Benefits of French Patio Doors
Thinking about replacing your worn out, shabby-looking sliding glass patio doors? Consider replacing them with exterior French patio doors. Their style and construction have kept pace with modern, energy-efficient construction; new models are head and shoulders above the same type of doors installed in homes built in the 20th century, even the late 20th century.
Also called swinging or hinged patio doors, these patio doors can swing either inward or outward from their center. The swing out styles cannot be kicked in or pried open. The hinges are exposed on the outside but have non-removable pins that cannot be removed from the outside. These doors lock with a steel rod at the top and bottom, plus there’s a deadbolt crossing from the primary to the stationary door for a three-point locking system. Swinging patio doors have lever-type doorknobs which can be integrated into a multi-point locking system that automatically engages the locks at three points when the handle is pulled up.
When both doors are fully open it creates an opening that can be twice as wide as the opening of sliding patio doors. This is convenient for moving large pieces of furniture into the home, but can also easily accommodate many guests at large parties or gatherings. The French door threshold is smaller and lower, which reduces the likelihood of someone tripping on it. French doors are also easier to open and close than sliding patio doors and are ideal for the disabled or senior citizens.
French doors have wider frames than sliding patio doors. The trim is available in many styles and can be customized to match the interior design of your home. Installed with an identical, but a stationary door on either side of the functioning doors creates an area of glass twice the size as most sliding doors. Swinging patio doors combine quite well with traditional, classical architecture and usually fit in seamlessly with the style of older homes. Although hinged patio doors are touted as perfect for traditional looking homes, they can also fit into modern architecture by using a modern-looking and styled trim.
The new models of exterior French patio doors are energy efficient. They feature thicker glass than sliding patio doors — 1 inch to 1 3/4 inches for French doors versus 1/4 inch to 5/8 inch for sliding glass doors. Hinged patio doors also feature double panes of glass for improved energy efficiency. Solar heat transmission with Low E glass is four times better than the standard glass used with traditional sliding glass patio doors. This means the sun will help warm your home in winter. Exterior French doors seal better than sliding doors; they effectively keep outside air, water, and moisture out of the house.
If you’ve had enough tugging and pulling trying to open your sliding patio doors, French doors may be the answer for you. If you can’t stand near your sliding patio door in the winter because of the constant drafts, French doors may be the answer for you. And if you want to feel more secure and possibly foil a burglar trying to break into your home, French doors may be the answer for you.
Call us at Peach Building Products Doors and Windows. We’re waiting to happily help you pick out the new addition to your home and help you customize it to match your interior design. Then we’ll cheerfully install it for you.
About the Author:
Peach Building Products Doors & Windows is Utah’s most trusted home improvement supplier. From custom doors, windows, skylights, sunrooms, shutters and blinds, we’ve been making happy homeowners for over 23 years.
Peach Building Products Doors & Windows
7220 S 900 E
Midvale, UT 84047
(801) 566–1255
