If you\u2019ve been shopping for patio doors during the past few years, you\u2019ve probably seen the big, beautiful products with sliding and folding glass panels that offer breathtaking views.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, they also often have price tags to match.<\/p>\n
But what about the smaller \u00a0patio doors\u2014 you know, the ones you\u2019re much more likely to actually invest in?<\/p>\n
They\u2019re certainly big business. Research from the Window and Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA) found that sliding patio doors represent about 11.4 percent of all entry doors in the U.S. market in 2013. Additionally, an April 2014 study commissioned by the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA), another trade group that represents the door and window industry, showed that the market for residential patio doors of all kinds grew 15 percent from 2011 to 2013. It\u2019s expected to keep growing into 2016 and beyond.<\/p>\n
So what are the trends in these popular products?<\/p>\n
In February 2014, a Realtor.com \u201cHouse Crush\u201d poll revealed that 54 percent of women and 46 percent of men think outdoor living spaces make them \u201cfall in real estate love.\u201d That trend is here to stay, says Mark Montgomery, the vice president of marketing for Ply Gem Windows, a manufacturer of patio doors.<\/p>\n
Because so many people love outdoor living, there\u2019s now a patio doors<\/a> to fit every budget, he says. If you and your family want to be able to move easily from inside to outdoors, a sliding patio door is an attractive way to do that. A sliding door is also an option if you want an entranceway that is energy efficient, strong, secure and attractive. Replacing a worn, outdated, inefficient patio door with a new, on-trend sliding patio door makes for a more comfortable living space. It also increases the value of your home, Montgomery says.<\/p>\n Montgomery adds that sliding doors are an especially great option if you live in a smaller home and are looking to upgrade. Because many of those residences lack the space for a swinging patio door or bifold<\/a> doors, a sliding door can offer a more spacious feel at an affordable price.<\/p>\n Beyond indoor-outdoor living, perhaps the biggest trend in mid-range patio doors is a greater emphasis on quality, both in thermal efficiency and overall performance. That\u2019s important. These are often your home\u2019s busiest entryway, and they\u2019re often located in the main living space.<\/p>\n Greg Koch is the director of national sales for Deceuninck North America, which supplies many manufacturers with designs and materials for sliding doors. He says these products are becoming feature-rich. In fact, there are almost as many options on the low-end doors as there are on high-end products. Sizes are larger, and they\u2019re also available in a wider range of colors. That\u2019s because the manufacturing process for vinyl, the dominant framing material for sliding doors, now allows for more colors than white. That was the main choice for years because it reflects heat and was less likely to warp than those older dark hues.<\/p>\n Koch also says modern patio doors perform much better in terms of energy efficiency, security and resistance to adverse weather such as hurricanes.<\/p>\n Mark Davis, the executive director of the Earthwise Group, a national network of locally owned, independent manufacturers that designs and builds custom windows and doors, says less-expensive patio doors can provide views, performance and energy efficiency that are almost the equal of higher-end sliding doors. The standard vinyl patio door has evolved into a reliable, durable and energy-efficient product. He says that\u2019s great news if you\u2019re in the market for a product that will improve the livability and curb appeal of your home.<\/p>\n Get an Estimate<\/a>\n\n Ease of use is another critical consideration if you\u2019re in the market for a sliding patio door, says Laura Weil, the sales manager for Euro Vinyl Windows in Woodbridge, Ontario.<\/p>\nAffordability and Performance Work Together<\/h2>\n
For Patio Doors, Simpler is Better<\/h3>\n