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Sliding Patio Doors in Canada: How to Choose the Best Model in 2024
Jan 20, 2016
Jul 1, 2024
10 min read
289
Patio doors and front entry doors often get replaced at the same time as windows around the house. But whereas an entry door is often made from a combination wood and steel, the manufacturing and functions of your patio doors are almost identical to that of your windows. In a crude way, you can even think about your patio doors as an oversize window.
There are several reasons why people opt for new patio doors, or even expanding an existing opening into a sliding door.
- Obviously one of the main reasons is the unobstructed view and additional daylight that these doors provide.
- Another convenient feature is that these doors are easy to operate and slide. Most of us go out onto the backyard with our hands full, whether it is a marinated steak or some gardening tools. When the patio door is properly installed it can be slid opened with a light push.
Of course some people may see this as a detriment to security, but as you will see further down, there are plenty of features in modern patio doors that prevent a break-in into your home.
What Are Sliding Patio Doors?
A sliding glass door is usually considered a single unit consisting of two-panel sections, one being fixed and one being operable. However, there are options for three and four-panel patio doors on the market today. Usually, patio doors can accommodate any standard or custom-sized openings up to 12 feet in width. Every patio door should come standard with a sliding screen door.
Sliding Glass Doors: Types & Styles
Contemporary patio doors usually have 2 main types: sliding glass doors and French (or garden) doors. While the French series are just classic garden patio doors that are hinged on the sides and operate like a standard front entry door, sliding glass doors are further divided into many more styles based on the number of panels they equip:
- 2-panel sliding patio doors. The most basic single patio door has 1 fixed unit and 1 operable. A classic choice for most homeowners because of their affordability, style, high energy efficiency and versatility.
- A 3-panel sliding patio door is designed with three panels instead of the standard two. This kind of glass door has 2 fixed panels on either side, with the middle panel gliding to open to either the left side or the right side, but not both at once.
- For a 4-panel patio door, there are four panels in the whole unit. This setup allowed for either the outer panels to slide towards the stationary centre panels in a way that would create two entrances on either side of the patio door or for the two centre panels to slide separately towards the fixed panels on either side.
- Bi-fold patio doors. Patio folding doors usually occupy the entire house wall and provide maximum natural light and the best views outside. The best folding patio doors are quite expensive and usually require a significant change to your home’s structure making them much less popular among homeowners even though golding exterior doors are a great way to increase natural light and home’s value.
Patio doors can also be customised with 5 or 6 panels, but this setup is rarely ordered due to a lot of wall space being used, which leads to significant changes to home’s structure.
Sliding Patio Doors vs. Garden Doors – What’s Better?
A big debate when it comes to replacing the door at the back of your house, is whether you should get patio doors and or garden french doors.
- The argument for garden doors is that they are more efficient. Moreover, french doors security is better compared to sliding doors. While the materials they are made out of definitely give them an edge, that doesn’t mean patio doors don’t meet efficiency requirements for coldest areas in our country.
As we mentioned above, security is also something that patio doors have caught up on. A modern patio door is nearly impossible to open without breaking the glass.
- A big advantage sliding patio doors have over garden doors, is that they can be left fully or partially open. Because garden doors function like a regular door, there is no screen preventing the insects from entering when the door is open.
Patio doors come standard with a screen. French screen doors are stylish secondary outer doors with mesh screens that provide ventilation and keep insects out, enhancing indoor comfort. Sliding patio doors comes with the same option.
Much like a safety latch in a slider window, a kick lock in the patio door allows you to naturally ventilate the room, while keeping the door locked in a partially opened position.
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Exterior Sliding Doors in Canada: Are They Energy-Efficient?
As we mentioned above, patio doors can be considered an oversize window, because they are manufactured and function in similar ways to most vinyl windows. When it comes to energy efficiency, they also rely on the same features that modern windows do.
Just like new windows benefit from additional efficiency provided by Low-E coatings and gas fills, so do your patio doors.
It is always recommended to opt for Energy Star patio doors in Canada to ensure your new units will comply with the local standards for energy-efficiency and qualify for government rebates.
Standard Patio Door Sizes in Canada
Patio doors generally come in several standard sizes, based on the width of the opening.
To match your budget and complete the work efficiently, most sliding door companies in Canada recommend that the patio door you get is the same size as your existing ones. For example if you have an 8 foot patio doors installed, opt for the same size. However, at Ecoline Windows Canada we can supply and install sliding doors of any size to fit your home renovation project.
Take a look at the table below to find the most common standards for patio door replacement:
Check out: Turning A Window Into A Patio Door: What You Should Know
Patio Doors: Modern Security Features
Traditionally patio doors had one big flaw: they didn’t offer much in terms of security. Of course, with a glass door you not only run the risk of a quick break-in, but a potential can also see whether anyone is at home or even the room they’re going to target. Old patio doors were also easy to pop off the track.
As the window industry in North America began adapting and advancing the vinyl technology, a lot of smart features got invented and put in place into patio doors as well.
Today, any sliding door can come with one or several of these additional security features:
All of these features are designed to maximise the safety of your new door without sacrificing any of the functionality or sacrificing the views.
How Much Do Patio Doors Cost in Canada?
Standard size patio doors range in cost between 1500-3500$ based on the features and additional upgrades you might want to consider. This rough price also factors in the cost of patio doors installation.
As we mentioned, expanding the opening to accommodate a bigger size door, can add significantly to the cost of your replacement.
It is also possible to manufacture custom sized patio door, but again the price becomes much higher. Even if you are considering a cut-out or expanding a window into a patio door, in the interest of saving some money, consider getting a standard size patio door.
You can also try out Ecoline’s patio door replacement calculator online to check the approximate price ranges for the model you choose for your project, based on the specific features and options you want your new sliding glass doors have. Please note that give price ranges are not precise.
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FAQ
Are black sliding patio doors popular in Canada?
Absolutely. Black windows and patio doors are currently a massive trend in Canada. They are aesthetically pleasing, increase home value, and perfectly match any home exterior.
What is the difference between French doors and sliding patio doors?
Sliding patio doors differ from French ones primarily in the way they open. French doors are hinged units swinging outward, while sliding patio doors glide left or right along the rail to open
How to secure French doors?
To secure French doors, choose models with modern security features such as multi-point locks, triple-pane glass, and reinforced hardware. These features provide enhanced protection against forced entry and improve overall durability. Investing in high-quality, security-focused French doors ensures better safety for your home.
What are the best sliding patio doors in Canada?
The most popular option is standard 2-panel sliding glass doors. They look great, offer maximum ventilation, and do not compromise energy efficiency.
How to screen French doors?
To screen your new French doors, start by measuring the door dimensions and purchase a suitable screen kit. Install the mounting brackets on the door frame, attach the screen doors, and install the handles and latches. This setup allows for proper ventilation while keeping insects out, enhancing comfort and usability.
Check out these window replacement articles:
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