Patio doors are an essential part of every home. They may simply provide entry way into your home from your patio or deck. They may also provide natural light and airflow. There is no shortage of the type of patio doors on the market. In fact, it may seem like there are too many to pick from. The two most popular are exterior entry doors and exterior french doors. Some may have glass inserts while others may be solid panels. Some are impact resistant, while others are not. And while picking the right type of patio entry door can seem stressful it does not need to be. In this guide we give guidance on what to look for when selecting a patio door to withstand Florida’s unique requirements.
Learn more about Impact Doors in Southwest Florida.
Introduction to Patio Doors
The main function of patio entry doors is to provide an entryway from your patio, deck, yard, etc. into your home. This is true regardless of the type of patio door you choose.
If your house has an existing patio door, you will be limited to the type and size door that is there. It is possible to replace a standard entry door with a french door, or a larger entry door, but you will need to modify the opening size to fit it.
Functions & Benefits of Patio Entry Doors
All patio entry doors are functional in nature. Some are more functional than others. The benefits of patio doors include:
- Regress – first and foremost, they provide a way to enter and leave your home.
- Sunlight – doors with glass inserts provide natural light into your home. This reduces the use of lights during the day, and generally helps brighten your home’s interior.
- Views outside – glass inserts also provide views outside without having to open the door. This of course offers more connection with the outside world and reduces the need to open your door to see outside.
- Noise reduction – another benefit of many patio doors is that they provide noise reduction. This is helpful for making your home quieter and more enjoyable.
These benefits help create a convenient, peaceful environment inside your home.
Benefits of Impact Patio Entry Doors
In hurricane-prone areas like Florida, the hurricane protection offered by impact resistant patio doors is a major benefit. These doors are engineered to withstand intense hurricane winds and flying debris. There are versions with impact glass inserts as well if you prefer doors with glass.
They keep your home and family safe during the most extreme weather conditions. In addition, their strength and impact resistance adds an extra layer of security protection, deterring potential intruders and preventing break-ins.
You also do not need to add exterior hurricane protection over them because they are impact resistant.
Exploring Various Types of Patio Doors
When it comes to patio doors, you have some options. The type you pick might be determined by the existing opening you have. That is unless you have a new construction or you are able and willing to do renovations to fit the door. If so, then you will have your pick from any of the options.
Another popular choice for patios is sliding glass doors, we do not cover here, but you can read all about them in our patio sliding door ultimate guide.
Hinged Entry Doors
Hinged patio doors are standard, hinged, exterior doors. These exterior entry doors are hinged on the side, and open either inward (into the house) or outward (outside). They can be used for a patio. Alternatively, they can be used as an exterior entrance door, such as a door on the side of a garage that leads outside.
Hinged patio doors are common for Florida homeowners that have enough room for a full swing door. Compared to sliding glass doors, they offer a good level of security, typically better energy efficiency, and require lower maintenance.
On the downside, they require more room vs a sliding door. They also do not offer the same level of natural light and views that a slider does.
Hinged patio doors come in many styles and designs. They can be solid panel doors or they can have glass inserts. The glass inserts vary in sizes and styles. For homeowners in hurricane-prone areas Florida, you can opt for impact resistant materials and impact glass inserts for added peace of mind.
French Patio Doors
If you are looking for a larger door opening or more sun light, exterior french patio doors are a good option. Like hinged patio doors, these require enough room for the doors to open in the home. They are well suited for large rooms.
If you currently have a french door you can get a replacement. If you do not have a french door you may need to modify the size of your door opening to fit one. While this is not impossible. it does add some cost to your project. So this should be taken into consideration when deciding if it is right for you.
Like hinged doors, french patio doors are available with impact glass for added peace of mind in hurricane-prone areas.
Energy-Efficient Patio Doors
Energy-efficient doors are becoming increasingly popular in areas with extreme temperatures. This is especially true in areas like South and Southwest Florida, where the heat can be overwhelming. The extreme heat takes a toll of your HVAC system and your money. It also is not very enjoyable to be in a hot home.
Fortunately, you can get patio entry doors, like other doors and windows, in energy efficient models. These entry doors look like regular ones, but they are made with energy efficient parts, including insulated glass (or insulated impact glass), higher performance seals, and insulated frames.
Energy efficient doors minimize heat (and cold) transfer through the door. In turn, energy-efficient patio doors keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. This means your HVAC system works less, which means your utility bills will be lower.
You can also get impact doors with insulated impact glass. This uses impact glass plus a third panel with a gap in between. This specific window glazing provides hurricane protection and security protection while boosting the door’s insulating properties. These doors are an excellent choice for homeowners who want to reduce their HVAC bills and protect their home during the Florida hurricane season.
Comparing Hinged Patio Doors vs. French Patio Doors
The decision between a hinged door and a French patio door involves a few considerations. Each type of patio door offers distinct features that can impact your home’s design, functionality, and your budget. Understanding these differences can help you make an informed decision that aligns your purchase with your needs and preferences.
What Size Opening You Have
Usually the biggest factor in which type of replacement patio door you install is the size opening you already have. For example, fitting a French door into a single hung door opening is not possible without changing the opening size.
If you are looking for a one to one replacement you should pick the type and size door you already have. On the other hand, if you have the space, willingness, and budget to do it you can change the size of the opening to fit the larger door.
Functionality Comparison
When it comes to functionality, French patio doors offer some advantages vs single patio entry doors.
Patio French doors provide a much larger opening (usually double the size). The larger opening is great for opening up your home to fresh air and sunlight. If entertaining is important, it also offers up a larger opening for guests to move from inside to outside.
In addition, French doors are generally viewed as more aesthetically pleasing.
On the flip side, french doors require much more room than a single, hinged door. In turn, you need to have a large amount of space to use them fully. This means they are not ideal for every patio, especially ones leading into interior rooms with smaller spaces.
Impact sliding doors are a great alternative for adding a large opening to an area with limited space.
Cost Analysis
Cost is always an important factor when selecting a patio entry door. Different doors, even those that are the same style, have varying price points. Hinged entry doors tend to be more affordable vs French doors. However, the cost will vary depending on brand, materials, size, and additional features such as impact-resistant glass.
It is always best to get a free patio door estimate to know the actual price. Even though prices are provided on some websites, it will usually vary based on your specific choices and project.
Why Choose Impact Resistant Patio Doors in Florida
In Florida’s coastal areas, where extreme weather is a real threat, impact-resistant patio entry doors (and windows) are a must-have for homeowners. They provide unbeatable protection and peace of mind. And they can significantly reduce the amount of hurricane damage vs an unprotected home.
Impact entry doors are specially designed to withstand the intense wind, rain, and flying objects during severe hurricanes. This makes them critical for any home in a hurricane-prone region, such as South Florida and Southwest Florida.
Benefits of Hurricane Impact Doors
Impact hinged and French patio doors offer unparalleled hurricane protection for your home. They are designed, built, and rigorously tested to endure intense winds and flying debris. As a result, they reduce the risk of significant damage during a storm. In other words, hurricane impact doors help ensure the safety of both your home and family.
Impact doors have benefits beyond just hurricane protection. They also enhance your home’s security. Their robust construction and impact resistant glass deters potential intruders and prevents break-ins. They provide an extra layer of safety that standard glass doors do not offer. Additionally, impact-resistant doors can contribute to lower insurance premiums, as they are recognized for their ability to mitigate storm damage.
Security and Durability Features
Impact doors have security features built in. Impact doors are constructed with reinforced frames and laminated glass, designed to withstand severe impacts. These hurricane protection features also make them very effective for security protection. They are more difficult to break through, which means it is harder to gain entry to your home.
These materials also increase the durability of impact-resistant doors. This means they require less maintenance and fewer repairs over time, even with long-term daily use and harsh environmental conditions. This ensures they remain a reliable part of your home’s defense system for many years to come.
Conclusion
Patio entry doors offer functionality and protection, making them a valuable addition to any Florida home. They provide entry to a home, provide natural light and impact versions provide protection against extreme weather. Your patio door can increase the comfort and enjoyment of your home. They can also increase the aesthetics of the room you add them to.
If you are looking for impact patio doors in Southwest Florida we can help. We have been installing impact windows and doors in the Southwest Florida community for 38+ years. Contact us if you have any questions or are ready to start your sliding door project.
Or call (239) 369-8600 for immediate service.
