
The best part about bi-fold patio doors is they can open a significant portion of the wall, creating the illusion of an airy, unobstructed space. They’re also secure with several locking points and mechanisms for optimal safety.
Bi-fold doors are ideal for a wraparound deck overlooking the expansive outdoors. However, keep in mind that they don’t do well with screens and may invite bugs inside the property.
These accordion-like entryways cost around $3,000 to $10,000, making them quite a hefty investment.
French Hinged
French hinged is one of the many popular styles of French doors. Unlike sliding panels, these classic doors are installed in the doorframe through hinges. They often come with two glass panels inside a frame that can open outward from the center.
One advantage of these traditional entryways is they provide larger openings compared to sliding types. They’re also highly customizable, easy to install, and quite secure with many models coming with deadbolts.
Of course, there are cons to these classy designs, too.
The divider separating the two glass panels may limit the view. The swinging mechanism may not be as space-saving as a sliding entryway. French doors modern models can cost between $400 and $4,000 depending on the material.
Multi-Slide
Unlike traditional sliding doors where one of the two glass panels remains fixed, multi-slide doors have three or more expansive panels that can all move.
You can stack them on one side or part them in the middle, creating incredible wide openings that invite abundant natural light and air.
Some designs have a wall pocket to hide the panels, tucking them out of sight for a more stunning backyard vista. If you live on the seaside you can enjoy panoramic ocean views, too!
Besides seamless indoor-outdoor integration, multi-slides are customizable and allow you to pick how many panels to install. You can spend $1,500 to $5,000 depending on the size and number of panels.
One thing to note about multi-slide doors is they often have an elevated slider, making it harder to navigate if you’re in a wheelchair.
Pivot
Unlike most doors, which are attached to the side of the frame, a pivot door is hinged at the top and bottom of the door, allowing the panel to rotate about a vertical axis.
Pivot doors open to both sides at a 90-degree angle and are easy to operate even with hands full. Simply walk through it, and let the door fall shut soundlessly behind you.
On the downside, these modern entryways can be complicated and costly to install, ranging from $2,000 to $5,000. On the upside, pivot doors look sleek, unique, and incredibly appealing!
Patio Door Materials
The patio door’s material is another crucial decision if you want to preserve or aim for a particular aesthetic. To help you decide, here’s a roundup of the best patio door materials to bring character to your home:
Aluminium
Aluminum has many perks you can find on heavier materials like steel. It’s lighter and is often cheaper than many of its counterparts. So, you can rest easy knowing renovations won’t burn a hole in your pocket.
When installed correctly, aluminum patio doors can be incredibly efficient for your energy usage. Not to mention they require minimal upkeep to last years.
There are several downsides to using aluminum, though. The lightweight construction makes the door easier to dent, and despite being resistant to corrosion and scratches, its protective layers can break down and cause serious issues.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass is the jack-of-all-trades in home construction. It has all the great qualities of vinyl and can mimic the aesthetic of wood almost perfectly without the usual drawbacks of organic material like rotting or cracking.
Like aluminum, fiberglass door panels demand little attention. Moreover, they can withstand extreme weather conditions like a champ, whether you’re living in a freezing or scalding region.
Compared to other materials, fiberglass boasts excellent energy efficiency. So, if you’re worried about your bills, opting for a fiberglass patio door is a no-brainer.
Wood
Wood is a stunning choice for those who prefer a classy, elegant touch on their patios. The distinctive appearance and finish of the wooden entryway lend a timeless aesthetic appeal you won’t get from others.
A wooden door’s natural insulation properties and design versatility make it a coveted choice for many homeowners.
All these amazing perks don’t come for free, though. While less durable than fiberglass, steel, or vinyl, wooden patio doors are on the expensive side of the price spectrum.
Compared to other materials, a wooden door is less energy-efficient and may drive up your bills. The natural material is also prone to weather damage and can warp or deteriorate from exposure to heat or cold.
One consolation to this is that wood is relatively easier to repair. Minor scratches, fading, and stains can be fixed with a little bit of sanding and refinishing.
Vinyl
Vinyl is used in many home products, including patio doors. Also known as polyvinyl chloride, this type of plastic is incredibly affordable and versatile—both in design and functionality.
As a patio door material, vinyl is among the top in the charts for energy efficiency. It goes toe-to-toe with fiberglass in durability and can endure punishing weather conditions without signs of deterioration.
Most importantly, vinyl looks beautiful with an endless variety of attractive designs to match your home’s appeal.
However, avoid exposing your vinyl door to sudden and extreme temperature shifts. Despite appearances, it’s plastic and can crack under such circumstances.
Steel
Some may think it outdated, but there’s a unique appeal to having a steel door in your home. While it doesn’t have the charm of wood or vinyl’s modern touch, metal is your sturdiest companion for weather protection.
Steel costs less than wood and requires minimal attention to maintain. Bending and warping aren’t an issue as well.
On the flip side, metal is prone to rusting when exposed to moisture. Unlike plastic, a steel door conducts temperature and can get uncomfortably cold or hot depending on the weather.
Choosing the Best Patio Door Styles?
Choosing a patio door can get overwhelming as every style and material offers a unique charm and functional appeal.
That said, your region’s climate is a crucial factor to consider. For instance, French-hinged doors are ideal for the cold as long as they swing inward.
French-style sliding patio doors also work best in warmer or covered areas, where water can’t reach the rollers and turn them frozen solid.
Energy efficiency is another important factor to ponder upon. Steel, vinyl, and fiberglass are typically the best picks to save heating or cooling bills.
If you’re torn between these fantastic door options, our experts are always ready to help. Contact Evergreen Door & Window and book a free estimate today!
