The Best Patio Door For Cold Weather

Sep 20, 2024Doors, Glass Windows, Patio Door and Window Repairs

How Our Lewes, DE Clients Choose The Best
Replacement Patio Doors For Cold Weather

Stay Warm And Comfortable While
Also Cutting Your HVAC Bills


Winter in Delmarva can be difficult for homeowners. Heating costs can reach exorbitant heights, and indoor comfort may suffer. That’s why it’s important to choose the best cold-weather replacement patio door in Lewes, DE.

Because glass is not a good insulator, you have to choose the right model. Otherwise, you may end up paying more than you should to heat your home. Furthermore, occupants may feel uncomfortably chilly all winter.

By choosing the best replacement patio door for cold weather, you can usually cut heat loss during winter as well as heat gain during summer. You’ll save money and stay comfortable indoors all year long.

Here is what to look for in a sliding door if you live in a cold climate.


#1. Choose Double- Or Triple-Paned Glass In Lewes, DE

Look for a replacement patio door with double- or triple-paned glass. The multi-paned glass features two or more panes of glass mounted together but separated by an air gap that limits heat transfer between panes.

While glass is a good heat conductor, gasses like air, krypton, and argon are not. Double-pane windows and doors feature a single air gap, while triple-pane windows and doors feature two air gaps, which gives it twice the insulating capacity of double-paned glass.

These air gaps slow the transfer of indoor warmth outdoors during winter and keep outdoor heat from entering the home during summer.

So, multi-paned glass is very effective at helping your home stay warmer and more comfortable during winter months, which makes it a good choice for cold weather areas.

It also cuts your energy expenditure, reduces your home’s carbon footprint, and minimizes your heating and cooling bills.


#2. Look For Replacement Patio Doors With Thermal Frames

However, glass comprises only part of the door. The door frame is also an important point of heat transfer. Some materials, like wood, expand or contract depending on the temperature and warp under the effects of moisture. This can lead to gaps between the frame and the glass that permit drafts.

So, choose durable materials like fiberglass, vinyl, or treated wood that do not expand, contract, warp, or absorb moisture. And choose frames that feature a thermal break – such as composite material – that prevents heat transfer from one side of the frame to the other.

A thermal break ensures the frame itself does not become a bridge to transfer heat outside on a chilly day. Rather, it keeps warm air inside and cold air outside.


#3. Consider A Multi-Point Locking System In Lewes, DE

Another feature to look for when selecting a replacement patio door is a multi-point locking system. A multi-point lock system bolts the door into the frame at multiple locations. It, therefore, squeezes the slider as tightly as possible against the door frame to eliminate gaps where drafts could leak past along the door’s edge.

Many sliding doors lock only in the middle – near the handle. But this permits leaks along the lip of the door both above and below the lock. Look for a lock system that pinches the door closed at numerous points along the edge of the door to prevent drafts. This seals the door all the way from top to bottom – not just in the middle.


#4. Look For Replacement Patio Doors With Low-E Glass

Consider a replacement sliding door equipped with Low-Emissivity (or Low-E) glass. Low-E glass features a very thin, non-toxic coating that blocks the door’s ability to let heat pass through. It permits visible light to pass through but blocks infrared radiation, which we feel as heat.

So, in winter, Low-E glass keeps indoor heat from radiating away outdoors, while in summer, it prevents outdoor heat from radiating inside. This makes it invaluable for both hot and cold environments.


Choose GoGlass For High-Quality Replacement Patio Doors
In Lewes, DE To Keep Your Home Comfortable In Winter

Replacement patio doors offer numerous benefits, including the ability to help your home stay warm and cozy during cold spells. Multi-pane glass features air gaps that prevent heat transfer, while vinyl and treated wood prevent heat from traveling through the frames.

Low-E glass keeps heat where you want it, while a multi-point lock system eliminates drafts along the frame face.

To learn more about the advantages of a new sliding glass door, reach out to us at GoGlass in Lewes, DE. We’ve been serving clients throughout the Delmarva peninsula since 1982, offering unmatched patio door, window replacement, commercial glass repair, and automotive glass service throughout the region.

We offer free, no-obligation quotes and convenient in-home consultations. Simply call us today at (800) 746-4527.