Add Patio Doors To Create The Illusion Of Space

by Anna Stenning
Replacement windows and doors have been big business for many years, nearly everyone these days has replacement double glazed UPVC windows in their homes. It seems a craze hit the nation with advertisements in the 80’s to replace your existing windows with revolutionary double glazing to reduce noise, drafts and maintenance of metal of timber framed windows, but is the reason why so many people have chosen to enhance their homes with patio doors too?

Patio doors seem to have increased dramatically in popularity over the last twenty years or so, with most new homes featuring a set of french doors somewhere within the house. But what makes them so desirable.
Most people opt to install patio doors to increase the amount of light in a room, increasing the light provides the illusion of creating space, by opening out dark corners.

However there is an element of letting the outside in when having french doors, especially during the winter months when venturing into the garden isn’t at the top of the agenda due to temperature and weather conditions. During the summer months having patio doors enables you to swing open the doors allowing air into your home, and exit into the garden or wherever your doors open out to.

Being able to open up your home to the outside again creates the illusion of space; patio doors are great if you love outdoor entertaining, making entrance and exit to your home far more accommodating. The great thing about sliding doors is that you are not limited to where you fit them as long as there are essential lintels in place to make sure that load bearing walls are properly supported. Most conservatories have a set of garden doors as standard, so when fitting a conservatory your are more than likely to also be investing in patio doors.

There are many pubs and restaurants nowadays which have chosen to add patio doors leading to beer gardens, these are great for access in and out of the premises allowing people to enjoy both the inside and outside at the same time, especially now with the smoking ban, many establishments choose to have a designated smoking area outside.

With all these positive aspects of patio doors are there any negative sides? Of course security is an issue, patio doors because of the expanse of glass allow everyone outside your property to see in, this raises issues about security, and what you should have on show. French or Garden doors themselves are as secure as any double glazing, and as standard patio doors should be made of toughened safety glass.

Although double glazing tends to exclude drafts, glass always allows the cold to penetrate. With a larger area of glass in a room it can lead to cold spots however these can be easily rectified with curtains and blinds, keeping the warmth in the room and the cold out. There are always solutions to problems.

Generally speaking there is no one specific reason for installing patio doors, its all down to personal preference and opinion. Especially if you consider second floor flats having sliding doors which open onto fire escapes, the reason here for safety in the event of fire and probably to create the illusion of space.

Anna Stenning looks at the reasons why people choose to have patio doors installed in their homes.

Article Source: Article Junction Network