Unique Design Options For Patio Doors

You’ve Got Plenty of Choice When Updating Your Patio Doors in Ottawa

Updating your patio doors can transform any indoor or outdoor living space, whether at home or at the cottage.

Patio doors allow more light in while providing an excellent view of the outdoors. They also improve air circulation in the home and create a welcoming entrance to an outdoor patio, deck, or garden.

Patio doors also add architectural style to a home.

Here’s a look at the different design options for new patio doors in Ottawa to help you find the right style to suit your home.

Patio Door Types: Sliding vs. French

There are two types of patio doors—sliding and hinged, also known as French doors.

Sliding Doors

Sliding doors take up less space than French doors, so they can maximize the area available in a room. Sliding doors move open by sliding on a track. The active door will slide parallel to a fixed pane of glass.

These patio doors provide a contemporary look to indoor and outdoor living spaces, as well as plenty of natural light.

Sliding doors are ideal for ventilation in a room since you can adjust the amount of air simply by sliding the door open or closed.

Screen systems are available with these doors, so you can keep fresh air circulating in your home without letting in bugs and other critters.

French Doors

French (hinged) doors consist of one or more glass panels and are known for their elegant lines. These doors come in decorative design options, such as simple or complex grille patterns and arched tops.

French doors are commonly used as both entry patio doors and interior doors. They are popular indoors since they provide some privacy between rooms while still allowing light and a visual connection between the two areas.

Patio French doors usually open to a backyard deck or patio. And these can be used with a screen door system as well.

Interior French doors are commonly used between a kitchen and a dining room or living room.

French doors are usually installed as a pair of doors that swing out from the centre of the door opening.

Theses can have a flat panel of glass with no grills, or grills with divided lites. Divided glass panes are the most popular French door design option.

Installation Tips

For easy and efficient installation and door repairs in Ottawa, consider hiring the patio door installation experts. And consider these installation guidelines to help you choose the right doors for your home.

Sliding Doors

Before installing sliding patio doors, make sure you have enough space for the opening, both panes of glass, and the door to slide open completely.

Made-to-measure options, such as Decko patio doors, are available for ease of installation.

And make sure to choose doors that have a secure locking system, even on the screen.

French Doors

French doors come in both in-swing and out-swing fittings. When choosing a type, account for the space around the doors so nothing will obstruct the doors when you open them.

To find out how much space you’ll need, measure the radius of the swing. Take the width of the door and determine the radius around the pivot point on both sides of the door jamb.

Be sure to measure the jamb depth of the opening so you can choose a door that will fit in that depth.

French doors come in standard sizes to fit standard door openings as well as custom options. Standard French doors tend to fit new homes.

But you might need to install a new jamb inside the opening to install French doors in older homes with non-standard sized openings.

Standard French doors come in pre-hung kits for easy installation.

If you are planning to remove old sliding-glass patio doors and install French doors that lead to the outdoors, you will need to buy entry French doors. These can come with one door that is inactive (not functional).

Make sure your entry French doors have a three-point locking system for security. This system locks the doors to the head jamb and the sill as well as locking the doors to each other.

When installing doors, they must be hung plumb inside the door frame to close tightly and stay open when needed.

Types of Door Materials

Patio doors come in a variety of materials, including aluminum, steel, wood, vinyl, and fiberglass.

Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of each patio door material:

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Aluminum

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  • Durable
  • Rust- and mildew-resistant
  • Ideal for temperate climates
  • Ideal for decorative glass

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Fiberglass

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  • Low-maintenance
  • Durable
  • Resistant to peeling, warping, and denting
  • Various texture and finishing options

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Steel

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  • Strong, durable, and secure
  • Well-insulated
  • Various finishes, including wood grain
  • Resistant to shrinking, warping, and rotting

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Vinyl

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  • Long-lasting
  • Low-maintenance
  • Energy-efficient
  • Ideal for decorative glass

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Wood

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  • Customizable
  • Plenty of options
  • Ideal for decorative glass
  • Provides architectural style

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Unique Design Options

French and sliding doors are ideal for leading to a balcony in the bedroom.

French doors are used in various areas of the home, replacing regular doors to add character to a room.

French doors can separate a formal dining room and kitchen. These also make for an attractive entry to a home office.

These doors are ideal for rooms that lack windows and natural light.

Patio Doors with Transoms & Sidelights

Combine windows and doors for an attractive architectural style.

A transom is a window over a door or another window and is usually rectangular. Sidelights are windows to the side of a door.

Transoms and sidelights are beautiful extensions of glass patio doors, adding a visual emphasis and extra natural light to a room.

Series of French Doors in a Wall

A series of French doors, such as four doors in a row, provides a panoramic view of the outdoors. These are especially useful if you have a beautiful view from your home.

Along with being functional, the doors also act as a glass wall or large windows for added natural light.

Replace a Solid Exterior Door with a Glass Door

Glass patio doors do not have to come with two or more doors. You can install a single panel glass patio door to replace a solid door.

Replacing a secondary door with a single panel glass door provides natural light and a view of the outdoors, even if you have limited wall space. These work well for side doors, back doors, and doors leading to a balcony.

Whether you want interior, exterior, contemporary, or classic, there are many unique designs available for patio doors in Ottawa.

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