Patio doors are a natural choice for most homeowners shopping for new windows in Regina. But while they are considered a sliding door, most patio doors are actually built very similarly to the vinyl windows you are getting. This is also why most window companies in Canada sell and install patio doors.

But what should you know about them before signing your window contract? How efficient are modern patio doors? How well do they protect your home? What are standard patio door sizes?

A sliding glass door is usually a single unit consisting of two sections, one being fixed and one being operable. There are also configurations for three and four-panel patio doors on the market today. Usually, they 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_patio_door
Sliding patio doors use all the same energy efficiency features as you new vinyl windows.

How efficient are patio doors in Regina?

Unlike entry doors that are made of steel, wood and glass, new pocket doors are made from the same materials as your windows: glass and vinyl. The insulated glass unit in both a window and a patio door is the part that accounts for most of the efficiency and prevents warm air from escaping your home. Because sliding doors have a greater glass surface area, they offer comparable efficiency levels. Modern windows and patio doors are actually designed to capture and trap warmth from the sun, in the winter time the energy loss is offset by additional heat gains your patio doors generate for the room you’re in.

Just like the windows you buy, sliding doors should also adhere to an Energy Star rating. In North America, Energy Star outlines performance criteria for fenestration products based on climate requirements in different zones. In order to be considered efficient in Regina, all windows must have a minimum ER rating of 29. Getting ENERGY STAR rated products ensures your windows and patio doors will keep your home warm and comfortable during the cold Saskatchewan climate.

For a full list of Energy Star rated windows and doors check out this Natural Resources Canada website.

Standard sizes for patio doors in Regina

Patio doors generally come in several standard sizes, based on the width of the opening. If you are replacing an old door with a new one your opening is probably ready to accommodate a standard 5 or 6-foot wide door. If you are looking to create or enlarge an opening from an existing window, the job often requires walls to be cut, which can add significantly to the cost of your replacement. In the interest of the client’s budget and completing the work efficiently, most window companies in Saskatchewan will recommend that the patio door you get is the same size as your existing ones.

Width (inches)Height (inches)
59 1/279 1/2
58 1/279 1/2
59 1/281 1/2
59 1/295 1/2
71 1/279 1/2
71 1/281 1/2
71 1/295 1/2
70 1/279 1/2
95 1/279 1/2
95 1/281 1/2
95 1/295 1/2

Patio Doors and Home Safety

Traditionally, patio doors had one big disadvantage: 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 crook can also see whether anyone is at home or even the room they’re going to target. Old rolling doors were also easy to pop off the track, rendering them useless.

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:

A patio door with security kick lock

patio_door_security_bar

It is possible to get a patio door with a key lock

Although a key lock is one of the more popular choices for sliding door security, it isn’t always offered as a standard feature. If you are getting a patio door with your window order, be sure to clarify exactly what features it comes with.

Patio Doors vs. Garden Doors

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 and secure compared to sliding doors. While the materials they are made out of definitely give them an edge, that doesn’t mean pocket doors don’t meet efficiency requirements for coldest zones in our country. As we mentioned above, security is also something that sliding doors have caught up on. A modern patio door is nearly impossible to open without breaking the glass.

A big advantage these 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. Much like a safety latch in a slider window, a kick lock in the sliding doors allows you to naturally ventilate the room while keeping the door locked in a partially opened position.

Patio Door prices in Regina

Standard size patio doors range in cost between 1500-2000$ based on the features and additional upgrades you might want to consider.

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 than with the standard option. Even if you are considering a cut-out or expanding a window, in the interest of saving some money, consider getting a standard size patio door. A lot of major window companies in Saskatchewan offer options for sliding doors.

Check out these window replacement articles:
Learn about our selection of patio doors
Find out how to price your replacement project
Check out some of our past projects

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