It may shock you to learn the door industry is valued at over $140 billion. However, considering how essential doors are to a home, you’ll understand why so many people spend big on entryways.

If you need new patio doors, it may seem as simple as picking the first option you see when you arrive at your local showroom. 

However, there is more that goes into selecting the perfect patio door. After all, your yard is a sacred, serene space where you can enjoy the outdoors, so ensuring your entrance is up to par is paramount.

Stuck on where to start searching for the best option? Keep reading to learn how to choose the ideal patio door for your needs. 

1. Narrow Your Needs

Before you can start shopping, you’ll want to determine what you want from your patio doors. Though the answer may seem obvious – serving as an entrance – there’s more to it than just walking in and out of your home.

If you plan on installing your patio door in an area of your home that doesn’t see as much light, you may want to ensure you can bring as much natural light into the space as possible.

Also, you may want to use it as a functional entryway but as a decorative element. The type of patio door you choose can help complement the rest of your home’s style, adding a decorative touch.

Finally, you may want to create a more energy-efficient home, so installing the correct type of patio door can help you achieve that. This will impact how many panes the door has and the material of the frame.

Assessing these factors before you start shopping can help you determine what you’re looking for and narrow your options, ensuring you don’t feel overwhelmed by all the choices. 

2. Set a Budget

Much like assessing your needs, setting a budget is something you’ll want to accomplish before you start shopping.

Much of the cost for your patio doors will be the material they’re made from. Depending on the size and material you choose, you can spend anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000. Though most homeowners won’t pay five digits, this can be a pricey project. 

However, setting a budget before you go into your project is essential. You’ll need to consider the size of the door, preferred material, and the style you’d like. This helps narrow down your options by making the process less intense. 

3. Look at the Types of Doors

Next, you’ll want to consider the different door styles you can choose from.

One of the most popular options for outdoor entryways is sliding patio doors. These sit on a track and, as the name implies, slide back and forth to open and shut. Sliding doors are ideal for small spaces, as they don’t have to swing open.

Another popular choice for homeowners is French doors. These are a set of double doors that open from the middle. One of the main appeals of these doors is the fact you can open one or both at the same time, giving you control over the amount of air and light you allow inside. 

You can learn more about your sliding door options and opt for a more sophisticated style depending on your budget. Combining French and sliding doors, you can find an option that allows you to slide both panels to the side. 

4. Consider Security

Another significant factor you’ll want to consider is the security and safety the door can offer. After all, it is an entryway into your home, so ensuring you can secure it quickly and easily is crucial. 

Most all exterior doors come outfitted with a lock mechanism featuring a deadbolt for additional security and peace of mind. However, if you have a sliding door, you should consider adding a safety bar to the bottom of the track. 

This will fit in the space where the sliding door would sit if it were open, making it impossible to move the door. 

Similarly, you can invest in additional door locks for French doors that wrap around the parallel handles to ensure they can’t open even if someone can pick the lock.

Finally, you’ll want to decide on how much privacy you want. While many opt for stunning glass sliding patio doors, if you’re backyard doesn’t have much privacy, you may want to consider frosted glass.

This helps prevent wandering eyes from peeking into your home, offering an additional layer of security and privacy. 

5. Decide on a Door Material

Once you have researched all the significant factors of your patio doors, the next aspect you’ll need to cover is the material of the door. This is the element the glass panes will sit in, so ensuring it fits your budget, style, and maintenance needs is crucial. 

The most popular options offered by nearly every patio door company are wood, vinyl, and fiberglass. Each has its pros and cons in durability, longevity, and price. 

Wood is one of the most expensive options due to its aesthetic value, but it may not be as durable as the others. Vinyl is much more affordable and lasts longer than wood but may not look as nice. Fiberglass is the most durable and right in the middle of wood and vinyl when it comes to price. 

For example, wood is one of the most expensive options as it is the most visually appealing. However, you can get a cheaper option in a vinyl material that’s concocted from various chemicals. However, the vinyl may not look as nice as wood.

6. Think About Furniture

Though it may not seem important at the moment, you’ll find yourself frustrated once you have to rearrange all your furniture because you forgot to consider how easy it would be to open your french patio doors with your dining set.

Ensuring you pick the best patio door that works functionally with your indoor and outdoor furniture is crucial.

If you have a smaller space or furniture that obstructs your hinged patio doors from opening fully, opting for a sliding door may be your best bet. You can even look into having your sliding door track lead into a pocket for a smoother and cleaner look.

However, if you have plenty of space, you can install a swing door. You may even opt to keep one of the panels propped open at a time, allowing natural light and fresh air into your home while making it easy to move in and out of your home. 

7. Don’t Forget the Details

Next, you’ll want to consider all the less important details that go into your patio sliding door.

For example, you’ll need to choose the best handle and lock hardware that matches the style of your home while being secure and functional. You’ll likely be able to choose from a selection of hardware colors that match the other details around your home. 

You’ll also want to consider a patio screen door that helps keep bugs and debris outside while allowing an uninterrupted airflow in your home. Many screen doors, especially hinged doors, come in various decorative styles for additional details that add elegance to your patio space. 

8. Ensure the Quality

Finally, you’ll want to ensure the quality of the patio door installation and that the door itself is up to standard. After all, this is a pricey investment, so you want to make sure it’s money well spent.

Many assume that all installation companies are the same, however, the quality will vary based on the experience and professionalism of the workers.  Researching your options, whether you reside in Columbia, SC, or Sacramento, CA, is crucial to ensuring you get the best installation.

Similarly, you’ll need to research the best quality material. For example, vinyl is cheap and easy to produce, meaning there’s an abundance available. However, not all vinyl is the same, as some options are more durable than others. 

Pick the Best Patio Doors to Complement Your Space

Though you may not have thought there was much to consider when choosing the best door for your patio space, you would be surprised. Keeping these factors in mind can help put your mind at ease, confident you made the most informed choice. 

Remember, the most essential factor influencing your choice is the functionality of the door. After all, an impractical patio door is a waste of money.  

While you may know how to choose patio doors, your search for home improvement content doesn’t end here. You’ll want to check out the rest of our website for more tips and tricks.