Sliding Patio Doors vs. Swinging Patio Doors for San Diego Homes

As the weather in San Diego starts to warm up and the days get longer, people are starting to think about spending more time outdoors. For some, that means entertaining in the backyard. For others, that means grilling outdoors or simply spending time in their backyards, on their patios, or on their balconies. In addition, warmer weather can mean opening up your windows and doors to allow fresh air in.

Just about every home in San Diego has a patio door of some sort that serves as the passageway from the indoors to the outdoor area. Some homes even have multiple patio doors. If your home is more than 40 years old or so, and its patio doors have never been replaced, they are likely starting to show their age. It may be difficult (or even impossible) to open and close your patio doors. The glass may be scratched, and the screens may be long gone. They also may allow in a lot of heat on especially hot summer days—even when closed—because they don’t have energy efficiency technology built into them.

If the paragraph above describes the patio doors in your San Diego home, it may be time to think about having your doors replaced. Today’s patio doors are leagues ahead of older ones when it comes to energy efficiency, safety, and ease of use!

Patio Door Style Options for San Diego Homes

If you are replacing your patio doors anyway, you might want to consider the available options when it comes to door styles. If you currently have a sliding patio door with two glass panels, you don’t necessarily have to replace it with one that is similar in style. You also have the option of replacing it with a set of French swinging patio doors or French sliding patio doors. Both of these are great options and are considered upgrades when it comes to estimating the value of a home.

Sliding Patio Doors Vs. Swinging Patio Doors

Two-panel sliding patio doors are the most common type of patio doors on the market. They open by sliding one of the glass doors in front of the other. The operable panel uses rollers at the top and bottom of the door, which roll within a channel or groove. You can choose which of the two panels will be the operable panel, based on the setup in your home. This style is by far the most popular type of patio door we sell at BM Windows. It is a great choice for just about any home—large or small!

If you have a larger space, you may want to consider either a three-panel or a four-panel sliding patio door. In a three-panel slider, only one of the three panels is operable, but you can choose which one (left, right, or center). If you choose the center panel to be the one that opens and closes, you can choose which direction it will slide. With a four-panel sliding patio door, you can have the two center panels be operable, or one of the outer panels. Most homeowners choose to make the two center panels operable, because it gives them a wide opening to the outdoors when both are opened at the same time. Three- and four-panel sliding patio doors let a ton of natural light into your home and give you a great view of the outdoors!

Then, we have French swinging patio doors (also known as French hinged doors). These are the types of French doors you are probably most familiar with. They have thick frames surrounding the glass, and they open and close on hinges, similar to a regular door. You see French doors most often in pairs, with the two doors swinging out and away from each other to create a wide opening to the outdoors.

At BM Windows, we also sell French sliding patio doors. These types of patio doors operate in a way that’s similar to regular sliding patio doors, but they have the look of traditional French doors, with a wider frame area and a smaller glass area. The smaller glass area makes French sliding doors a little more energy efficient than sliding doors with thin frames, but it also means they let in less natural light. It’s a trade-off that homeowners should keep in mind when choosing between the two styles. French sliding doors are often chosen when homeowners want the upgraded look that French doors bring to a home, but don’t have the clearance for swinging doors. This makes them great for small patios or balconies.

What if I Want a Bigger Patio Door Than My Current One?

Many San Diego homes have the typical two-panel slider. But what if you have the wall space for a bigger set of patio doors? Maybe you want a three-panel or even a four-panel slider that takes up almost the entire wall? That is certainly an option. However, it will require bringing in a contractor to do new framing to support the larger set of doors. We can help you get connected to a contractor who can complete the work for you, or you can use your own licensed contractor. Let us know if this is an option you would like to pursue, and we can help you with what needs to be completed before we install your new, larger patio door.

Patio Doors with a Great Warranty Included

New patio doors can be a sizeable investment for most San Diego homeowners. Make sure your investment is protected by purchasing patio doors with a great warranty. At BM Windows, all of our patio doors come with a lifetime warranty from the manufacturer, which means your patio doors will be repaired or replaced, at no cost to you, if any defects are discovered—for as long as you own your home!

In addition, BM Windows offers a lifetime installation guarantee that covers you for any issues that occur as the result of an installation error.

Contact us at BM Windows to learn more about the patio doors we sell and to get help choosing the option that is best for your San Diego home. If you are ready to get an estimate, get in touch with our office to set up an appointment with one of our helpful team members, who will come to your house, take measurements, answer all your questions, and provide you with a quote. They won’t try to pressure you into signing a contract right then and there. Rather, they will give you all the information you need to make an informed decision and let you take it from there!