A Complete Buyers Guide To Patio Doors

A COMPLETE BUYER’S GUIDE TO PATIO DOORS

A new set of patio doors can not only improve the functionality of your home, but also the aesthetics, security, and ultimately, its value. Some households simply want to enhance their property with something a little more interesting than your usual single external door, while others want to raise the value of their home with up-to-date features. The various styles of patio door can help you to achieve these goals, no matter what your priorities are.

There are three main types of patio door available – Sliding, French and Bi-Fold. The best door design for you depends on a number of factors — namely the space you have to work with, the style of your property, and what you most want to get out of your new doors (e.g. better view, improved access, or enhancing the style of your property). So; where should you begin? Let’s start by looking at the pros and cons of each type of patio door in more detail:

FRENCH DOORS

French doors are great for smaller patio openings and consist of two doors which open from the centre. There is not usually a bar running down the middle of the doors, so when you open both sides the opening is unobstructed and wider than the traditional single external door. Our French doors are made to measure, giving you a completely bespoke door set which fits your home perfectly.

SLIDING PATIO DOORS

uPVC French Doors and Sliding Patio Doors can be fitted to both small and large openings and are made to measure, allowing you to configure them in the best way for you and your property. Sliding doors can be opened up to the full width of the sliding panel, making them perfect for when the weather is good or you need to move large items in and out of your home.

BI-FOLD DOORS

Aluminium Bi Fold Doors and uPVC Bi-Fold doors are a relatively new product in the UK, but they’ve become extremely popular in a short space of time. They can span a small or large opening and are designed to fold right back to one side in a concertina fashion. This will allow you to open your home right up, bringing the outside in and really making the most of your garden or view. Available in aluminium or uPVC versions and made to measure, Bi-Fold doors can enhance almost any style of property.

WHICH PATIO DOORS ARE BEST FOR ME? Q&A

Q: I USE MY PATIO DOORS FREQUENTLY

A: If you use your patio doors regularly as a way to get in and out of your home, or if you spend a lot of time in your garden, then you’ll want something easy to use. You’ll also want a door which doesn’t require you to open the full width of the space up to the elements each time.

French doors lend themselves well to smaller openings where this is the case, as just one door can be used to pop in and out of the property. If you’re transporting large items in and out of your home or if you’d like to let the fresh air in on sunny days, both doors can be opened.

Sliding patio doors can be opened to just the width you need to squeeze through, which helps to keep the heat in during the winter months. However, depending on the size of your Sliding doors, this may not be easy to do for those without the required strength, such as the very elderly or young children.

BiFold patio doors will need to be fitted with a ‘traffic door’ if you don’t want to have to open up the full door set each time you need to use it. The traffic door acts like a normal door and can be used independently from the rest of the panels.

Q: I ONLY USE MY PATIO DOORS IN THE SUMMER

A: If you only use your patio doors when it’s summer, perhaps in order to let fresh air and sunshine into your home or to make the transition from kitchen to garden easier when hosting BBQs, you have one stand-out option. BiFold doors really come into their own during the summer months, allowing you to open up almost the full width of your patio door opening. This creates a seamless transition between outdoors and indoors and is ideal for those who want to enjoy their gardens more in the summer. Of course, Sliding and French patio doors are also great for summer use, as they can also open up a wide space. Your choice depends on the space you have available and your personal tastes.

Q: I’M LOOKING FOR THE MOST SECURE PATIO DOORS

A: Burglars tend to target the rear of a home due to the fact it’s easier to stay hidden in the garden, which gives them more time to attempt entry to your property. If you’re concerned about security, new patio doors — no matter which type they are — are a good idea. Modern construction techniques and built-in security features help modern patio doors withstand attempted entry much more effectively than older ones.

Q: I HAVE A GREAT VIEW - HOW CAN I MAXIMISE WHAT I SEE?

A: Bi Fold doors and Sliding patio doors give you the biggest surface area of glass, making them both a great option to maximise your view. If you are able to extend the opening to fit wider doors in, this can be very effective – particularly when it comes to fitting Bi Fold doors.

Q: I WANT LOW MAINTENANCE PATIO DOORS

A: As a general rule, patio doors made of aluminium or uPVC are relatively maintenance-free options, and should be your material of choice if you don’t want to worry about too much in the way of upkeep. Solid timber doors may need to be treated over the course of their lifetime, so if you’re looking for something totally maintenance-free, they aren’t the best option for you.

Q: MY PATIO DOORS NEED TO MATCH THE STYLE OF MY PROPERTY

A: In terms of customisation, aluminium doors are available in a wide variety of colours, meaning there’s almost certainly an option to match the colour scheme of your property. Both uPVC and aluminium doors can be customised to suit any style of home, with options such as timber-look finishes and Georgian bars. Our full range of patio doors are fully customisable to complement your property perfectly.

Q: MY PATIO DOORS OPEN OUT ONTO A BALCONY

A: If you don’t have a garden then you may be confused as to what is available to you, as most patio door guides will exclusively refer to ground-level installations. All of our patio doors — including Bi Folds — can be installed on higher floors to open out onto a balcony or raised terrace. If you’d like to have your balcony measured to see what options are available to you, we welcome you to book a free survey with us, in which one of our experienced surveyors will be able to advise you on the best option.

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