Backyard Doors: Sliding Glass, French Doors, and More
By: Architectural Visions
Whether your backyard faces your garden, swing set, water, or mountains, doors highlighting the exterior views make the outside scenery a focal point of your home. Having the right doors will showcase your backyard, allowing you to take in the exterior views from the indoors. If you’re looking to improve the view behind your home, read on to learn more about the different types of backyard doors that can frame the outdoor scenery and create an indoor-outdoor living experience.
Key takeaways for backyard doors:
- Sliding doors are an excellent choice for a backyard door because you can control the amount of air that enters and exits your home.
- Sliding doors are easy to use and let in plenty of light and unobstructed views.
- Scenic doors connect the inside and outside, offering panoramic views and considerable aesthetic value. They also provide durability and are energy-efficient.
- French doors elevate both your interior and exterior aesthetic. They are a traditional selection and offer a sense of classic elegance.
- When you’re replacing a backyard door, there are many functional aspects to consider, in addition to the door’s aesthetic, such as the local climate, the door operation, security features and energy efficiency.
Sliding doors
Sliding doors give your backyard door space a modern look and are easy to use as they slide on a track and provide quick access to the backyard. Sliding doors are an excellent choice for a backyard door because you can control the amount of air that enters and exits your home. They are typically made of two or more large panes of glass that slide sideways to open and close. Sliding doors let in plenty of natural light and unobstructed views, as they typically have fewer panels and larger pieces of glass. You can also open them in the evening to feel the cool breeze from the backyard. Sliding doors come in a variety of materials, such as wood, aluminum, or fiberglass, colors, hardware, dividers and other unique details.
Scenic doors
Scenic doors connect the inside and outside, offering panoramic views and considerable aesthetic value, and also provide durability and are energy-efficient. Scenic doors come in various styles, making it easy to choose the option that blends in with your home’s architectural style and design preferences. Scenic doors are also energy-efficient and are easy to operate.
Different types of scenic doors include:
- Bi-fold doors: Bi-fold doors offer a clean design aesthetic and large door sizes with more glass. These doors provide the ultimate panoramic views and can be up to 55 feet wide.
- Multi-slide doors: Multi-slide doors options include stacked, pocket, unidirectional and bi-parting designs and can be designed with up to ten panels.
- Lift-and-slide doors: Large lift-and-slide doors are incredibly versatile and have numerous panel configurations. They come in sizes up to 50 feet wide and feature highly functional pocket or stacked designs.
French doors
French doors elevate both your interior and exterior aesthetic. They are a traditional selection and offer a sense of classic elegance. Depending on the expanse you want the French doors to cover, you can choose from two, three and four-panel configurations. French doors can open and close by swinging in and out, or by sliding open and close.
Considerations when replacing a backyard door
When you’re replacing a backyard door, there are many functional aspects to consider, in addition to the door’s aesthetic.
- Local climate: If you live in an area with high humidity or you’re close to a body of water, it’s essential to select moisture and humidity-resistant doors. This will help your doors last longer, so you can enjoy the views for years to come.
- Door operation: Backyard patio doors typically swing open on hinges or slide open on a track. When you’re choosing between the two types of doors, consider the amount of space you have. If you’re limited on space, then sliding doors are the better space-saving option.
- Security: Since a door is a primary entry point into your home, multipoint locking will provide maximum protection. This means the lock engages in more than one spot.
- Energy efficiency: Since patio doors have a large expanse of glass, heat can quickly enter and exit the home, becoming an energy drain. Backyard doors that have low-E glass can block solar heat during warm weather and help keep the heat inside during the winter. Backyard patio doors should also close and seal tightly and have weather stripping.
AVI Windows & Doors
Turn to a professional to help you install your backyard doors by contacting the experts at AVI. AVI is your one-stop shop for all types of doors and windows, with in-person and online service options. Please don’t hesitate to contact us online or come by one of our Southeast locations and let us help you!