Tips
Types of replacement patio doors
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Patio doors can transform your home’s style and functionality. They serve as the transition from the indoors to the outdoors. The type of patio door you choose should complement your home’s décor. Learn about Infinity patio door types to find the perfect patio door.
Types of patio doors to consider
There are three popular types of patio doors: sliding, French, and bi-fold. Each type has a unique style and function. Patio doors either swing or slide open. A bi-fold door can function both ways in certain configurations. Here’s what to know about different types of patio doors and where they can work best in your home.
Sliding glass door
Sliding glass doors often appear in homes leading to decks or patios. They can come as two-door, also referred to as two-panel, configurations. Infinity sliding patio doors can have as many as four panels and stretch as wide as 16 feet. Our sliding patio doors feature slim frame profiles to maximize natural light and views. You also choose our sliding French door option, too. It has the traditional style of a French door and the space-saving function of a sliding patio door.
Pros and cons of sliding glass doors
Sliding glass door pros
Expansive natural light space: Infinity patio doors can reach heights of 8-feet tall to create spaces filled with nourishing natural light.
Space-saving design: Since sliding patio doors use a track system to open and close, they don’t need room to swing open. If you’re concerned about a door’s swing path interfering with furniture, a sliding patio door offers a solution.
Ventilation: Sliding glass doors open wide for cool breezes to pass to add ventilation to your home. Good home air circulation has several benefits for the air quality in your home.
Sliding glass door cons
Operation: Sliding glass patio door tracks must remain free of debris for smooth operation. Infinity Sliding Patio Doors feature heavy duty rollers for easy movement. Plus, we use a top-hung screen design. Top-hung screen rollers remain free from debris that can accumulate along bottom tracks.
Infinity sliding glass door project
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Sliding French door
Our sliding French door functions the same as a sliding patio door. It adds the elegance of a traditional French door. It strikes the perfect balance of style and function for those who enjoy French doors but lack space for a swinging door. You can select between two, three, and four panels to find the fit for your home.
Pros and cons of sliding French doors
Sliding French door pros
Bold profile: Our wider panel sliding French door has a bolder design than our sliding patio door.
Divided lite options: You can select one of several divided lite patterns to match your home’s existing French door style. Or, you can add a divided lite pattern for more design accents.
Style continuity: If you have swinging French doors in other places in your home, a sliding French door can complement your interior design motif.
Sliding French door cons
Smaller viewing area: The wider profile does reduce viewing areas and space for natural light to enter. But the extra style the design offers can outweigh that.
Infinity sliding French door project
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Bi-fold patio doors
Bi-fold doors, also called accordion doors, slide along a track. They stack together tight when opened. Bi-fold doors open your home for guests by extending the indoors outdoors to a patio or deck. Infinity Bi-fold doors span up to 22-feet wide with our seven-panel configuration to expand indoor-outdoor living.
Bi-fold doors pros and cons
Bi-fold patio door pros
Unique design: Folding glass doors, have a unique design ideal for maximizing indoor-outdoor living spaces. When opened they allow ample fresh air inside. Our bi-fold doors have an available pleated fabric screen to keep pests outside.
Versatility: Our bi-fold door has 28 configurations available. You can have one panel operate like a swinging door while the rest function like an accordion door. Let your imagination wander with the design possibilities!
Panoramic views: Infinity’s Bi-Fold Door captures scenic backyard views. A bi-fold door can serve as a window wall with the function of a patio door.
Bi-fold patio door cons
Space: Bi-fold doors often get used in expansive areas, like a living room or a kitchen, and need sufficient space to open. Tight on space in your home? Infinity Bi-Fold Doors can come with as few as two panels to fit into any space like a sliding patio door.
Infinity bi-fold door project
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French patio doors
French doors, also known as hinge doors, have classic style that homeowners love. They work great in spaces lacking natural light because they have a large glass area and can come as one panel. Choose a one, two, or three-panel French door to fit your vision for your home. Our French doors swing in, so you don’t have to worry about them interfering with any outdoor landscaping. The difference between French doors vs. sliding glass doors is the profile of the door. French doors have wider profiles for bolder looks than slimmer sliding patio doors.
Pros and cons of French doors
French door pros
Elegant design: French doors have timeless appeal that fit traditional home styles well. You can also add divided lites to maintain a historical look.
Adds natural light: French doors fit perfect in mudrooms and laundry rooms to bring natural light into spaces that don’t always get it. Bedroom French doors add style and refreshing natural light.
Flexible configurations: French doors can come as a single door, double doors, or three doors. You can have one door remain stationary with two-panel and three-panel French doors. You can also have both doors swing in from the center for a wide opening in a two-panel configuration.
French door cons
Swing path: French doors open and close with a hinge. They need room to swing open without obstruction. Some rooms might not have the space to accommodate a swinging door. In those instances, a sliding door might work best.
Infinity French Door project
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What to know about replacement patio doors
When you’re thinking about different types of patio doors, consider the door material. Different patio door materials have advantages and disadvantages. Knowing the differences can help you make a wise decision. It’s also important to know how the door glass affects your home’s energy efficiency.
Patio door materials
Patio doors get built with different materials. Each type of material has different properties that make it stand out. Manufacturers build patio doors with vinyl, wood, aluminum, or fiberglass. Infinity uses our proprietary Ultrex® fiberglass to construct our patio doors.
Vinyl
Many patio doors get built with vinyl because of its affordability. However, vinyl lacks the strength of Ultrex fiberglass. Vinyl can start to soften when exposed to high temperatures. It can also expand in warm weather and contract in cold weather. A patio door material that expands and contracts can make it difficult to open and close.
Wood
Wood patio doors have warmth and charm for timeless appeal that homeowners enjoy. Wood patio doors may need routine maintenance to keep their appearance and operation. If you like wood patio doors but not the maintenance, Infinity’s EverWood® interior finish looks and feels like wood without the upkeep.
Aluminum
You can choose aluminum patio doors or aluminum clad doors. Aluminum patio doors offer an affordable solution for those looking for a stronger material than vinyl. Aluminum patio doors aren’t ideal in hot or cold climates because aluminum is not a good insulator. Cladding applies a thin layer of aluminum over wood to prevent moisture issues with wood. Wood also serves as a better insulator than aluminum alone.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass patio doors offer an energy efficient option that needs next-to-zero maintenance. Infinity’s Ultrex fiberglass has 8x the strength of vinyl and a thick acrylic finish resistant to scratches. Choose from seven exterior colors and five interior finishes, including our EverWood finish. We also have dark exterior colors available because of our fade-resistant finish.
Ultrex fiberglass: Proven strength for peace of mind
Compared to other materials, Ultrex is the strongest framing material in the replacement industry.
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Patio door glass
The type of glass plays an important role in making your home energy efficient. Patio door glass gets coated with microscopically thin metallic coating called low emissivity (Low-E). The coatings help reduce solar heat gain. Some coatings can reflect heat back into your home to help keep heat. Certain coatings work better in specific climates than others. Those in warmer climates will prefer a glass coating that rejects solar heat. Someone in a colder climate will want one that allows more heat into a home. Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) numbers can help determine the right type of glass coating for your home. The coatings also help block ultraviolet (UV) rays that can fade furniture in your home. Infinity features four Low-E coating options. One of our consultants can help you pick the best patio door for your climate.
Patio door hardware
When you select a patio door you also have a choice to make with the patio door handle. Infinity has two patio door handle styles. Our Northfield collection has a contemporary appearance. Our Cambridge collection has a curved design to suit traditional homes.
How much do patio doors cost?
Patio door costs vary based on the type of material used to build them. The size of the door also affects the cost of a patio door. You also must factor in labor costs when buying a patio door. Patio door replacement projects can also have special installation needs. The patio door features and options you choose can impact the cost of a patio door.
How to choose a patio door?
You can consult a patio door buying guide to help you choose a patio door. But the main considerations are function, looks, material, and style. You can choose between sliding patio doors, swinging patio doors, and folding patio doors. You also want to think about how the patio door will look. The type of material you choose for the door matters, too. Some materials have more strength and durability than others. The patio door style options you choose make a difference. Factoring in your climate is important when considering glass options.
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Swing space
French doors need space to swing open. It’s important to measure the space where you’ll have the French door, so its swing won’t interfere with anything. A new French door might have a different swing path than your old French door.
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Appearance
Each type of patio door has a distinct style. The one you want for your home can make a statement. A bi-fold door provides a big splash in style. A modest sliding patio door can blend in with your home. You might want to consider the curb appeal of a patio door if it’s visible to neighbors or passersby.
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Material
The patio door material you choose makes a difference. Fiberglass has a longer useful lifespan than vinyl.1
Vinyl can also chip or dent when hit. Infinity’s Ultrex fiberglass can take the hits—like wind, rain, hail, and branches. Investing in the right patio door material can pay off when you consider vinyl vs. fiberglass.
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Style
You can consider your home’s design and style when replacing a patio door. French doors often appear in traditional style homes. More contemporary styled homes can feature bolder patio doors, like a bi-fold door. A patio door should complement your home’s design.
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Climate
A patio door can span a considerable space in your home. Finding a patio door with quality insulating properties can make a difference. Infinity’s Low-E glass coating options can match your area’s climate needs. Ultrex fiberglass is also 5,000x thermally less conductive than aluminum. That means it helps keep homes cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.
Sliding glass door replacement
Knowing where to buy replacement patio doors can be tricky if you haven’t done it before. Replacing sliding glass doors is easy with Infinity. Our consultants can help you find the right options for your sliding glass door. We’ll also handle installation. It’s tough enough picking a patio door. Trying to find professional installers is another thing. Infinity makes it so you can find both at the same time.
1 “Life cycle assessment of windows for the North American residential market: Case study” by the University of British Columbia. Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research, 2008.