With the introduction of Milgard’s most popular models, exterior sliding glass doors have made great strides in design and function in recent years. Current versions offer a wide range of features, such as improved technology, more advanced security features, and a variety of glass options. Most people install sliding doors for outdoor use; for example, they are perfect for porches, terraces, and patios with beautiful views even though there are some use cases for interior sliding doors. Exterior sliding glass doors make your home look bigger, appealing, and modern, making it more attractive to visitors and giving you extensive views to the beauty around your Southern California home.
Popular Styles of Exterior Sliding Doors
Patio doors are available in a variety of variants, and homeowners love them for their beauty and functional versatility.
Traditional Sliding Patio Doors: What most consider a traditional sliding glass door features two or more panels, with at least one panel sliding horizontally along a track. They're ideal for spaces where swing-out doors aren't practical or ideal.
French Sliding Doors: Combining the aesthetics of French doors with the functionality of sliding doors, these offer a classic look with space-saving benefits.
Multi-Panel & Bi-Fold Sliding Doors: Also known as wall-sliding or stacking doors and bi-fold doors, these feature multiple panels that slide and stack to one side either on top of one another or in an accordion fashion, creating a wider opening than traditional sliding doors.
Pocket Sliding Doors: These doors slide into a wall cavity when opened, completely disappearing from view. They're perfect for maximizing openings and creating a truly seamless indoor-outdoor transition.
When choosing a new or replacement door, the architectural style of the house, including the door material, the size, shape, and the type of door itself should be taken into account to find the perfect fit. Choosing the right material and type of exterior sliding patio door will further enhance the value and style of your home so make sure you choose a quality product that will last for years. The installation of these systems is a big decision, which is why you should be familiar with the advantages and disadvantages of glass sliding doors.
Pro 1: Allow Natural Light into Your Home
Replacing your traditional patio door with an exterior sliding glass door can help make your home more energy-efficient and increase the value of your home. If you have a large wall in your house, it may be able to be replaced with a large door turning the room into a veritable conservatory with a sliding glass door or a bi-fold glass door. The right door can open a room, give it natural light and remodel your home’s exterior.
The large glass panes of these sliding doors allow plenty of natural sunlight into the house during the day. The glass runs from the floor to the top door panel, so the light comes through easily, covering the entire home and lighting it up all day. Bringing in natural and ample daylight makes your home more attractive and cozy. This will also make the house an energy-saving zone and reduce the monthly electricity bill if you previously had to light the room even in the day time. With sliding glass doors, you can reduce your energy costs through natural lighting and keep dust, rain, bugs, and noise away.
Pro 2: Require Minimal Space
Sliding doors can be a practical and attractive addition to your home as they offer numerous advantages for both residential and commercial properties. If you want to use one room for two different functions and separate them, these doors are ideal. For example, if you work from home and you have your office in the bedroom, a sliding door fits perfectly, providing a workable space without taking up much room. They save space as you don’t need an area around the doors to open them. You can slide them open from left to right with ease and without crowding the room.
Pro 3: Provide a Room with Outdoor Views
Indoor and outdoor living spaces have become a popular trend for home remodeling as homeowners seek to expand their living space by opening up patios and backyards. The integration of patio doors in your living room is an easy way to create a living area that mixes the indoors and outdoors. With high-quality sliding glass doors, you can get magnificent views of the outdoor areas, get easy access when needed, or leave them open on a great San Diego day. The versatility of these doors make them a great addition to any home renovation project.
A sliding patio door is no longer just for your patio as it more commonly used to serve multiple functions than just being the entrance to your home. Add a focal point and encourage room movement by installing an exterior sliding door in your home. Exterior sliding doors can be used to create a transition between the space inside and the outside of your home while also giving it character.
If you want expansive views and wider entrances, bi-fold doors and moving glass walls are perfect options. These types of patio doors consist of large glass panes that preserve the appearance of windows and walls. If you opt for a more traditional or classic look and feel, French sliding doors can also be used to extend the living room. French sliding doors offer the same functionality as most sliding doors but provide a bit more design than the simple thin frames.
Con 1: Security Flaws
When installed out of sight, sliding doors can be an easy target for determined and courageous intruders. While some of these problems are due to poor placement, they can also be fixed with a few simple modifications. They also give would be intruders a view into the home so if you want to preserve your privacy when replacing doors and windows, use decorative glass for less transparency, or you can add architectural interest to your doors by adding a grid pattern or blurring the view. This way, you can hide your interior from prying eyes.
Additionally, having a large glass panel instead of a solid fiberglass door is a much easier surface to break through. So choosing the location and purpose of these types of doors is key to ensuring security. Having a door that's easy to break through in an area that is not monitored requires other security measures like automatic lights, security cameras, and the right hardware options to maximize your home’s security.
Con 2: Require Regular Cleaning & Maintenance
Sliding doors can be challenging to clean and require cleaning more often than traditional doors if you want the glass to be smudge free. With some of the taller doors, it can be difficult to reach the higher portions of the glass for some homeowners. While that can be handled with a step stool or ladder, the tracks also have a tendency to accumulate dust or dirt when not cleaned often.
High maintenance and price requirements are usually associated with the use of glass. Glass doors need more upkeep than normal doors because they show their dirt more easily than a traditional wood door. If you live in severe climate conditions, sliding doors and windows can become fingerprint magnets because people tend to push the glass instead of the main handle or knob. This can result in repeated and more frequent cleanings even if less detailed in the requirements.
Sliding glass doors can also deteriorate with time, and if the door does not open easily, it may be due to rust deposits in the track for aluminum or warping of the frame if vinyl. For that reason, the frame needs proper maintenance as well. This ensures all the moving parts of the door to function and glide smoothly. If you notice a crack in the glass, you should contact your installation company or the manufacturer to select the best course of action.
Con 3: Vulnerable to Extreme Weather
Glass can be a liability when it comes to protecting your home from burglars, and more so if you live in an area with severe storms. While not common in Southern California, glass doors may not be the ideal option if that side of the house has objects that would be thrown around in heavy winds. The locks on most sliding doors work differently than other standard doors. If a lock breaks due to extreme weather conditions, it can cause damage to the glass door or cause problems for your security system when reading if the door is open or shut.
Find Out More about Exterior Sliding Doors Today
Now that you have a better understanding of the benefits and drawbacks of sliding glass doors, you can weigh up your choices and figure out if the benefits and costs are worth it.
Increasing the overall appeal of your home can be costly as glass doors are pricier than a standard single panel door on average. However, with the overall value and benefits you get from installing them, it can be a worthwhile investment. So make sure you choose high-quality Milgard sliding doors to ensure you get the most value from them for years to come.
Sliding glass doors are becoming increasingly popular to connect living rooms to the outdoors and are aesthetically hard to beat. While wooden doors still dominate this category, glass doors give modern homes an elegant appeal. At US Window & Door, we offer patio doors and exterior sliding doors suitable for almost every budget and architectural style. If you are already thinking about installing sliding glass doors or windows in your home, contact our window and door experts or visit our San Diego offices for more information, or to get a free estimate.
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