Guide to Finding the Best Patio Doors for Your Triad Home

Everything to know about picking the perfect patio doors

If you’re like many Triad-area homeowners, you have a patio where you love to spend time chatting with friends and family members, relaxing through the afternoon, and whipping up some delicious barbecue on the weekend. But you can only enjoy your patio properly with the right patio door.

There are many different types of patio doors to pick from, but only one perfect door for your house. Not sure which to choose? Let us take you on a tour of the best patio door types one by one.

Modern sliding glass patio doors – simple and suitable for any home

If you’re like many Triad-area homeowners, you have a patio where you love to spend time chatting with friends and family members, relaxing through the afternoon, and whipping up some delicious barbecue on the weekend. But you can only enjoy your patio properly with the right patio door.

There are many different types of patio doors to pick from, but only one perfect door for your house. Not sure which to choose? Let us take you on a tour of the best patio door types one by one.

Modern sliding glass patio doors – simple and suitable for any home

Let’s start simple with classic sliding glass patio doors. Sliding glass doors don’t require a lot of space to install, so they’re excellent for patio doorways that have limited room for expansion or adjustment. They’re also very contemporary, so they could be smart picks for your modern home, especially if it already has a lot of clean lines and simple shapes.

In addition, you can find modern sliding glass doors in many different colors and material types, so there’s sure to be a great door for your home, no matter its age or size.

Take the 7700 Series Sliding Patio Door from Wincore Windows. It features fusion-welded sash panels to keep water and air out, plus comes in several panel configurations and colors. Each combination offers exceptional customization and aesthetic flexibility.

Want to lean into customization and space expansion even more? Pocket glass doors from MI Windows could be perfect. These unique patio doors slide into full-on openings in the wall via merging glass panels. When the time comes to close up, they slide back out into distinct panels once again.

If you’re in the market for an affordable, adjustable patio door type that goes well with any house, sliding doors are a solid option.

French or hinged patio doors – classic and elegant

Maybe you want something a little more elegant and sophisticated, though. In that case, French patio doors – also called hinged patio doors – are worth thinking about.

French patio doors have one or more panels and operate on hinges. Thanks to those hinges, you can install your French doors to swing either in or out before closing in the middle.

Since both sides of a set of French patio doors can open up, this patio door style offers a lot more room to maneuver compared to other patio door types: a big benefit when carrying a tray of food out to the backyard for your guests, for example.

or from your patio will be just as enjoyable as spending time on it. Wood French patio doors with smaller windows might also be exceptional additions to your house if you prefer privacy rather than maximum visibility.

Consider patio door frame materials

Choosing the style of patio door best for your North Carolina home is just the start. You also need to pick a patio door with the right frame materials, which can affect the cost, cohesion with your home, and long-term durability. There are a few major options to consider:

Wood frames are variable and customizable, and they're great for combining with elegant or decorative glass windows. However, they can also be quite expensive, and they're susceptible to rotting or warping over time.

Vinyl frames are energy efficient and quite affordable. It’s also one of the longest-lasting patio door frame materials you can pick.

Aluminum is a popular choice for exterior doors due to its affordability, light weight, and durability against rust and mildew. However, it has limitations such as low strength, which makes it prone to dents and requires thicker door frames for support. It is also susceptible to water stains and corrosion, which can cause the door to appear aged and affect its performance.

How to choose the right glass patio doors

With so many different types of glass patio doors to pick from, you might not know which is optimal for your home. We recommend considering some important factors before settling on a door type, such as:

Available swing space. For example, hinged patio doors (French doors) need room on the inside or outside to swing open.

How much visibility you want. Larger, expansive sliding glass patio doors are best if you want to let in as much light as possible.

Style factor. If your home is a very modern, minimalist building, French patio doors might not fit. But they will fit if your home takes style elements from North Carolina colonial architecture or old-fashioned architectural sensibilities.

Cost and time. The larger and more complex your patio door is, the more it’ll take to install it properly.

No matter which patio door you pick, odds are you’ll want experts to tackle installation. Window World Triad not only has some of the best, most energy-efficient patio doors to pick from, but we’ll also handle patio door installation from start to finish. If you’re still having trouble choosing the right patio door, we’ll provide guidance and advice you can trust. Contact us today to get started!