Which Type of Door is the Best Patio Door for Cold Weather?

Patio doors are a no-brainer during the summer months when the weather is nice, but what about patio doors for places like Alaska where the winters are long and cold?

Here are recommendations from our window experts for picking the best patio doors for cold climates.

There are many types of patio doors with different styles to choose from. So it’s important to think about how you want to use your indoor and outdoor space. A few things to consider include:

• How do you live and entertain?
• Do you have a pool, garden, outdoor living space you’d like to access from your patio doors?
• Do you have pets that go in and out?
• Do you need to access the area even when there’s snow outside?

Along with the use of your space, you’ll need to be mindful of the actual dimensions of the room and outdoor area where you’re installing the new patio door. Do you have room for a door to swing in? Swing out? If space is no issue, you will have more options to choose from, but if space is an issue, a sliding door is your best bet.

Sliding patio doors

Sliding doors are the most common type of patio door for good reason. They don’t take up much space and there’s no need to worry about inswing or outswing. A high-quality, professionally installed sliding patio door will also keep cold weather out and heat in during cold winter months.

Sliding doors allow a lot of natural light into any space year-round while providing a clear, unobstructed view of your backyard and Alaska backdrop. Sliding doors with screens allow for letting in fresh air while keeping the elements from coming into your home.

 

Renewal by Anderson of Alaska carries three types of sliding doors:

Perma-Shield® sliding doors have a contemporary, streamlined design that allows you to enjoy the widest possible view with maximum glass area. That means making the most of your Alaskan views year-round.

Frenchwood® sliding doors have the same aesthetic appeal as standard French doors, but the sliding door design keeps your space more open than a hinged door. They are a great selection for a traditional-style home and smaller rooms/spaces.

Narroline® sliding patio doors have a vinyl-clad wood, low-maintenance exterior, and a stainable natural pine interior. A slim, smart design distinguishes our Narroline sliding patio door from other contemporary alternatives. It has a modern look but features the same attention to detail and craftsmanship that Renewal by Andersen is known for.

French patio doors

If you have a more traditional style of home, want a lot of light, and have the extra room for an inswing or outswing patio door… you may want to consider French doors.

French patio doors are available with inswing or outswing styles. Inswing doors are a common choice in cold weather climates where there’s a lot of snow. It’s hard to open a French door into a snowbank if you haven’t had time to shovel and, in terms of cold weather climate safety, an inswing door is a good choice for quick exits in case of emergency.

Renewal by Anderson’s Frenchwood® hinged patio doors is built with the ability to choose a door that swings out or swings in. Choosing an outswing door can save up to 28 square feet of interior space, while an inswing design is better for going outside to a snowy deck or yard without letting the cold and snow billow into your home.

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Want additional guidance on selecting the best patio doors for cold weather? Renewal by Andersen of Alaska’s team of experts can help. Reach out to discuss any questions you have, and get a free quote for your project!