Adding or replacing patio doors can increase your home’s natural light and indoor-outdoor flow. It’s important to choose the right type of door for your lifestyle, skills, and needs.
Impact glass is an option that protects your home from extreme weather, including flying debris during hurricanes. It differs from conventional glass in its design and manufacturing process.
Color and Finish
Patio doors are one of the most visible features on your home and can help set the tone for your outdoor living space. Glass options, color choices and profile aesthetics all contribute to a finished look that blends well with your home’s style and ambiance.
Patio door frames are available in a wide variety of colors to complement any decor. Corrosion-resistant rollers and sill track provide smooth operation for years to come, while a multi-point locking system ensures your patio door’s security.
Choose impact-resistant laminated glass to safeguard your home against high winds and flying debris that can result from a hurricane or tropical storm hitting Miami. Laminated insulated glass also reduces unwanted noise, blocks out 99% of harmful UV rays that cause interior fading and improves energy efficiency in homes. Simonton’s SafePoint Max impact-rated laminated glass meets the requirements of Florida’s High Velocity Hurricane Zone and Miami-Dade and Broward County building codes. ENERGY STAR glass packages are also available to enhance your energy performance.
Glass
The glass used in patio doors can make a significant difference in style and performance. Higher-end brands may use alternative materials like fiberglass or aluminum in their frames that deliver greater energy efficiency and low maintenance costs. Enhanced laminated glass is another feature that offers increased sound control.
Patio doors that are hurricane impact resistant provide extra protection from debris and high winds. They typically include an interlayer of clear polyvinyl butyral between two glass panes for reinforcement. These doors are a great option for coastal homes in Florida that are vulnerable to hurricanes, as they help to prevent the glass from shattering during a storm.
These doors are usually more expensive than non-impact models, but they offer better protection for your home. They also tend to have longer warranties than other options. It is important that they are installed by a professional to ensure proper alignment and weather sealing, which minimizes air leaks and water infiltration.
Locks
When installing a patio door, it’s important to choose a lock that is secure enough for your needs. For example, a rim cylinder lock is extremely secure and easy for anyone with arthritis or mobility issues to operate. It can also be used to protect items in a shed or other outdoor structures.
If you have young children or pets, a keyless hook bolt lock may be a good option for your home. This type of lock helps keep hazardous cleaning products out of reach and small hands away from dangerous objects.
If you live in an area with severe weather, consider a pivot door made from impact aluminum or steel. These doors are tested and approved under Miami-Dade’s strict code requirements to withstand high-velocity hurricane winds and flying debris. These doors are also a strong deterrent against break-ins. They’re also available in an array of styles and finishes, so you can match your existing home décor.
Security
Burglars often break into a house through a patio door, since they can be more concealed than the front one. They allow the burglar to see what’s inside and plan a robbery without passersby or neighbors noticing them. Luckily, there are several security measures you can take to make your patio doors more secure. These include a blocking bar, or Charlie bar, a patio door pin and shatterproof film.
The last one may seem like a complex thing to do, but it’s actually very easy. Simply drill a hole into the frame of your sliding door that slides, and insert a security pin. This will make it much more difficult to open the door, even if you have your key.
Another great way to increase the security of your sliding patio door is to install impact-resistant doors. These are designed and tested to withstand high winds, flying debris, and other natural disasters. They’ll protect your home from severe damage, so you can relax knowing your family is safe and sound.