Are you looking for a door that will seamlessly transition between the interior and exterior of your home? Sliding glass doors are some of the best, regardless of whether you need one for your patio, porch, or deck. They not only offer a durable and robust solution, but they are beautiful as well.
When it comes to choosing the best sliding glass doors for your home, you need to consider your needs and aesthetic preferences. From wood to fiberglass, among other materials, you have several options to choose from, and it can be quite easy to achieve your outdoor living goal.
Different Types of Sliding Glass Doors to Choose From
Sliding doors are a great solution in areas with furniture close to the door or tight spaces. In such areas, swinging doors would be too much trouble since they need space.
To begin with, you must identify what elements are most important to you. Would you like increased energy efficiency?
How important are colors for you? Are you installing a sliding glass door to maximize natural light? Let’s look at the options you have to choose from.
Frameless Sliding Glass Doors
Frameless glass doors are some of the best sliding glass doors and they have become increasingly popular due to their customization options and aesthetic appeal. They offer ventilation, uninterrupted views and safety since they are made from durable tempered glass. The lamination in the glass serves as a sound barrier as well. They come in a wide array of colors to choose from.
Vinyl Sliding Glass Doors
These are another option for one’s home, regardless of whether its a new construction or for replacement doors. Vinyl is one of the best materials out there, and it looks great on different varieties of architectural house styles.
One of the best things about vinyl is that it’s cost-effective. It’s also one of the most aesthetically appealing materials, and even though it’s plastic-based, it’s highly durable.
A few minor issues come with this material such as cracks from extreme temperature shifts. Additionally, vinyl is more flammable than most other materials.
Wood Sliding Glass Doors
Wood will give your home a traditional design look, and the best part is that you can have it stained to match your decor. You may also paint wood to your liking. However, given its natural state, wood needs regular maintenance in terms of staining and re-staining or repainting to maintain its shine.
Wood can also be quite expensive, and in time, it’s likely going to fade due to sunlight and warp due to moisture. If you really like wood, however, you can have it installed in the interior and have a more durable material on the exterior.
Steel Sliding Glass Doors
Steel is an extremely sturdy material and can withstand any weather conditions. It may not seem as stylish as other materials, but you can be sure it will neither bow nor warp, regardless of what happens to it. Steel is also great at insulation, which makes it energy efficient.
However, this is not to say they don’t have drawbacks. Steel is prone to rust in case of dents or scratches on the protective layer. Steel is also a conductor, and it will get very hot or very cold, depending on the weather.
Aluminum Sliding Glass Doors
Aluminum is almost as sturdy as steel and requires little to no maintenance. It is lighter compared to steel and happens to be very cost-effective and energy-efficient. These doors are not without drawbacks though because they are easier to scratch or dent than steel, and once the protective layers peel off, it can present other problems as well.
Fiberglass Sliding Glass Doors
Fiberglass is glass-based, but it mimics wood so well that it’s hard to tell them apart. The difference is that it does not come with the drawbacks that wood does. It is not only energy-efficient, but it requires little to no maintenance.
Its sturdy nature also makes it able to handle temperature shifts as well as any atmospheric conditions without rotting, warping, or deteriorating. Fiberglass offers some of the best sliding patio doors.
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Sliding Glass Doors
Apart from the aesthetic appeal you get from your modern sliding glass doors, you also need to think about how they’ll protect you. Energy efficiency is also an important factor to consider, and so is value-addition to your home.
Let’s look at other factors you must consider before making a choice.
Functionality means that you can choose frames that are easier to maintain like steel or fiberglass. If you want slim-framed doors, look for those that are thermally broken. This means that they have a thermal insulator between the interior and exterior frames.
Energy efficiency is highly important. Apart from bringing the light in your home, sliding glass needs to keep the dangerous sunlight frequencies out. During the cold seasons, the glass should reflect and conserve heat in the home.
The security of your home should not be overlooked, and you need to consider both accidental damage and deliberate break-ins. Factor in the internal locking system of the door to prevent others from opening it from outside. The glass should be tampered, double laminated, or polycarbonate, all of which which are highly resistant to impact.
Ready to Make a Choice?
The best sliding glass doors for you will be the ones that serve you needs. They will add value to your home, protect you while providing you with natural light, and look great doing it.
If you are on a budget, you can go with fiberglass or vinyl, both of which are inexpensive and can be customized to match the style of your home.
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