Everyday Blog

When most homeowners install a patio, the one thing on their list are sliding patio doors to allow for easy exit from the house onto the patio. Sliding doors offer several advantages over traditional hinged doors, one example is they have a large screen to cover the opening to allow better air flow in the home as well as provide easier access in and out.

They give the room a more expansive feel as well as adding a lot of brightness to the area. Instead of leaving the windows in sliding patio doors open, leaving the room looking like a fish bowl from the outside, vertical blinds or sliding curtains are often used. For added warmth and ease of use vertical blinds are often used.

One caution when using sliding patio doors is to make sure they are secured at night and when not at home. The locking mechinism on the door should not be the only source of security. Using a dowel rod, at least three-fourths of an inch in diameter laid in the bottom track of the moving half of the door, will prevent unwanted access from the outside.

Choosing Door To Match The House

Most sliding patio doors come complete with the frame, but the trim can be selected to match the trim of other doors and windows in the home. The door jamb and frame can add that finishing touch to your French patio doors which will make them blend seemless into your home.

The only complaint you may have about your new sliding patio doors will be keeping it free of fingerprints or pawprints. Romoving the streaks and fingerprints is easily done with one of the many good glass cleaners on the market today. On bright sunny days the sun will expose streaks, dirt and fingerprints that your cleaning may have missed. Installing door blinds may help this situation.

The vacuum edge tool should be used at least once a week to prevent dirt or debris from building up. A good cleaning of the track and applying a little WD-40 occasionally will keep the door sliding smoothly.