Patio doors aren’t just a way to pop outside; they’re a crucial part of your home’s character and practicality. The best ones can flood your living spaces with lovely natural light and give you a seamless transition to enjoy your outdoor areas. But with so many patio door brands and types to choose from, where should you start? Let’s break it down step by step to choosing the best patio door.
How to choose a reliable patio door manufacturer?
When you’re on the hunt for a new patio door, you want to make sure you’re choosing a manufacturer that knows their stuff. The top ones really stand out because of their quality, durability, and stylish designs. They use top-notch materials to make sure their doors last for years, and they offer a whole range of styles to suit any home, whether it’s a cosy cottage or a modern marvel.
Energy efficiency is a biggie these days, isn’t it? The best manufacturers think about this too, offering features like advanced insulation and weatherproofing to keep your home snug and your bills down. And it’s not just about the door itself; great customer service and solid warranties are also key, giving you that lovely peace of mind. Plus, some of the really innovative companies even offer smart tech and customisation options to make your door truly yours.
Basically, the best patio door manufacturers blend craftsmanship, innovation, and customer satisfaction to create doors that not only look great but also make your home a better place to be.
who makes the best patio doors?
There are some fantastic companies out there crafting these doors. Here are a few you might want to have a look at:
Andersen Windows & Doors:
These chaps have been around since 1903 and are based in the good old USA. They’ve built a great reputation for being excellent and innovative, with French and hinged patio doors being some of their fortes.
Grandsea:
Over in China, Grandsea has been a leading window and door manufacturer and supplier in China, serving customers around the world for over 20 years. They offer a range of high-quality, practical doors, including sliding patio doors that are affordable, sustainable, safe and reliable.
Pella:
Another big name, Pella has been going strong since 1925 in the USA. They’re known for their quality, innovation, craftsmanship, and value, specialising in various patio door styles like hinged or French, sliding, bifold, and multi-slide, available in different materials too.
Milgard:
Based in the USA and part of a larger corporation, Milgard has been producing top-notch, energy-efficient products since 1958. They offer a wide range of patio doors, including sliding, swinging, pocket, bifold, and stacking styles in vinyl, fibreglass, and aluminium.
Marvin:
With roots stretching back to 1912 in the USA, Marvin is renowned for their fine craftsmanship and product innovation, focusing on elegant and practical patio door designs in various collections and types.
JELD-WEN:
Since 1960, JELD-WEN has focused on sustainability and quality, offering affordable and modern patio doors like sliding, swinging, and folding options.
Therma-Tru:
Specialising in entrance and patio door systems since 1962, Therma-Tru provides lasting and appealing doors, designed to extend the elegance of your space.
LaCantina Doors:
Founded in 1993, LaCantina is a leader in developing opening door systems with cutting-edge folding, sliding, and swinging technology.
There are many excellent patio door manufacturers listed in the information, so it is worth studying carefully. If you want to know more about the door and window manufacturers, or which company successfully caught your eye, please feel free to contact us for the most professional purchasing advice!
The types of patio Door
Patio doors come in a few main popular styles, each with its own charm and benefits. Let’s have a quick look:
Sliding Patio Doors:
These are a modern classic, with large glass panels that slide along a track. They’re great for letting in lots of natural light and giving you lovely unobstructed views. Plus, they don’t take up extra room to swing open, so they’re ideal for smaller spaces. Brands like Andersen and Grandsesa offer excellent sliding options.
Hinged or French Patio Doors:
These doors swing open like a regular door and bring a touch of timeless charm and sophistication. They can create a grand entrance to your outdoor space and often have wider frame profiles. They can be more secure too, thanks to their sturdy materials and locking mechanisms. Marvin and Pella are well-regarded for their hinged patio doors.
Bifold Patio Doors:
These are becoming increasingly popular as they create a really wide opening, giving you a fantastic seamless transition between your indoor and outdoor areas. The panels fold back on themselves, offering a real wow factor.
Multi-Slide Patio Doors:
Similar to sliding glass doors, but with multiple panels that can slide open and stack, giving you expansive views and wider access to your outdoor space.
Choosing the Right Material for Your Patio Doors
The material your patio door is made from will affect its look, how much it costs, how energy-efficient it is, and how much maintenance it needs. Here are the main contenders:
Vinyl:
Often a budget-friendly option, vinyl doors are durable, energy-efficient, and need very little maintenance. They also come in a good range of colours. However, they can expand and contract with temperature changes, which might affect how smoothly they operate over time.
Fibreglass:
These doors are known for being strong and very energy-efficient as they don’t transfer heat or cold easily. They’re also resistant to warping, rotting, and mould. While they might be a bit pricier than vinyl, their durability and low maintenance can make them a great long-term investment.
Aluminium:
With their sleek, slim frames, aluminium doors offer a modern look. They’re sturdy and lightweight, and they’re a good choice for coastal areas as they’re corrosion-resistant. However, aluminium conducts energy well, so it might not be as energy-efficient as vinyl or fibreglass unless it’s thermally improved.
Wood:
Wooden patio doors offer a timeless and elegant look and are naturally insulating. However, they typically require more maintenance than other materials to keep them looking their best and prevent issues like rot and warping.
What do I need to consider when buying patio doors?
Before you take the plunge, it’s a good idea to have a think about what you really need and want from your patio door. Consider these questions:
- How much space do you have? Do you need a door that doesn’t swing outwards, like a sliding door? Or do you have room for a grand swinging entrance?
- What’s your budget? Prices can vary quite a bit depending on the style, material, brand, and any custom features. Vinyl tends to be more affordable, while materials like wood and bifold designs can be more of an investment.
- How important is energy efficiency? If you’re keen to keep your home warm in winter and cool in summer without racking up huge energy bills, look for doors made from insulating materials like fibreglass or vinyl, and consider double or triple-pane glass.
- How much do you value indoor-outdoor living? If you want truly wide-open spaces, options like bi-fold doors or multi-sliding doors may be just what you need.
- What about security? If security is a big concern, French doors are often considered the most secure due to their sturdy construction and locking mechanisms.
- What is your local weather like? If you live in an area with high winds, such as a coastal area, French doors are actually very suitable. Grandsea offers impact patio doors with wind resistance rating certification. For cold weather, well-insulated wood, aluminum-clad wood or fiberglass multi-layer glass sliding doors or French doors are your best choice.
how to identify a door or window manufacturer?
If you’re not sure who manufactured your existing patio door, have a good look for a label or tag. It’s often placed at the top or bottom of the door. You might also find a logo stamped on the hardware, like the handles or locks, or on the frame, especially with sliding doors.
What kind of designs work the best for patio doors?
For good reason, sliding doors, French doors, and bifold doors are often the most popular choices. Sliding doors are great for their space-saving design and the amount of natural light they let in. French doors offer a more traditional and elegant style. And bifold doors are the go-to if you want that fantastic wide opening to blend your indoor and outdoor spaces.
Repair or Replace your patio door?
Sometimes a patio door might just need a bit of TLC, but other times it’s better to go for a full replacement. If your door is old, damaged, draughty, or difficult to open, it might be more cost-effective in the long run to replace it with a new, more energy-efficient model. Replacing a standard-sized door can sometimes be easier and even less expensive than trying to repair an old or custom one.
What is the cost of patio doors?
The cost of a patio door can vary quite a bit. A basic sliding glass door might start from around $400, but more elaborate hinged doors or those with premium materials can go up to $3,000 or even more. Factors that affect the patio door price include the brand, the material, the size, the type of glass (like double or triple-pane), and the colour. Generally, vinyl tends to be less expensive than aluminium, aluminium cheaper than fibreglass, and fibreglass less than wood. Bifold doors are often the priciest due to their more complex design. Don’t forget to factor in the cost of installation too, which can add a few hundred dollors to the bill.
Your Perfect Patio Door Awaits!
Choosing the right patio door is a big decision, but hopefully, this friendly guide has given you a good starting point. Think about your needs, your style, your budget, and the practicalities of your space. With so many excellent manufacturers and styles out there. If you are looking to buy windows and doors from China, you may want to learn more about Grandsea. Our high-quality patio doors not only look great, but will enhance the quality of your home for years to come!
