Pick the Perfect Patio Door

The perfect patio door can be an asset to your home. However, choosing a patio door that complements your home’s architectural design and helps to define your outdoor living space isn’t always the easiest decision. Today, there are a selection of sliding, swinging, French, and bi-fold patio doors available. When choosing a new patio door, you should first consider your home’s design, your lifestyle, and convenience.

Contemporary sliding patio doors have narrow stiles (vertical sash members) and narrow rails (horizontal sash members). With large glass areas, the doors present a clean, sleek look and allow for natural light to enter the house.

French sliding patio doors have a more classic design with taller top and bottom rails and wider stiles. This is not to be confused with a swinging French door, which features one or both panels opening from the center.

Bi-fold patio doors are perfect when there is more space surrounding the doors. The doors open more widely and fold smoothly to one side.

There are also options in choosing screens. Most manufacturers have bottom-hung screens in which the bottom track carries all the weight from the wheels. This option requires cleaning and maintenance because the wheel may pop off if dirt or stones get stuck in the track. Top hung screens resemble bi-fold doors in a closet. Since the weight is at the top, you don’t have to worry about it popping the track.

Screens also can come in Standard or Hi-Transparency – a screen with a finer mesh that is more tightly weaved, which gives you a clearer, brighter view.

Other options for your sliding patio door include multiple grid styles and patterns, including between the glass grids or simulated divided lite. Hardware colors come in an array of finishes.

Another thing to keep in mind when replacing your door as a Wisconsin homeowner is the difference in door size for Wisconsin patio doors. Wisconsin has a unique size of patio door that was commonly installed beginning in the 1970s called a Wisconsin-style door.

A Wisconsin sliding patio door comes in either a 6 ft., 3-in. width or a 6 ft., 6-in.” width, compared to a standard size sliding patio door, which are 5-, 6-, 8-’, 9-, and 12 ft. widths. Replacement of a Wisconsin-sized sliding patio door can be accomplished two ways: a custom-size door can be ordered in all materials, or a standard-size patio door can be installed with wider trim on both the inside and outside of the home.

Callen can help you select the style of patio door that will work best for your home. Call Callen at 414-765-2585 to schedule a no-obligation consultation.