Okay, this may seem like a pretty straight forward article. You might even be thinking, who doesn’t know the differences between a front door and a patio door? But let me tell you the answers aren’t always as easy with these doors as one might think. Let’s start with the definition for one . . .
Front Door: the main entrance to a house.
Patio Doors : doors to an area adjoining a house, esp one that is paved and used for outdoor activities
Difference In Materials
We also happen to know here at Conservation Construction that another main difference of front doors vs patio doors is their makeup. Most front Doors are made of steel or fiberglass, while most patio doors are made of high efficiency glass with vinyl framing components. These are separate materials for several reasons. Patio Doors tend to have big glass to give you clear views to the outdoors. While Front Doors, although they can have glass embedded in the door or sidelights, are not one solid piece of glass.
20 Gauge Steel
The reason why front doors are typically made out of a stronger material such as fiberglass or steel is because they need to have strength against forced entry. That’s why our doors have a 20 Gauge Steel plate which gives you 49% more galvanized steel than a standard 24 Gauge Door. This kind of door will also protect the inside of your home from the outside elements to prevent air infiltration too.
Energy Efficient Glass
The biggest difference is the two doors is that one door, patio doors, are usually made up of glass and a vinyl frame. That’s why it is important for this glass and vinyl frame to have extreme energy efficiency. That’s because these doors protect your home from harsh sunlight and cold winds. At Conservation Construction we use our unique Glass In all of our windows, and patio doors to ensure energy efficiency. Our glass is extraordinary because it utilizes Low-E Glass Coating and Easy Clean Glass Coating. Not only will your door be able to stop the harmful UV rays from entering your home, but it will keep the inside of your home a more stable room temperature all year round.
Hardware
The last and major difference between front doors and patio doors is the hardware. Front Doors tend to have knobs and handles while patio doors tend to have just handles. This doesn’t mean that both handles and knobs are not super safe. All of our door hardware is super safe.
Front Doors and Patio Doors Compliment Each Other
To have a truly energy efficient house however, it is good to have products that work with each other instead of against each other. If you have both a new front door and a new sliding glass door they create a barrier to create energy savings. This prevents air infiltration from the outside to create a complete energy efficient system for your house. Pair these products with new windows, let me tell you you could reduce your energy costs by a giant proportion.
Final Thoughts
So if you are looking into a new front door or patio door, look no further than Conservation Construction. You’ll get strength, energy efficiency, beauty, and durability out of our doors. Call us today for your free quote and comment below on what your favorite part of this article was.