Having front doors that are attractive, easy to operate and secure can add value and curb appeal to your home. These doors are also a great way to let in natural light, improve air quality and provide a second doorway.
Sliding glass doors are one of the most popular choices for homes because they offer a wide range of benefits. These include:
Durability
Contractors often have to perform door replacement in homes due to damage caused by inclement weather, accidents, or general wear and tear. A new front door not only adds to the beauty and value of a home but also helps protect it from intruders and the elements. Sliding glass doors are an excellent option for homeowners that want to enhance the look of their home while adding more light and providing easy access to the outside. These doors are available in a variety of colors, finishes, and designs to match the style of any home. In addition, many models of sliding glass doors offer superior ease of gliding, advanced tempered glass and glazing options, and strong security features. These doors are ideal for homeowners looking to improve the energy efficiency of their homes as well.
Energy Efficiency
Many homeowners have sliding glass doors that overlook their garden, pool or patio. These doors provide a stunning influx of natural light and make it easy to enter and exit the home. However, they are also a major source of heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer.
There are a few things that you can do to optimize your energy efficiency with these doors. For one, you should hang energy efficient drapes or other window treatments over them. This will prevent unwanted heat from entering your home in the summer and stopping it from escaping in the winter.
In addition, you should look for a door that meets the ENERGY STAR label requirements for your climate zone. These doors have a low embodied energy footprint, and they have high insulation capabilities, especially those made of fiberglass or with polyurethane foam. You should also consider the framing material. For instance, steel has a higher embodied energy footprint than wood, but it can still have good insulation capabilities.
Visual Appeal
Sliding glass doors can be a great way to bring the outdoors in and help create a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces. They can also help improve air quality by letting in the breeze. They are available in a wide range of colors, materials, and styles and can be customized to fit your needs.
With their large glass areas and narrow frames, sliding glass doors are a beautiful addition to any home. The design also allows for natural light to flood into a room, making it feel bright and airy.
Sliding glass doors can be opened and closed as wide or as little as you want, which is an advantage over standard doors that have preset stops. This means that you can let in as much fresh air as you need without having to worry about a draft. This is especially beneficial in rooms that are prone to getting stuffy.
Security
Sliding glass doors flood living spaces with natural light and provide portals to leafy trees, contemplative snowy vistas, or cheerful children playing in the yard. But these doors also allow would-be thieves to see inside your home and may give them easy access if not properly secured.
The factory-installed locks on sliding glass doors are often flimsy and don’t do much to deter burglars. They are usually so easily jimmied open that you can literally use a credit card to do it. Because they’re located in the backyard, criminals can take their time with them and easily case out a home to determine what to steal without being seen by neighbors or passersby.
The good news is that there are a number of aftermarket options to make your sliding glass doors more secure. One option is security bars that slide into the track and prevent the door from opening. Another is glass break sensors that can be installed on a door or integrated into a home security system to sound an alarm if the doors are smashed.