When it comes to purchasing sliding glass doors, numerous choices are present so the task could be quite a daunting one. Be it the home center at your street corner or big box hardware stores or the hundreds of special order catalogs, the choices are huge and diverse. However if few important criterion are kept in mind, you can easily short list and purchase that sliding glass door that you require.
The feature that is of primary concern when shopping for a sliding glass door is the door frame. Various styles are constructed in factories out of which solid wooden ones re a rather high end choice. A more economical style is the “wood clad frame” which is actually an aluminium frame enveloped by a cover made of wood. This particular frame, while cutting down costs also gives a wood finished look to the product.
Most low priced frames are constructed out of aluminium and it is interesting to note that a special category of frames called “thermobrake” frames are available. Their special feature is that the frame is made up of two pieces of aluminium that would stop frost from forming on the inner aluminium panel during winter.
The next key factor is the glass used on the door. The glass panels can be either single or double. The better preferred one is the IG unit or the double paneled glass. This category of glass will not shatter if it breaks as they are tempered. Therefore they have greater safety. A modern addition to these glass varieties is the low emissivity or the low E glass. These glass doors are very efficient as they have the ability to reflect heat to the environment. Since they don’t absorb and transmit the radiation, the furniture, carpets and curtains do not discolor or fade with time.
When it comes to hardware fitted on 6the sliding glass door, it is found that single point locks are not very secure. A better option is the double point lock that consists of a pair of hooks positioned in a manner so that these hooks are facing each other. this rules out the opportunity for the door to be lifted off its frame.
If you are worried about the security of this door, there are number of ways and products in the market that will take away your worries. Blocking bars can be fitted so that they are placed at the sliding doors stationary end and will therefore prevent it from opening from that side. If this bar is constructed from a metal, the degree of safety it offers will be much greater. Many other mechanical devices are also available in the market. These include security pins and they are installed right at the top or bottom on the inside of the frame so that when pinned, the door would not even budge.
To learn more about sliding glass doors, visit your local home store and have a chat with the staff as they have good knowledge in these areas and will provide the necessary guidance.
security is a concern, there are various aftermarket products that can be added to your patio door to make it more secure. Blocking bars can be added, that extend across the stationary side of the sliding door, blocking the door from being opened. If the blocking bar is made of a substantial metal, it will provide a good degree of security. Most blocking bar systems have mechanical attachment methods. Another add-on security option is a security pin. These devices are usually installed at the very bottom or top of the inside of the door, to prevent the door from opening when pinned.
For more information on what type of sliding glass patio door is right for you, visit your local home center and spend some time talking to the sales staff. They are usually well versed in the various aspects of the door lines they carry, and they should be able to guide you in the right direction.
