Sliding doors are becoming awfully popular these days and rightly so. Not only are they available in a variety of beautiful and distinctive designs, but their functionality is also pretty great. They lead out to an outdoor area like a patio or deck. The patio screen door rollers make it super-easy to open the sliding door smoothly. The use of sliding tracks, rather than traditional hinges, makes it very suitable for limited spaces. Opting for a sliding glass door will also aid in brightening up the room by allowing more natural light to flow in. Placing sliding doors inappropriate areas will amplify the functionality and elegance of your home.
Are you planning to install a sliding door in your house any time soon? Well, if you are, then you’re in for a treat! But here are some important factors you should take into consideration before installing a sliding door.
Table of Contents
1. Structural Stability
When you’re planning of installing a sliding door, you must make sure that it won't harm the structure. If the sliding door is a replacement, a decent contractor will most likely survey the frame of the door. In case the sliding door is a new installation, the contractor is likely to assess the surrounding areas to ensure that lodging a new sliding door won’t cause any structural obstruction.
2. Know the Look You Want
Are you aware of the multitude of options sliding doors have? Installing a sliding door is not something you should jump into with conducting ample research. There is a huge variety of sliding door frames available in the market, ranging from wooden to aluminium to vinyl or even fibreglass. You should go over the different sliding door styles to figure out what will work best for your home and enhance the overall look and feel. These classic sliding door frames are available in different colours – from rustic to dark or light. You can decide on the material after you settle on the kind of feel you want your home to have. Make sure you pick something that goes with the overall theme!
3. Energy Efficiency
If you’re investing in a sliding door, you might as well get a good one! Sliding doors are formed by various glass panes; hence, you are mandated to consider the energy efficiency of the materials used. Double-paned or triple-paned glass, especially those with Low-E coating that enhance energy efficiency and keep air-conditioned air inside, is used for sliding doors. It is also crucial to select a good quality weatherstrip for the bottom and sides of the glass door to avoid air from slipping in through the cracks.
4. Available Space
Sliding doors are usually installed to maximize patio or deck space. However, even though this is true, these sliding doors require a large wall to be installed. Limited wall space doesn’t allow sliding doors to be installed. Even if they may require wall space, don’t forget about the benefits they offer, such as allowing light and airflow to enter your house.
5. Material Preferences
While a majority of sliding doors are made of glass, there are a variety of frames to choose from. The different frame materials available are wooden, aluminium, fibreglass or vinyl. Wooden and aluminium door frames are available in several colours and designs. However, the problem with wooden frames is that they can crack and warp easily. Many contractors suggest avoiding installing wooden door frames in wet areas as moisture can cause significant damage to the wood.
Another great material option you have is aluminium. It is a strong and very long-lasting material. The best part about an aluminium door frame is that it can resist the harshest of weather conditions. Vinyl sliding door frames are a good idea too as they’re also strong and extremely durable. The problem is that they don’t have many colour options and can appear to be of low quality.
6. Privacy Concerns
Besides providing a beautiful view, sliding doors also provide privacy and safety. You can get sliding panel blinds or use rolling shades. Using clear window film is also a good idea for allowing light in, preventing annoying neighbours or inquisitive trespassers from prying on you. Sliding doors also tend to be vulnerable to break-ins since they are usually installed at the back of a home. The best option for you is shatter-resistant sliding doors in order to ensure the safety of your home. You can also consider installing a door alarm – which is a practical solution.
7. Permits
If you’ve hired a contractor to install a new sliding door, they are most likely going to handle the permits. However, it is recommended that you check the permits yourself beforehand to avoid any negative ramifications. Find out the details about the permits, especially figuring out how much time it will take you to receive one. The amount of time it takes to receive a permit might be pretty shocking for you. If you know it will take time to receive a permit, then we’d recommend planning accordingly.
The Bottom Line
The bottom line is, once you install a sliding door, you need to maintain and take care of it to ensure that it lasts longer. This is especially necessary in cases where the sliding door leads to a deck or patio as it’s exposed to all sorts of weather conditions. Make sure you keep the frame clean of dust and dirt and ensure that the machine is functioning, such as the sliding door wheels. You should also consider lubricating the door once or twice a year. Overall, you should definitely install a glass door considering all the benefits it has!
About Author:-
Lou is an experienced chief designer who has worked for a number of large companies where he has acquired a sound knowledge of modelling, industrial materials, processes and manufacturing methods. Currently, he works as a marketing consultant with Anthony Innovations – a leading manufacturer, designer & supplier of heavy-duty sliding door rollers. Along with that, they also manufacture & supply different types of rollers, like sliding glass door rollers, sliding door wheels, window rollers etc.
In his spare time, he likes to build smaller projects with his 3D printer.
