Adding A Sliding Glass Patio Door To Your House
Installing a patio door can be an upgrade that is practical while also providing for a nice view of your yard or patio area. Before you will be in a position to make decisions about this improvement to your property, there are many potential questions that might need to be addressed.
Will A Sliding Patio Door Let Water Into Your Home?
Due to the design of a sliding glass patio door, homeowners might assume that they will be able to let water into the home when it rains. However, these doors utilize weatherstripping that is able to block water from entering through the edges of the door. This weatherstripping will need periodic replacement, but most patio doors can go for years before the weatherstripping becomes degraded enough to warrant replacing it.
How Will A Glass Patio Door Impact Your Home's Energy Efficiency?
The energy efficiency impact of adding a glass patio door will vary with a number of different factors. While the large glass door can allow for convective heating or cooling, there are options for reducing this important. For example, the patio door may be tinted to block out solar heat gain. Additionally, there are insulated types of glass that will be able to further reduce these effects. Any sliding glass patio door will have an energy efficiency rating that can be used to help guide your decision-making process. If you ever find yourself needing to choose between competing for patio door options, this energy efficiency rating can be an excellent tiebreaker.
Are Glass Patio Doors Likely To Break During A Storm?
Strong storms can send debris flying at your home's exterior. However, this does not mean that your sliding glass patio doors will regularly be broken or otherwise damaged. These doors are made with impact resistant glass so that they will be able to withstand most of these routine impacts.
Can You Lock A Sliding Patio Door?
Locking the doors to a home is one of the most basic ways of securing the property. However, homeowners will often assume that a sliding glass door cannot be secured against unwanted access. However, these doors can utilize a number of different locking systems to ensure that the doors are as secured as possible. Sliding glass doors can also be equipped with sensors that your home's security system can monitor for unauthorized access of the house. Due to these features, homeowners will find that adding one of these doors does little for the overall risk profile of the house.