The range of patio door options can appear endless and ultimately be quite confusing. At One Stop Joinery we are here to assist you with finding the perfect patio doors for your home. We can help you work out what is best for your unique property.
Why have patio doors?
Patio doors have countless benefits. Installing patio doors creates a greater sense of connection between home and garden. Even in the rainy downpours of British weather you can still feel as if you are standing in your garden whilst staying dry. Natural light has massive health benefits both physically and mentally; and installing patio doors helps increase your intake of sunlight. Did you know that the introduction of patio doors can add value to your property whilst also reducing energy costs.
Types of patio doors
French doors:
French doors are one of the most popular patio doors available. They are comprised of a set consists of two hinged doors which open outwards to an outdoor area. French doors are perfect for those with a smaller area but would still like to have full access to the garden. One door can be opened at a time which make French doors a particularly versatile option to consider. In smaller areas, French doors allow for the largest window:frame ratio.
Bi-folding doors:
The cousin of French doors is Bi-folding doors. The connection between home and garden becomes seamless. Often hailed as the ‘ultimate door for the back of a house’ – Bi-folding doors fully open up the entire wall space to create one big area. Bi-folding doors are a row of glass door panels. Each folds open, and the panels tuck behind each other behind a wall and out of the way. With bi-folds you can flood the space with natural light, however there needs to be sufficient space. This is because the doors need room to fold and tuck away ideally behind the wall for the truly seamless appearance. Bi-folding doors do not have the versatility of opening one door at a time such as French doors. You can partially open them but you will see the concertinaed frames and panes.
Sliding doors:
Sliding doors are also very popular. Two or more large door panels, one or more of these panel(s) glide back and forth on rollers. Sliding doors are usually installed on larger wall areas than French doors. Due to the nature of sliding doors, there will always be a section which is not open. How much will depend on the design of the doors. The downfall of sliding doors is also where its greatest strength lies. As the panels slide parallel along the roller. The doors do not open out, stack or swing, the simple gliding motion is extremely easy to operate. Smaller gardens can benefit from Sliding doors as a result of the ‘space-saving’ capabilities. It is also possible to install motorised sliding doors for even greater ease of use.
Materials for patio doors
Luckily for the consumer, there is a large amount of choice and variety when it comes to materials. Each brings their own benefits and drawbacks. Considering multiple factors is necessary before choosing materials such as personal taste, budget, integration of door and door functionality. Patio door materials vary in terms of price, appearance and quality. There is a lot to consider!
Wooden Patio Doors:
Wooden patio doors come with the highest level of thermal performance. It is often believed that persistent maintenance is necessary to enjoy wooden patio doors. However, this is not the case, these patio doors are considered luxury and perform perfectly for years. They compliment homes which already include a large amount of natural materials. Patio doors made from wood’s main benefits include their high standard of insulation, very-long life and minimal maintenance. The drawback of wooden doors is the cost of production.
uPVC Patio Doors:
uPVC is categorically the most inexpensive material used when producing patio doors. French doors, Bi-folding doors and Sliding doors are all commonly found made out of uPVC. The doors are energy-efficient and usually stand up to the elements very well. The material suits a contemporary style of house. Under some circumstances however uPVC doors can be prone to cracking.
Aluminium Patio Doors:
A benefit of aluminium patio doors is that they are very flexible when it comes to sizing. uPVC and wood has some size restrictions however, aluminium works well in almost any size. Aluminium suits modern style houses. This is because aluminium allows small and discreet door hardware such as very small door hinges to be integrated into designs. Slimmer frame lines can be created with aluminium which allows for more natural light to enter the house. A ‘clean’ look is created.
Why wooden doors are better than other materials
Of course, in our eyes Wooden patio doors are always going to be the best. Here are all the reasons why. Wood is incredibly customisable. At One Stop Joinery we can tailor the doors in a huge range of paint finishes. It is also very easy to sand down and repaint wooden patio doors when the owners fancy changing. A previously mentioned, uPVC is a competitor of wood, this is rarely found in a colour other than white. This really limits options for the type of household that could make these types of doors work. For older properties there is no comparison when it comes to patio door material. Wooden patio doors are the best aesthetically for this type of house.
Comparison of materials
There are a number of studies that suggest uPVC frames are more damaging to the environment than their wooden counterparts. The main reasons put forward for this include; the significant levels of fossil fuels used in the production of the plastic, and the huge amount of energy that is used when working with chlorine. uPVC is made up of 57% chlorine. It should also be noted that it is still quite difficult to recycle uPVC.
Wooden frames on the other hand, are naturally renewable, this provides economic and environmental benefits in the long-term! The wooden frames are also biodegradable, therefore able to be recycled for new uses or burned for energy. For all the reasons listed, wooden frames tend to be seen as a more sustainable material choice over uPVC.
We also believe wood to be superior to aluminium, doors made from aluminium are prone to staining from water, if you live in an area that experiences a lot of rain then this may become a significant issue. Despite not rusting, these marks can be an eyesore. It is also much harder to budget in advance for aluminium patio doors this is due to the constant fluctuations in metal prices.
How do I know what patio doors are right for me?
Deciphering all the information regarding patio doors can be intimidating. French doors? Bi-folding doors? Sliding doors? And, should they be in Wood? uPVC? Or Aluminium? To make the decision-making process as simple as possible we ask consumers a few questions to help gauge what is right for them.
Firstly, establishing a purpose is essential. What is the reason for getting new patio doors? Is it to save money on energy bills in the long run? If so there are doors and materials that stand out immediately. Are you concerned about the aesthetic and whether or not it will fit the style of your house? Doors can certainly look out of place in the wrong setting. Think uPVC French doors on a Victorian era house.
Budget is another important factor of course.If the budget is not large enough you can rule certain styles and materials out. Lastly, look at your home, how much space do you have available to you. If there is very little garden space and furniture is nearby inside the house, a set of french doors are going to take up unnecessary space.A sliding door would suit needs best. Assessing each of these points will massively help simplify the choice ahead.
Points to consider?
Final thoughts to consider before going ahead with the purchase include; glass, there are many different types of glass available. Installing glass designed with the intention of helping lower energy bills is definitely something to consider. Other glass prioritises privacy for those within the home.
Window glazing refers to the actual glass inside of a window. Windows can be single, double or triple glaze. A single glaze is simply a single sheet of glass and is the least energy efficient of all the options. Double glaze window has two sheets of glass with a space in the middle filled with argon gas, this helps with insulation. There are three sheets of glass in a triple glaze, each with argon gas in-between. Triple glaze provides the best insulation however it is the most expensive option. One Stop joinery can provide windows at multiple levels of glaze.
Once you’ve settled on the design and material, the next step is getting a quote.
Contact us at One Stop Joinery to receive a quote on bespoke patio doors.
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