Like most homeowners in Twin Falls, you probably like to spend your time enjoying the patio. Patios, however, come with a few concerns too. That includes UV glare on west/south façades and dust issues. Add to that, the weather in the city has extremes. Winters are cold and snowy, while summers are dry and windy. So, how do you choose the right the patio door style? Your best bet is to work with a reputable door installer, such as Nu-Vu Glass. The company has a local team of technicians and professionals who can offer bespoke ideas and options, depending on your property location, budget, and other factors. The good is that Nu-Vu Glass takes care of the entire installation process and even offers a warranty for select projects. For your help, here are some other things to know.
Key Aspects to Consider
Patio doors aren’t just about style. You have to consider many things, including:
- Frame material: Options include fiberglass, aluminum-clad wood, aluminum, and vinyl
- Operation: Choose between multi-slide, bi-fold, pocket, sliding, and hinged/French
- Glass: Options include argon fills, laminated, triple pane, and Low-E
- Performance: Ratings like -factor, SHGC, and DP/wind load
Quick Suggestions
- Start with use: Do you use the patio more often for accessing the backyard? If yes, consider durable tracks and wider openings. If you have pets at home or prefer to decorate the space, you have to check with the installer for what additional factors may matter.
- Check door styles: Sliding doors are great for saving space, but you have to keep the tracks clean. Hinged / French doors are classic, but you need more swing clearance. Multi-slide / Stacking doors are great for views, but the costs are higher.
- Consider frame options wisely: You have to factor Twin Falls’ weather for this. If you are low on budget, vinyl is an ideal choice. Fiberglass is great for withstanding temperature swings but costs can be higher. Aluminum-clad wood is high on aesthetics and protection, but requires vigilant sealing. There are also other options, such as all-aluminum and composite.
- Performance factors: We briefly touched on performance earlier. For patio doors, look for a U-factor of ~0.27 or lower, especially for winters. SHGC (Solar Heat Gain Coefficient) is also essential. The Air Infiltration (AI) rating should be ≤ 0.3 cfm/ft², which will help fight dust and drafts. Ask your installer about Design Pressure (DP) / wind rating, which is critical for wind events common in the city.
- Orientation is critical: In Twin Falls, you have to consider the orientation, too. Patio doors on the south and west have high solar gains, which means Low-E with low SHGC is essential. Northern patio doors mean cold exposure, for which you need lower U-factor and triple-pane glass. On the east, your patio doors face glare, so soft-coat Low-E is a better choice.
Other Things to Note
If your home is close to Blue Lakes Blvd, Addison Ave, or the Canyon Rim, you should consider laminated glass and higher DP ratings for noise reduction. Check with the installer to know about blinds and other ways you can add privacy. Hard water spotting is a real maintenance concern, so discuss that too. There are also building codes and permits, which you must not forget for new installations. As for the price, sliding vinyl patio doors are great for lower budgets, while for a mid-high range, you can consider fiberglass French patio doors. If you don’t mind paying, multi-slide / bi-fold doors are a must, but remember that installation and maintenance costs will be higher. Check with your patio door installation service in Twin Falls to discuss all options, and if possible, visit some of their latest projects.