We Can Install Great Alternatives to the Traditional Patio Sliding Patio Doors for St. Paul Homes

If someone says patio door, just about everyone pictures the same thing:  a white vinyl two-door configuration with one fixed side and one sliding panel.  And chances are, if you’ve got a deck or patio, you likely have a door like this in your home.  Sure, those sliding doors make access to the outdoors easy, but they have drawbacks:

• They lack security.  Do you put a cut-off broom handle or narrow strip of wood in your track like many do?  Okay, that keeps someone from sliding the door open if they’ve breached the locks (easy to do, since many of them are pretty flimsy.
• Those tracks fill up with dirt and dust and are a pain in the you-know-what to clean.
• They can be difficult to weather-proof.
• Cleaning the exterior surface can be challenging in the winter.
• Keep glass cleaner on hand if you’ve got pets or kids.  Those glass panels are almost a magnet for fingerprints.  Even adults are likely to leave them behind when they grab the handle to open or close the door.
• Older models are not very energy-efficient due to the amount of glass.  (There have been improvements in the thermal performance of more up-to-date models, however.)

And here’s the one we hear most often from owners of older homes: The modern styling doesn’t fit.

Fortunately, you’ve got alternatives that can work in that same size door opening.  Or if you’ve got the wall space, you might consider enlarging the opening.

In-swing or out-swing French style patio doors.  If you choose this option you can opt for full glass or partial glass.  And the price of these doors is generally comparable to sliding doors.  You’ll also find there are more customizable features like grids and hardware.  These doors are often our recommendation for people with more traditional style homes.

Bi-fold Patio Doors.  These doors are gaining in popularity.  Unlike the standard sliding door configuration that only allows half the area to be open, the bi-fold patio door collapses to one side, giving an almost full opening to use.  This can be beneficial for moving items in and out.  Homeowners with large patios (especially those that have outdoor kitchens) love the bi-fold style of door because it allows for an easy transition between indoor and outdoor living.

Sliding Patio Doors with More Traditional Styling.  We install these doors as well – like the ones shown in this photo.  The grids and door style have the look of French doors but operate like a regular sliding door.

If it’s time for a new look for your patio door, let’s talk!  We’d love to show you some alternatives you might not have considered.  We are a licensed Minneapolis home improvement contractor, and we install energy-efficient patio doors (and other exterior doors as well as replacement windows) in the greater Twin Cities area.  Whether your home is up-to-the-minute modern or an older or historic home whose traditional charm you’d like to preserve, we’re confident we can help you find the perfect door solution.

 

 

 

 

 

Window Outfitters is a premier Window Replacement, doors, siding contractor and installer. As Contractor in the St Paul, Minneapolis, (Twin Cities) Minnesota (MN) metro, we proudly serve, but are not limited to, the following areas: Minneapolis Energy Efficient Vinyl Windows, Replacement Window Contractors Minnesota, Burnsville, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Savage, Bloomington, Edina, Richfield, Eagan, St Paul, Hastings, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Eden Prairie, Farmington MN, Chaska, Shakopee, Chanhassen, Victoria, Mendota Heights Anderson Windows Minneapolis, Marvin Windows Minneapolis.