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Sliders Anyone?

By Gates Dearen


There are so many ways we can improve our homes.  Whether it is landscaping, roofing, windows, doors, new carpet, or paint. As home owners we realize that our largest financial investment is our home.  As such, we give are heart and soul into are property. We start looking around thinking what else can I do? For some of us that true, but for most of us, we wish we had the money to do all that like. Actually if you’re buying a home or refinancing you may get an allowance for those kinds of home improvements. If you’re just starting to enjoy your new home or you have been a residence for some time, it really doesn’t matter. I say, take a tour of your home and assess or reassess. However, I came to realize that with all the things I can do, sliding glass doors can make a dramatic improvement.

Where and What

  Oh yes, decisions decisions. This is the fun part though. You may already have a sliding glass door in your home. However, by adding an additional patio door you can provide more 
English: upvc patio doors
English: upvc patio doors (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
accessibility, charm and elegance. It could be the dining area or even the master bedroom. Where you decide to place a new  a window, single door entry or a sliding glass door opening is up to you. Keep this in mind as well. It does not have to be a slider. You may decide to install French style doors. French style doors certainly provide a true elegance to a room and women love them. Converting a window into a grand entry in the master bedroom, which leads to a side patio, is very inviting to the homeowner or prospects when it comes to selling your home. French doors can be installed to swing in or swing out.
So, you will have to decide which way you want to swing. Whatever items of furniture you place on either side of the doors, usually guides your decision. Keep this in mind as well. The cost of installing sliding glass doors is very affordable. It is a great way to make a dramatic change without spending thousands of dollars; French doors are a little more costly but certainly worth it. 

PANE IN MY GLASS  

How May panes of glass are really necessary in a patio door you ask? Most professionals will recommend a 3or 4 pane with argon gas insulation. And they are right. When you have that kind of opening it is always best to have as many insulated panes as possible. A great thing about sliding glass doors is that you can custom order them. It’s also recommended that that the 
Panes of glass
Panes of glass (Photo credit: fabi42)
panes of glass be low E-glass. This eliminates the UV rays from fading your carpet and saves on energy. You can also custom order the blinds to be placed between the panes of glass. This provides maintenance free blinds that will also stay looking brand new.

As you can see, there are many ways to order a patio door. Your windows and door dealers can help you select what’s right for you. The following section lists several tips that can guide you in this process.

FIVE TIPS FOR SELECTING PATIO DOORS.

Tip 1: Since swinging and French doors need room to open, consider factors such as furniture and wall placement before determining which opening method works best for the space. If space is tight, consider using a stationary panel with a single swinging door or sliding doors that fit well in any sized space.

Tip 2: Choose a design that has a wide doorway to provide greater access and stronger connection to your outdoor living space. Look for folding patio door systems or integrate multiple French and swing doors into your design.

Tip 3: Since glass is a major component of patio doors, you'll want to select the right type with the most benefits and efficiency. Low-E glass helps lower energy bills all year and protects against UV fading. Decorative tempered glass offers privacy and added style, while still letting in natural light. Look for options like internal blinds and grills to control the light and views.

Tip 4: Choose a material that is durable and easy to maintain, especially if you plan on using your patio door as a main entrance to your home. Vinyl, fiberglass, aluminum and clad-wood patio doors weather well and never need painting.

Tip 5: Just like your home's exterior siding, the material of your patio door is equally important to your home's overall look. Be sure the quality and style of your patio door complements your home. For example if your home is cedar, you'll want to use a solid wood or high-end fiberglass patio door rather than a vinyl sliding door. French sliding doors offer the most design options, because you can select the door style, accessories and glass. If you want your patio door to have the same architectural style and feel of your front entry and garage doors, then you'll want a hinged or French door, rather than a sliding patio door, which is basically all glass.
    “http://www.thehousedesigners.com/articles/perfect-patio-door.asp”
 
 Summary]

Well I hope this article has given you some creative ideas. If you like what you read, please pass it on. If you have any ideas you would like to share, please include them in our comment section. If you have any questions, feel free to email me or call my office at HomeRite Windows and Doors Jacksonville. The most important thing to keep in mind when doing this kind of home improvement is to follow these 3 simple steps. One, make sure you know how many panes of glass you are getting. Two, know the quality of the product you are buying and three, know which room in your home is best suited for this kind of home improvement. Thank you for reading this article, It's been my pleasure sharing it with you.  

Gates Dearen is the co-owner of HomeRite Windows and Door in Jacksonville Florida. Owners Gates Dearen and Richard Walden have been serving the building products industry in Florida for over 25 years. They know the products, the industry, the market and what adds great value to a home. “Their approach is a little different. Theyaresimply looking to match the home owner with the right windows for their home and   budget. Home improvements are enough of a hassle – we’re here to make life easier with first-rate, energy efficient products, affordable prices, installers that know best practices and respect of your home. 
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5 comments:

  1. Who knew sliding glass doors could be so energy efficient? In the past, they were one of the biggest heat loss areas on a home.

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  2. It's good to know technology has improved sliding glass door efficiency.

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  3. You're right about women loving the look of french doors! I think they add a wonderful elegance to any room and they are so much more energy efficient than they used to be!

    We had french doors to the sun room in the home I grew up in. During the winter months when that room was closed off we had to seal off the area with plastic wrap and put draperies up to keep out the drafts. That wouldn't be necessary these days and since somehow french doors seem to make the light in a room look more elegant, it's much more practical to use them.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I want to thank you for this informative read, I really appreciate sharing this great post.
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