Cobus Lourens from leading window and door manufacturer, Swartland, offers some insight into the most important considerations when choosing patio doors for your home.
Wooden patio doors offer unparalleled good looks – there is nothing that compares to the rich patina of genuine timber. Image credit: Swartland
The indoor-outdoor trend is here to stay, and what better way to open your home to the beauty that lies outside, than by installing new patio doors? Which door to choose? Hinged Pairs, Sliding or Folding – the variations can seem endless.
“New patio doors can improve the functionality of your home, as well as its aesthetics, liveability and the overall value of the property. They serve to enhance the flow between indoor and outdoor spaces – showcasing the gorgeous outdoor vistas beyond, as well as letting fresh air and natural light into your home’s interiors,” says Lourens.
The main types of patio doors
Lourens explains that there are three main types of patio doors – French Pairs, Sliding and Fold-a-Side doors: “The most suitable style of door will largely depend on the architectural style of your home, as well as its positioning and the main use of the door. Are you installing patio doors for a better view to the outdoors, for improved access, or for improving the overall appeal of your property?” Let’s look at the pros and cons of each type of patio door:
French Pairs: Two doors which are hinged doors to swing. They come in a wide variety of designs and offer a timeless and classical appeal that compliments homes with more traditional architectural designs. You can choose to open just one door, or both of them, and they offer the best security when shut. However, they cannot be used in very wide openings, offer a reduced glazing area when compared to their counterparts, can slam shut by wind if not secured with cabin hooks. They require space for the outward or inward opening arc of travel.
Sliding doors: As their name suggest, sliding doors are made up of two panels or 4 panels, one of which slides open over the other when opened. As they slide one over the other, they are a great option for smaller spaces, as you do not need any extra space to accommodate the opening motion like you would for French Pairs or Fold-a-Side doors. Furthermore, the large individual panels will maximise your view, the size of the opening can be easily controlled, and they can’t slam shut in the wind. However, even when open, the doors overlap, and therefore they don’t allow for the entire space to be opened up to the outdoors. They are also not suited to narrow openings.
Fold-a-Side Doors: These doors come in a wide variety of configurations that can span a wide or narrow opening, and they allow you to open up an entire area to the outdoors. They comprise narrower panels when compared to their sliding door counterparts and are designed to fold back on to one another in a concertina fashion. When open – they create an unsurpassed and seamless flow from the indoor and outdoor spaces. For ease of everyday use, they can be fitted with a traffic door, which allows you to open just one door, without having to open up the all the panels. The door panels do stack at a 90° angle on the side of the opening, so extra space is required to accommodate this. Also, since the frames are comparatively smaller, when shut, they tend to break up the outdoor view more than sliding doors would.
Different types of materials
As a general rule, homeowners have only two basic choices when it comes to the materials used to make patio doors, says Lourens, “Although there are other materials on the market, timber and aluminium remain the two most popular choices – and because both materials offer a plethora of advantages, it is easy to understand why they are the only real choices to consider.”
Timber: Wooden patio doors offer unparalleled good looks – there is nothing that compares to the rich patina of genuine timber. If it is sourced from sustainably managed forests, wood boasts unsurpassed green credentials as a building material – it offers excellent insulation, it is durable and long lasting, and it is very easy to recycle. If sealed with a water-based sealant, it no longer requires a lot of maintenance to keep it looking its best. Lourens says, “As part of our environmental responsibility, Swartland has always strived to make quality products that are durable and long lasting. Which is why we kiln-dry our wood to a moisture content of 8%. This process helps keep the wood in perfect balance with local atmospheric conditions, thereby stabilising the timber and minimising movement or warping.”
Aluminium: Patio doors made from aluminium are becoming increasingly sought after. Aluminium is an affordable, lightweight and durable material that is corrosion-resistant and performs well in the majority of climates. It is powder-coated, so it doesn’t need to be painted, and it boasts narrow profiles for a sleek and subtle visual appeal. Says Lourens: “Its natural strength means that aluminium doors can have really slim frames and hold more glass – meaning bigger doors with more glazing. This quality allows the outdoor views to take centre stage instead of the doors themselves.” Aluminium is also 100% recyclable, which reduces its overall carbon footprint.
For more information, visit www.swartland.co.za or www.kenzo.co.za.
