When Should You Get a New Patio Door?

Almost every home in the country has at least one patio door installed by a trusted door and window replacement contractor. Having one in your home will serve both as an aesthetic role in making your home look better and feel more comfortable. It will also function as a nice transition between a patio or deck to the home’s interiors, providing ample amounts of natural light and great views of the outdoors.

Many patio doors are made to withstand the harshness of the outdoor elements while only requiring minimal maintenance once in a while. It’s somewhat similar to cleaning and maintaining your regular windows, yet they’ll need more attention because of their bigger size and glass area. Eventually, when you start to notice signs of wear and tear, it often means your patio doors aren’t as efficient as before. You’ll be left wondering whether you should keep paying for repairs and maintenance or have it fully replaced instead.

If there’s one thing you need to remember, it’s that you shouldn’t delay your patio door replacement just because it doesn’t look visibly damaged. There are other signs you need to look out for, and our window replacement team explains some of the most common ones: 

A Slight Draft

If you’re already having this on your patio door, then you can assume that your indoor conditioned air is already leaking out. When your patio door is compromised, your air conditioning will work harder than it needs to just to keep indoor temperatures comfortable. This means your home’s energy efficiency and comfort have been compromised, and if you choose to delay its replacement, you’ll end up with a higher utility bill. 

Checking your patio door for drafts is relatively simple. Just stand near the door and see if you can feel a draft or air leak somewhere. Chances are, the noticeable difference in the temperature may have come from a leak somewhere on your patio door.

If you also notice droplets of rain, sleet, or snow somehow finding their way into your home through the cracks in your door, then you may need to consider getting a new one installed. It’s because this type of problem won’t get fixed with just a simple repair, so consult with your trusted door and window installation contractor to know what your best options are.

Fogginess Between the Panes

Another indication that you’ll need a full patio door replacement is when you notice some of the glass panes looking a bit foggy. You may also see condensation in-between the panes, which also means the seal has failed or broken. If your patio door has a broken seal, it loses its thermal properties and is unable to act as a thermal barrier to regulate the indoor temperatures of your home. This also affects your home’s energy efficiency, so you should definitely get a new door if you don’t want your monthly bills to increase!

Fogginess in your patio doors doesn’t help in your home’s visual appeal as well; instead, it will look as if your home isn’t well-maintained. If you’re planning to sell your home soon, be sure to have it replaced by a professional door and window installation contractor first so it won’t affect your resale value.

Difficulty When Opening/Closing

Even with proper care and maintenance, your patio doors will still be subjected to wear and tear over time. It’s subjected to daily usage as well as exposure to adverse weather such as rain, snow, and even sunlight, so the frames of your doors will slowly get damaged and will eventually turn into a warped door that’s difficult to operate. 

While some minor damage can be repaired, if your door is already too warped due to constant exposure to sunlight or moisture, you’re better off having it replaced completely. Just make sure you don’t leave it as is, because not only will it cause a hindrance to your way of life, but it can also become dangerous in the event of an emergency, especially when you need to vacate your home immediately. 

Why You Should Get Your Patio Doors Replaced

Don’t let your old, damaged, or compromised patio door hinder the comfort and energy efficiency your home provides. Having a new patio door is more cost-effective than tolerating your old one, not to mention the big benefits you’ll get as soon as you have one installed! So, if you want to install direct windows or doors in your home, be sure to call us to know more about what we have to offer.

Some of the best benefits of having a new patio door include:

1. More Natural Light – You won’t need to use artificial light during the day when you have a well-built patio door installed in your home. By drawing in more natural light, you’ll create a more vibrant feeling in your living space that will make a big difference in your daily life. You’ll also decrease your dependence on artificial light, which is also a great benefit to your health and well-being.

2. More Customization Options – With our services, we can design and build your patio door according to your specific needs and preferences. We’ll make sure that your new door won’t stick out from your home’s architecture while adding more visual appeal (and resale value!) to your property.

3. Better Versatility – If you think that you don’t have much room for a traditional swinging patio door, then you can go for a sliding glass door instead! These are already equipped with screens that are similar to the ones you’d find in most windows around your home. You also get better ventilation while keeping out stale air.

4. Reduced Energy Costs – Choosing to install energy-efficient patio doors will result in a noticeable decrease in energy consumption in your home. This is not only due to a decrease in using artificial lights compared to before, but also your new patio door is now more capable of retaining your conditioned air during the spring and summer season. This means less work for your HVAC and therefore less energy consumption in your monthly utility bill!

Make sure to call STL Windows Direct if you’re considering a patio door or a direct windows installation. Reach us at (314) 690-5800 or you can fill out our convenient online contact form.