A patio door is an important feature in any home. It provides access to your balcony and lets in a lot of natural light to interior spaces.

Nowadays, they’re available in different styles and materials to suit various projects. It’s important to select a design that suits the style of your home.

People are likely to shop for a new patio door because it’s worn out, damaged or they’re renovating their home. Innovation has enabled production of secure, durable and energy efficient doors. There are several factors that have to be considered when choosing the right door. If you’re uncertain about the type of door you want, this guide may help you make the right decision.

Style

When choosing a patio door, functionality and aesthetics come into play. Below is a brief description of patio door styles.

Swinging Patio Doors – they’re also referred to as hinged patio doors. They feature full glass panels and frequently hung in pairs. The doors are hinged to a central mullion and open like a butterfly’s wings. Another type of a hinged door is the French door, which features hinges at the side jambs; the panels meet as you close the door. The latch features an astragal fixed to one of the doors.

Sliding Patio Doors – sliding patio doors are popular and ideal for small spaces. These doors are also referred to as gliding or bypass doors; they let in a lot of natural light and last longer. Sliding panels are incorporated with panels to create a wide continuous surface of glass. The glass panels slide parallel to the wall so it will not interfere with walking space and furniture.

Folding Doors – in recent years, these doors have gained popularity. These are sliding doors made in such a way that the leaves fold back together. Folding doors are ideal for large spaces, which open to the outdoors.

Space

If there is enough space in the room, you have a wide selection of doors to choose from. If the space is small, you should consider a patio door with one swinging door that will open fully. Or a sliding door which slides parallel to the wall.

Functionality

When choosing your patio door, ensure that it can withstand high traffic. If deliveries, children, visitors and other things are likely to go in and out of your door, you need to choose a strong material. You may consider installing fiberglass doors which are beautiful, strong and require little maintenance.

Climate

Toronto’s climate is modified by its proximity to Lake Ontario. It mainly experiences warm, humid summer and cold winters. In such a location, you need an energy efficient door to conserve more energy.

This will save you more money reducing utility costs while increasing energy efficiency. You can choose a patio door design, which features a double pane glass or thermally insulated panes. Ensure that the weather stripping on the doors is of high quality to prevent airflow.

Material

Choose a material that’s durable and requires little or no maintenance. Wood is expensive and will require regular maintenance. It may not be the best option especially in harsh climates. Fiberglass resembles the grain pattern of real wood and requires little maintenance. These doors are ideal because they can withstand harsh climates. While steel doors are more secure and durable, they may require maintenance in moist climates. Patio doors made from vinyl are energy efficient, durable and can withstand harsh weather. This material does not peel, fade or rot.

Ensure that the material you’ve chosen matches or complements the color scheme in your home. For example, a vinyl door with a wood siding would look mismatched. A fiberglass door could do the trick because it complements the wood siding.