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Patio Doors: What You Need to Know

By Gates Dearen

Your patio door is more than just a door; it’s your entry to backyard living and entertaining, and connects your indoor space with your outdoor space. Does your patio door enhance or inhibit your enjoyment of your home? A good patio door lets you view your yard (or, alternately, offers privacy, if you prefer), keeps outdoor air out and indoor air in, makes your home more secure, is attractive from outside and inside, and allows ease of use and maintenance. If your door falls short in any of these areas, it may be time for a replacement. We’ll go through each of these topics in more detail below.

The View

When it comes to how much you can, or can’t see into or out of your patio door, you have several options. We’ll start with the one that offers the most privacy. Obscure glass lets light in while providing less visibility than clear glass, and might be a good choice if you are choosing a door for a bathroom or bedroom, areas where you may prefer less than a full view out or, especially, in. Clear glass is nice for other rooms in the house where you would generally prefer to have a good view of your yard. For either option, it’s important to assess your need for tempered safety glass, which is less likely to break, and if it does, it shatters into granular chunks which will minimize the risk of injury. You have choices not only with the type of glass, but also with the frame of your door. Several color options allow you to incorporate your patio door’s look into the design scheme of your home.

The Air Out There

A door with a beautiful view.

As with any door, it’s important that your patio door is well-engineered to be energy efficient. If it’s not, you’re throwing away money on cooling and heating costs. There are a few ways to check for “leakiness”. The easiest is the candle test. This test works best on a windy day. Turn off your air conditioner and any fans so they won’t interfere with your results. With your door tightly closed, hold a lit candle near the doorframe. If the flame moves or flickers, chances are you have a leak. How much the flame moves or flickers will tell you how serious the leak is. If you can feel the air coming through or around the door, or if you feel a change in temperature near the door, then you don’t need to do any kind of test; your door is leaking!

Security

Home safety may initially bring to mind thoughts of keeping human intruders out. On this front, new sliding patio doors offer several lock options, such as two-point locks (standard on most doors), four-point locks, and on some models, shoot bolts and exterior key locks. It’s fairly well known that older sliding doors are easy to “pop” or “jump”, but the new models’ improved locks and roller systems make them much more secure. It isn’t just human intruders that should concern homeowners when it comes to patio door security. Especially here in Florida, we’re susceptible to “weather intruders”, particularly rain. If you can hear wind whooshing through (or if your home failed the “candle test” above), your home is susceptible to wind and water damage. For more detailed discussions of this topic, check out our previous articles, “How Do You Check for a Leaky House?” and “Can Storm Windows and Doors Protect Your Home from Natural Disasters?” This is definitely a situation where you want to know you’re protected ahead of time; finding out during a storm that your patio door leaks is bad news!

Looking Good

In addition to the glass and frame options for patio doors, discussed above, there are a few other ways you can add style and distinction to your patio door(s). Various types of grilles (flat or contoured) and grids (closer set or wider set) within the glass allow you to customize your look. Because they are inside the glass, they are maintenance free. These options give you a lot of variety in choosing what works best with your home’s interior and exterior design.

Easy Living

Does your patio door fight back when you try to open it? Old sliders and rollers can’t compete with the newer systems of today’s sliding patio doors. Think about how nice it would be if you had an easy-to-use handle, and your door glided open with virtually no effort. Newer patio doors have large “D style” handles on both the inside and the outside, much better than the old-style straight-bar types. By the way, if you try to replace your straight-bar door handle, don’t be surprised to find that it’s obsolete! This can be a big problem if your old handle breaks, as it compromises the security of your door. Without the right handle, the door will not close or lock properly.

In addition to ease of use, energy efficiency has improved tremendously over the years. Chances are good that if your current patio door hasn’t been replaced for a while, it’s not as energy efficient as a new door. When choosing a new patio door, it’s important to ask about energy-saving options. Low-e glass is one such option. Low-E glass is made with a thin, invisible metallic coating that blocks heat flow, a proven energy saver. Low-E glass reduces air conditioning costs by reducing solar transmissions in the summer. In the winter, it reduces heat loss to the outside and allows solar energy to pass inside. Another option is tinted glass, which also helps to cut down on the amount of heat that comes through with the sunlight.

Courtesy of homeritejacksonville.com/

If you enjoy outdoor living or entertaining, or even if you just like to look outside and appreciate the view, a good patio door can make all the difference in your ability to do just that. In fact, if you replace your patio door, you may find yourself admiring the view of the door itself, along with the beauty of nature.

In this article, we have discussed some important qualities of patio doors and have explained each one.

Among the features we highlighted were privacy vs. full view glass, keeping the weather out, security, attractive appearance, and ease of use and maintenance.

If you would like to receive an official factory authorized 30% discount coupon for your next window replacement purchase, print out this article with the coupon on it and bring it with you when visiting HomeRite.

Gates Dearen is the co-owner of HomeRite Windows and Doors in Jacksonville, Florida. Owners 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 somewhat different than others. They strive to match the homeowner with the right windows and doors for their home and budget. They know that home improvements projects can be a hassle. They strive to make the process pleasant with first-rate, energy efficient products; affordable prices; and expert, award-wining installers that employ the best practices and who respect your home as if it were their own.

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The Top 5 Questions to Ask When Replacing Your Windows and Doors

By Gates Dearen

Photo Credit: nelsonwindow.com

You’ve noticed that your doors and windows are letting in the elements, or are bringing down the overall appearance of your house. You’ve decided to replace them, so all you need to do is measure each window and door and then head out to the nearest hardware superstore, right?

Wrong! It’s important to assess your home’s individual needs and to understand the best solutions for energy efficiency, as well as home security. We have compiled a list of the most important questions to ask as you choose your replacement windows and doors.

What is my budget?

While it may be tempting if you are on a tight budget to “go cheap” when replacing your windows and doors, a better plan may be to choose the best windows and doors you can afford now for part of your house, and wait until you can do the same for the rest of the house later. High-quality windows and doors are an important investment in your home’s appearance, security, and energy efficiency. As with most purchases, spending a little more on the front end can reap greater benefits down the road. A windows and doors professional can help you to determine which should be replaced first and which can wait.

What features are important to me?

The features you choose are largely a matter of personal taste (unless you have children, in which case safety is also important). Work with a professional to decide which features will increase your comfort and your windows’ and doors’ function and durability. Single-hung windows open from the bottom only. Double-hung windows can open from the top or the bottom. Again, it’s all about preference. If you want to transform a simple opening into a stunning room accent, you can choose from a variety of custom shapes for your windows.

When it comes to entry doors, there are also many options. Maybe you want a standard solid door with small windows at the top. Or maybe you prefer something a bit more reflective of your personal style, such as a door with a stained glass insert or a decorative lockset. Look at your options and find the door that says “home” to you. Many people prefer to spend a great portion of their budget on an entry door over other doors and windows in their homes because it’s the first thing they (and their guests) see upon arriving at their home. Again, it just depends on what you like.

Patio doors offer fewer options aesthetically speaking, but do differ in terms of safety features such as shatter-proof glass and functionality. Do your homework. Here in Florida it’s especially important that your patio door is made of impact-resistant glass. Low-e coatings and energy-star ratings are also important, but we’ll get to those later. Beyond these features, the options include clear glass or obscure glass, which provides additional privacy.

Do the windows and door glass have a Low-e coating?

Low-e, or Low-emissivity, refers to glass panels’ ability to reflect light. Low-emissivity windows and doors cause heat to be reflected off, rather than allowing it to collect and “seep through” (be emitted) into the home. The Low-e coating keeps the heat from being absorbed and emitted, instead reflecting it away from the glass. This technology is related to the insulation used in spacecraft to keep heat from accumulating on both reflective surfaces, inside and outside, but actually the application of the technology is more complicated in windows and doors because glass has such a high level of emissivity, thus posing the challenge of maintaining Low-e while letting in light. Manufacturers of high-quality windows and doors apply coatings to reflect radiant energy, which helps to keep heat on the same side of the glass it’s coming from – outside in summer, inside in winter – while allowing light to pass through. This improves thermal efficiency (insulating properties) because radiant heat stays where it belongs, outside or inside depending on the season and the weather.

What energy-efficiency ratings do these windows and doors have?

There are several standards set by the industry that let you know your windows and doors will work hard to save energy (and money in cooling/heating costs). The one you’re probably most familiar with is the Energy Star rating. In order to carry the familiar symbol (shown below), windows and doors must be, at a minimum, 15% more energy efficient than those without the designation. Most doors and windows have a sticker that shows their actual energy efficiency. If not, ask. Any reputable window and door professional will readily share this information with you.

Another performance standard is the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) Certification. This is a non-profit group that, as stated in their website, “empowers consumers who are in the market for energy efficient windows, doors, and skylights. When you see the NFRC label on these products, this is your assurance that it’s going to perform the way it’s advertised to perform.” (www.nfrc.org)

How can new windows and doors make my home more secure?

Unless you have recently updated your windows and doors you’ll find that security options have improved. When thinking about security, think beyond the doors and windows themselves. Look for fire-rated doorframes and window frames, high-performance hinges, secure and weather-resistant thresholds and astragals, and of course high-quality locksets. Look for ease of use in window locks. Most new high-quality windows have simple slide or flip locks. The same is true for patio doors; while the older types may not have been easy to secure, the new ones are.

As for the doors and windows themselves, look for impact ratings, as well as long-term warranties. It’s a good idea here in Florida to choose doors and windows that will stand up against severe weather. Security isn’t just about keeping out human intruders. There are plenty of items in your yard that you wouldn’t want in your house if the wind picked them up and tossed them!

In this article, I discussed the top five questions to ask when replacing your windows and doors, and why those are important questions to ask. I explained what to look for as you plan out your new window and door purchase.

Gates Dearen is the co-owner of HomeRite Windows and Doors in Jacksonville, Florida. Owners Gates Dearen and Richard Walden have been serving the building products industry in Florida for over 25 years. We know the products, the industry, the market and what adds great value to a home. Our approach is a little different. We strive to match the homeowner with the right windows for their home and budget. Home improvements can be a hassle. We’re here to make life easier with first-rate, energy efficient products; affordable prices; strong warranties and expert, award-winning installers that provide excellent service while respecting your home as if it were their own.

Add Beauty and Security to Your Home with a New Entry Door

By Gates Dearen

Courtesy of
homeritejacksonville.com/

Could your home use a facelift?

One of the easiest ways to update your home, and add curb appeal, is to change your front door. According to the website www.energy.gov: “New exterior doors often fit and insulate better than older types. If you have older doors in your home, replacing them might be a good investment, resulting in lower heating and cooling costs. If you're building a new home, you should consider buying the most energy-efficient doors possible.”

Maybe you’ve always wanted to have a beautiful glass-paneled door but were afraid that wasn’t an option in Florida, with our hot and sometimes severe weather. You may be surprised to find that whether you prefer a solid or glass-paneled door, there are many choices available that will make your home more secure as well as more visually appealing.

From his vantage point high above the earth in...

Photo Credit: nasa.gov

By Gates Dearen

Our recent brush with hurricanes Arthur and Bertha may have made you wonder whether your house was ready for hurricane season. If your windows or doors rattled, or if you heard wind whooshing through – or worse, saw rain coming in – it may be time for some updates. Rain and wind are obvious troublemakers, but have you thought about the UFOs (unexpected flying objects) that might come barreling through your yard – and straight for your windows and doors – in the midst of the storm? Such objects cause millions of dollars in damage every year (and take many lives), either because they weren’t secured prior to the storm or because homeowners had old windows and doors that were not impact-resistant. Hurricane season lasts until November 30, and late summer/early fall storms are historically stronger and cause more damage than early summer storms. If you haven’t already safeguarded your home against hurricane damage, now is the perfect time.

Safe Windows

If you think that taping your windows will keep your windows from breaking, think again. According to the U.S. Government disaster preparedness site www.ready.gov, those in areas at risk for hurricane damage should cover windows, an unsightly option, or install windows made of impact-resistant glass. The latter is a better choice because these windows are more attractive and do not have to be taken down in the winter and put up again in the summer, as do outdoor window covers.

If you do choose to replace your windows and/or sliding doors, look for the AAMA (American Architectural Manufacturers Association) label and the National Fenestration Rating Council certification. These organizations have high standards for quality and their seals of approval carry a lot of weight. Next, do your research on both the company and the product. Has the company been around for a while? If so, that’s a good indicator that they’ll still be around if you need them in the future. Do they have customer testimonials? If they’ve done a good job for other customers, they’ll likely do a good job for you too. How is the impact-resistance of the windows created? Ask if there is a layer of poly material between the panes of glass. These types of windows and sliding doors not only keep out wind and rain, but also protect your home, and its occupants, from wind-blown debris. Impact-resistant windows and sliding doors have the additional benefit of being more energy efficient than their non-impact-resistant alternatives.

Safe Doors

When it comes to hurricane safety, you may have thought more about your windows and sliding doors than about your entry doors, but in some cases entry doors have nearly as much glass as sliding doors or windows. In such cases, it’s equally important to choose impact-resistant glass. You may be surprised to find how many options are available to you in impact-resistant, weather-resistant attractive door glass. Whether you prefer etched glass, a stained-glass look, or blinds-between-panes, you can find whatever suits your taste, made with glass that will protect your home and keep your family safe. Additionally, most glass panels for entry doors that have been crafted to resist impact also have a Low-e coating which allows sunlight in while keeping heat out, helping to conserve energy and prevent fading of carpets and furniture.

For all doors, glass or not, a good fit is crucial. No matter how good the materials, if your door does not fit properly, it will not keep out the weather. Make sure the weather stripping is in good condition and that it seals tightly when the door is shut. Check that the threshold meets the bottom of the door with no gaps. This is also a good time to see that your garage door closes tightly and doesn’t rattle or buckle in the wind; consider reinforcing your garage door to prevent flooding or structural damage.

UFOs - Unexpected Flying Objects

Storms can come up quickly in Florida, and we don’t always have notice. If you’ve lived here for any length of time, chances are good that at least once you’ve looked out your window and seen something flying across your yard. With hurricanes and tropical storms, though, we usually have at least a little warning. One of the best ways to keep your windows and doors – and your entire home – safe is to secure loose objects in your yard, or bring inside whatever you can. Items such as outdoor furniture, yard tools, and grills can become dangerous missiles when propelled by high winds. This is a situation where a small amount of effort up front can save a lot of trouble down the road.

Window and doors really can protect your home – and your family – from a natural disaster. With a little planning and “refortification” on your part, your doors and windows can work with you to keep the weather where it belongs: outside.

In this article we’ve explained how your windows and doors can help to protect your home in a hurricane. We’ve also given some tips for securing items outside your home to prevent them from damaging your home’s exterior, windows, and doors.

Gates Dearen is the co-owner of HomeRite Windows and Doors in Jacksonville, Florida. Owners 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 somewhat different than others. They strive to match the homeowner with the right windows and doors for their home and budget. They know that home improvements projects can be a hassle. They strive to make the process pleasant with first-rate, energy efficient products; affordable prices; and expert, award-wining installers that employ the best practices and who respect your home as if it were their own.

Related articles

How Do You Check for a Leaky House?

Cold Air Leak Under Door (Photo credit: CBC || Thermal)

By Gates Dearen

Leaky faucets or roofs are easy to spot; it’s hard not to miss the water accumulating around the leaks. But how do you know if your house is leaking, letting hot air in and cold air out? You may not have thought much about this problem, but if air is leaking into or out of your house, it is literally money out the window! Windows and doors are probably the biggest culprits, as old and ill-fitting windows can lead to drafts throughout your house. While it’s best to have a window-and-door professional come out and take a look, there are simple ways you can check for yourself. Here are some places to look for air leaks.

Seals

Are the seals around your windows and doors in good repair? Make sure they are tight and intact. Seals can dry out and crack, making them ineffective, especially in the Florida heat and sun. A quick inspection will let you know if it’s time to replace them. Similarly, if you have caulk around your windows, or window air

Caulk -Sealers-Fillers

conditioning units, make sure it forms a good bond with no cracks or gaps. Also check the frames. If light comes through your window or door frames, air is getting through, too.

Windows

Try to gently rattle your windows. Movement can indicate leakage. If your windows are old, or of poor quality, they are not keeping the inside air in and the outside air out. The only real remedy for this problem is replacing the windows with newer, more energy-efficient ones. It may seem like a big investment up front, but you will begin to see savings in your cooling and heating bills immediately, and you’ll be much more comfortable.

Doors

What are your doors made of? If you don’t know, find out. A good quality door is usually made of steel or fiberglass, although there are some other materials that will work well to act as a weather barrier, important for keeping wind and rain, as well as heat, outdoors. Try the “rattle test” as suggested above in the window section. If it moves, the door probably leaks. Make sure the threshold is secure and properly placed so as not to let any air get in or out at the bottom of the door. If you do have a gap, try placing a draft-stopper along the bottom of the door until you are able to fix it. Also check your doorknob and lockset to be sure it is fitted properly to the door.

Patio doors can present a special problem, mainly because they are usually larger than your other doors and windows. Is the glass on your patio door energy efficient? Does it have a low-e coating and an Energy Star rating? Does it close securely with no gaps? If not, it may be time to replace it. If you do choose to purchase a new door, look for one with pile weather-stripping on the panels, which increases efficiency and reduces air infiltration.

Unexpected places

The above-mentioned sources of air leaks are the most prevalent, but have you thought about how much air could be getting in or out around your switch plates and outlets? Chimneys? Outdoor faucets? These less-obvious sources can be big air-suckers! You may want to call in a professional to check your entire house, including roof and foundation/house juncture, for leaks, but in the meantime, you can do a relatively simple check.

BUILDING PRESSURIZATION TEST*

If you are having difficulty locating leaks, you may want to conduct a basic building pressurization test to increase infiltration through cracks and leaks, making them easier to detect:

1) Turn off all combustion appliances such as gas burning furnaces and water heaters on a cool, very windy day.

2) Shut all windows, exterior doors, and fireplace flues.

3) Turn on all exhaust fans that blow air outside, such as your clothes dryer, bathroom fans, or stove vents, or use a large window fan to suck the air out of the rooms.

4) Light an incense stick and pass it around the edges of common leak sites. Wherever the smoke wavers or is sucked out of or blown into the room, there's a draft. You can also use a damp hand to locate leaks; any drafts will feel cool to your hand.

If you don't want to turn off your furnace, you can just turn on all your exhaust fans to depressurize your home.

Other air-leak detection methods include the following:

· Shining a flashlight at night over all potential gaps while a partner observes the house from outside. Large cracks will show up as rays of light. Not a good way to detect small cracks.

· Shut a door or window on a dollar bill. If you can pull the dollar bill out without it dragging, you're losing energy. (*http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/detecting-air-leaks)

As I said at the beginning of this article, if your house is leaking, it’s costing you money. Well-fitting, well-constructed windows and doors and frames will make the biggest difference in stopping air leakage, but taking care of smaller leaks in less-obvious places can add up to additional energy savings and greater comfort.

In this article, I pointedout some ways your home may be letting air in and out. We looked at the role windows and doors have in preventing air leakage, along with discussing some other places you can look and methods you can use to check for leakage.

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Update Your Home While Preserving Its History

By Gates Dearen

Photo Credit: smpsjax.com

If you live in an older home, chances are your windows are not especially energy-efficient. Is it possible to update your windows without changing the historic appearance of your house? Yes!

When Matt and Karen Carlucci of historic San Marco in Jacksonville, Florida decided to install new windows, they were concerned that they wouldn’t be able to keep the traditional look of their older home. Historical preservation provides a visual, tangible link to a city’s past, one that is kept up by the voluntary efforts of homeowners within communities that have been designated as historic districts. By working closely with the experts, the Carlucci's I found many options that not only preserved the historic style they were looking for, but also offered ease of opening and closing, improved heat/cold retention, and lower maintenance efforts.

Video Testimonial from Matt and Karen Carlucci

Matt and Karen’s house had windows with wooden frames, common in older homes. Matt wasn’t sure he and his wife could replace the windows without making the house look more modern, and that was a real concern since, as he puts it, “We have a contributing historical structure in our neighborhood.” Now that he and Karen have replaced their windows, he couldn’t be happier. “We have had some comments [about the improved appearance of the house], but nobody can tell they’re different from the windows we had before, which is what I like because we wanted the windows to have that old historic look.” Whether you are replacing traditional rectangular windows or require custom designs, window specialists can help you find the best products for your specific needs.

Old windows tend to be heavy and “clunky”. Glass was heavier in the time period when many older homes were built, and wood frames are also bulky and can swell and shrink with fluctuations in temperature. If you’ve ever struggled to open a heavy or stuck window, you’ll be thrilled with the easy glide of new windows. As Karen says, “The [original] windows in our home were very heavy, because they were old and wood, and these [new] windows, you literally can raise them with two fingers and lower them.” Over the years, glass technology, like other technologies, has improved, providing greater insulating factors in lighter-weight panes. This combination gives homeowners the best of all worlds.

When it comes to improved energy efficiency, you’ll see the benefits almost immediately. If you purchase new windows with a high solar coefficient, you’ll reap the greatest benefits in keeping heat and cold out while letting sunlight in. Multi-pane glass adds a layer of argon gas between the panes, increasing energy savings and comfort. Imagine setting your thermostat and reaching your ideal temperature in a half hour or less, compared to the hours it might take with your old windows. You’ll also feel pretty comfortable when you see your reduced electric bills, both in summer and in winter. As Karen Carlucci says of her home’s new windows, “The insulation is phenomenal. There’s no cold air going out [in the summer] or coming in the wintertime, and it made all the difference in the world for insulation and our electric bill.”

Noise reduction is an added benefit of new multi-paned windows. This can be especially important if your home is on a busy road or in a thriving commercial area. Whatever outdoor sounds are going on in your neighborhood, it’s nice to be able to keep them outside when you don’t want to be disturbed. Or maybe you have the opposite intention, to keep your noises inside. If you like to listen to loud music inside your house – or if your child is learning to play the trumpet, for example – you may wish to spare your neighbors. Either way, new windows provide greater soundproofing.

Keeping your house looking its best is important in all areas, but people with homes in historic districts have a special responsibility to maintain the appearance of their homes. Although your windows may not seem like the biggest feature of your house, they will certainly stand out if they don’t look good! Old windows and frames require near-constant maintenance: washing, sanding, painting, etc. As Matt Carlucci says, “A lot of the cost of painting a house, especially an old one like ours, is the windows. We don’t have to do that now, or the casings.” Presenting a beautiful home exterior is so much easier when your windows require only an occasional rinse.

If you have a historic home and have been living with less-than-ideal windows because you didn’t think new windows would fit in with the style and structure of your house, wait no more! Today’s new, improved windows will enhance the look of your home while preserving its historic style. As a bonus, you’ll enjoy a better quality of life through ease of use, decreased window maintenance, lower energy costs and a quieter home.

In this article I have talked about how you can replace your old windows with new ones that allow you to keep the historic look of your home. I provided the additional benefits of new windows in older homes beyond the ability to preserve the historic style, including ease of use, increased energy efficiency, reduced maintenance, and improved soundproofing. If you have a comment about this article, please feel free to post it below. Also, if you found this article useful, please pass it on.

Gates Dearen is the co-owner of HomeRite Windows and Doors in Jacksonville, Florida. Owners 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 somewhat different than others. They strive to match the homeowner with the right windows and doors for their home and budget. They know that home improvements projects can be a hassle. They strive to make the process pleasant with first-rate, energy efficient products; affordable prices; and expert, award-wining installers that employ the best practices and who respect your home as if it were their own.

Related articles

Search This Blog

Patio Doors: What You Need to Know

The Top 5 Questions to Ask When Replacing Your Windows and Doors

Related articles

Add Beauty and Security to Your Home with a New Entry Door

Can Storm Windows and Doors Protect Your Home from Natural Disasters?

How Do You Check for a Leaky House?

Update Your Home While Preserving Its History