How to Choose the Right Patio Doors for Your Home

Patio doors Miami FL

Patio doors both insulate your home and provide a broad opening for exterior living spaces. When yours develop a problem, the best solution is to call in a professional.

Ensure the new patio door you choose is Miami-Dade and Florida building code approved for impact resistance against high winds, flying debris, and water penetration. Check out the many styles available to suit your needs.

French Doors

French doors are hinged double patio doors that open and close on two sides rather than sliding on a track. They give your home a classic look and add value by accentuating a beautiful outdoor living area on your lanai, deck or patio.

Impact-rated French doors are a great choice for homes in Miami-Dade County where weather can vary between sweltering heat and tropical storms with fierce winds that cause severe damage to property. This state-of-the-art door option offers protection against high-speed debris while maintaining a stunning aesthetic.

PGT WinGuard offers a line of one and two-panel French doors that are Miami-Dade impact-approved, meaning they have been tested against the strongest Florida hurricanes and are designed to withstand the harshest coastal conditions. These doors are also energy efficient and offer increased security. They feature a multipoint locking system and can be glazed with shatterproof glass that’s virtually impenetrable to intruders. The door’s aluminum cladding is painted in white, a color that can complement the colorful conch-style homes of Coconut Grove or blend with more subdued tones in Longwood.

Hinged Doors

Hinged doors offer a classic look and are popular with Florida homeowners who want to connect their indoor and outdoor living spaces. They open outward and create a spacious center opening, making them well-suited for high-traffic areas like lanais, decks and patios.

They can also be paired with sidelights and transom windows for more formal entranceways. Hinges come in many styles and materials, depending on your needs. Steel hinges are stronger, but they rust more easily in outdoor applications; aluminum is lightweight and corrosion-resistant, while bronze has an attractive surface that oxidizes for a unique appearance.

Regardless of the type you choose, all our hinged patio doors are Miami-Dade impact-rated and tested to withstand high-velocity hurricane wind speeds. They are available with impact glass that protects your family from harmful UV rays, loud outside noises and intruders. You can also select a non-impact version for everyday performance and lower energy bills.

Sliding Doors

Sliding doors are a great option for homeowners who want to open up an area of their home to the outdoors. They offer a view of the backyard, pool, or porch without taking up too much floor space. They are available in two-, three-, and four-panel configurations and can be stacked to one side for even more unobstructed views.

They bring a good amount of natural light into the house, which can help lower energy costs. The larger glass panes can also provide excellent panoramic views of the surrounding environment, elevating the home’s ambiance.

Sliding patio door systems can be made more durable with the use of stainless steel hardware instead of alloys, which are susceptible to corrosion from saltwater. Some models can also be reinforced to withstand the force of Florida hurricanes, protecting the property from damage. Energy efficiency is also improved with insulated impact glazing, which acts as a barrier to the heat and cold and reduces sound transfer.

Glass Options

Hurricanes and extreme weather are common occurrences in Miami, so installing impact doors is one way to protect your home. These doors are more durable than traditional patio doors, so they can withstand strong winds and flying debris. They also meet Miami Dade’s building codes, so you don’t have to worry about the state of your home when a storm hits.

Coastal property owners may want to invest in impact doors with stainless steel hardware. Less expensive sliding doors feature alloys that corrode easily, so upgrading to stainless steel will ensure you get years of use.

Other homeowners might be looking for ways to protect their homes from the sun’s rays. Reef Window Treatments offers sliding door shades that are sustainable and stylish for any type of patio or French doors in your home. These shades are designed to reduce heat, block out sunlight, and filter light. They can be customized to fit your specific needs, and they are available in a wide range of colors.