New Sliding Patio Doors
Benefits of New Sliding Patio Doors
Easy to Open and Close
Sound Reduction
Energy Efficiency
Increased Security for Peace of Mind
Aesthetic Upgrade - Beautify large openings
Maximize Natural Light
Mistakes to Avoid Before You Replace your Sliding Patio Doors
1 - Sill Riser Height
Imagine this: you've received multiple quotes, settled on a contractor, committed thousands of dollars, waited 12+ weeks for installation ... only to find out like this homeowner did that you now have a permanent trip hazard!
Sill risers function to help prevent water intrusion. However, there are ways to prevent water intrusion without needing a 3" high trip hazard.
In fact - we have water rated sliding patio doors that are flush with your existing floors, providing a seamless transition from interior to exterior.
2 - Proper Panel Size
More often then not, homeowners look to replace original, single pane, aluminum frame sliding patio doors with new, vinyl patio doors. Vinyl is a great material for the Florida environment, however it does have its drawbacks.
The rails and styles (the white part you see) are often much thicker, thereby reducing the amount of glass.
This homeowner in this picture unfortunately found out the hard way how much visible light he actually lost by going with a 4 panel door instead of a 3 panel door.
3 - Installation: Cut-In, Build Out, or neither?
Compared to original, aluminum frame single pane sliding patio doors, new replacement sliding patio doors often times are going to have a larger depth.
A typical 2 panel aluminum frame patio door is about 4" in depth, whereas a 2 panel vinyl frame patio door is around 5.5" - 6.0" in depth, depending on the manufacturer.
Therefore - the installation team must account for these extra 2". To do so, they will either "build out" which entails pouring some concrete on the existing exterior flooring, add a stucco band, and then painting.
Cut-in installation means cutting back your interior floors by 2", or whatever depth is necessary to support the new door track.
If either of these installation methods concern you (note - they shouldn't), you should look for a replacement patio door that can fit into the existing opening without requiring modifications like build-out or cut-in.
4 - Ease of Use
Whenever possible - we recommend actually visiting a showroom to actually operate the doors you're considering purchasing.
Cheap sliding patio doors use inferior materials that may look ok, but after a small bit of wear and tear from normal usage can be difficult to operate.
The manufacturer's warranty is a good place to review as it will tell you how long they expect the parts and pieces to last, what the limitations are, and if labor is covered or not.
5 - Are Replacement Sliding Patio Doors the Best Option?
Sometimes, it may be better to replace your sliding patio doors with French Doors, or other Entry Doors.
Did you know sliding patio doors are not engineered to be operate multiple times per day? If you find yourself using these doors 3 or more times per day, you may be better off with new French Doors, or Moving Walls.
You Need an Expert !
If you're thinking about replacing your existing sliding patio doors, get a free consultation with one of our product specialists to ensure you get the right product for your style, budget, and needs.
With 12+ brands to choose from, you'll be confident knowing there will be no surprises after installation is completed.
Call or text us today at 813-790-7247 to schedule a free consultation to see what we can do for your project.