A patio door helps shape how light and daily traffic move through your home. When you start shopping for a new patio door, the various style choices may feel overwhelming. The right selection can balance aesthetics and performance while increasing the long-term value of your property.

Our team at Gilkey Windows & Exterior Solutions created this guide to help you identify the ideal patio door for your home. We proudly carry brands like Infinity from Marvin and Gilkey Sliding Doors with local manufacturing, to provide our clientele with only the best.

What Are the Different Types of Patio Doors?

Before we get started with the how-to of it all, here’s a quick preview of the types of patio doors you’ll see during your shopping journey:

  • Sliding Glass Doors: A sliding door that opens horizontally, gliding horizontally and parallel with the wall, letting fresh air and natural light in easily. Sliding doors are the most common type of patio door in Kentucky homes.
  • Sliding French Doors: Sliding French doors don’t swing at all. It slides along a track, offering the aesthetic benefits of the hinged version and the practical advantages of a traditional sliding patio door.
  • Bi-Fold Patio Doors: These patio doors feature hinges that connect to the glass panels, so the doors stack on top of each other when opened. They appear like traditional sliding glass doors when closed, thanks to their hidden hinges.
  • French Patio Doors: French patio doors don’t slide. These doors have hinges on the side that allow them to open in an inswing or an outswing.

What Do I Need to Look for in a New Patio Door for My Home?

Here are some considerations to keep in mind as you’re exploring different styles of custom patio doors for your Central Kentucky home:

The Right Style

Now, the style of patio door you choose sets the tone for the space and affects how the door functions daily. A classic sliding door, for example, works well in tighter areas since it glides along a track smoothly and doesn’t swing into your room like a traditional French patio door. It’s a practical option for kitchens and family rooms where floor space matters.

But, if you want a bold focal point, bi-fold patio doors could be a better fit for modern Kentucky homes.

Door Frame Materials

The frame materials of a patio door can affect its durability and maintenance needs, for example:

  • Wooden frames may offer a warm, natural look, with the option to be painted or stained to match your interior and exterior. It does, however, need more upkeep over time.
  • Fiberglass frames are resistant to warping and can withstand temperature fluctuations.
  • Modern aluminum frames are slim and allow larger glass areas, but they may also conduct heat more efficiently due to the lack of thermal breaks.

When you weigh these options, consider how much maintenance you’re willing to handle and how the material may look in about 10 years.

Energy Efficiency Abilities

A patio door can be a major source of heat gain or loss if it’s not built or installed properly. That’s why energy efficiency should be high on your priority list. And thanks to our collection of patio doors from Infinity from Marvin, with their certification in LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), that’s possible.

Modern glass often includes multiple panes, low-emissivity coatings, and gas fills that help regulate indoor temperature.

Additionally, inspect the weatherstripping and overall construction. A tight seal matters just as much as the glass itself. Small gaps can lead to pesky drafts that you’ll notice right away.

Security Features and Hardware

Security features have come a long way. Many new patio doors include multi-point locking systems that secure the door at several spots along the frame.

Your Interior Design Style

Your patio door should be a natural extension of your dwelling. The door frame color and hardware finishes are all factors. If the design is modern and needs a grid-free, clean glass panel, go for a bi-fold sliding door.

And for those wanting to enhance their home’s historical charm, sliding or traditional French doors can help achieve this aesthetic.

Find New Patio Doors Near Lexington, KY, With Our Experts

When you’re shopping to replace a patio door, the process becomes easier when you seek guidance from experts who understand the area’s local homes.

If you’re ready to explore new patio doors near Lexington, KY, and want to know how different styles can work for your home, contact us online or call (859) 294-9393.

Gilkey Windows & Exterior Solutions is a locally owned door and window company that serves Central Kentucky, including Lexington, Frankfort, Georgetown, Paris, Richmond, Versailles, and Winchester.