Patio Door Buying Guide

Deciding which patio doors to get can be a difficult task. There are so many options and so many questions that you need to ask before you make the decision. Here at ATT Fabrications, we have assembled a guide for you with everything you may need to consider before finding the patio doors of your dreams.

Change the look of your home

Patio doors can change the entire look of a domestic space. The nature of doors being the gateway to the home means that you can transform the look of your home from both the interior and exterior in a simple installation. Patio doors can give your home the upgrade it deserves.

Entertainment purposes

If you are a household which entertains guests frequently, or even if you host occasionally and want your guests to have an indoor/outdoor space to socialise between then patio doors are definitely for you.

Increases your property value

You may be a property developer and want to think about increasing the property value. One simple way you can do this is by installing patio doors which make the space feel bigger such as bi-folding doors. Adding doors which give the space an open feel is a method which many homeowners use when trying to add long-term value to their property.

Security benefits

Patio doors are one of the most secure door types available on the market, and aluminium built doors are extremely secure fixtures. Here at ATT Fabrications, we have a selection of aluminium-based doors for you to explore including Aluminium French Doors and Aluminium Bi-fold Doors.

Save money on bills

With large glass panes, comes lots of natural light which can make a room look bigger and help you save on electricity bills. You can also regulate your heating a lot easier with patio doors as the double glazing of the fixture will keep the heat in during the winter months and in the summer months, you can easily open the doors to let in a gentle breeze.

Here at ATT Fabrications, we have a wide range of patio door options for you to choose from including bi-folding doors, patio doors, and even sliding patio doors. Each type of fixture has a different purpose and will be suited towards different home aesthetics, and we have all of the pros and cons for you to decide on which patio door option is the best choice for you.

Bi-fold doors are a contemporary style of patio door which fold back to create an indoor-outdoor space which you can open up to transform the space completely. We have a range of colours including modern anthracite grey as well as traditional homely colours such as golden oak. We also offer a Design Your Own service where you can choose the features, colours and materials of your bi-folding doors. But what are the pros and cons of bi-folding doors?

Pros of Bi-folding doors

Stylish

Secure

Transforms the space so you can have an indoor/outdoor space

Low maintenance (easy to clean)

Energy efficient

Cons of Bi-folding doors

Have panels which can block natural light

May need to stack in your home

Can be harder for older people to open

If you would like even more information about what to consider when choosing your bi-folding doors, then you should read our ‘Things to consider when buying bi-folding doors’ blog post.

French Doors are elegant fittings which will help you take the appearance of your home to the next level. Here at ATT Fabrications, we have a selection of colours and materials for you to choose from including Aluminium French Doors and uPVC French Doors. What are the pros and cons of French Doors?

Pros of French Doors

Easy access to your outdoor space

Add natural light to your home

Increase property value

Secure fitting

Save on energy bills

Robust

Easy to clean

Cons of French Doors

Hinges can become stiff if not maintained

Can catch in the wind

Don’t open up the space like bi-folding doors

Imagine it’s sunny outside and you want to enjoy a coffee in the warm sunshine in your garden. With Sliding Patio Doors, you can easily slide the doors to one side and head out into your outdoor area. Here at ATT Fabrications, we have a selection of Sliding Patio Doors for you to enjoy including a variety of colours and material choices.

Pros of Sliding Patio Doors

Take up less space

Easy to operate (can open with one hand)

Easy to maintain

The illusion of space (allows natural light)

Slim frames which don’t obstruct your view

Don’t blow in the wind

You can adjust how open you want the doors

Secure

Cons of Sliding Patio Doors

A potential danger of trapping fingers

One fixed panel which can’t open

Not suitable for narrow openings

What questions do you need to ask yourself before deciding on the patio doors for your home? There may be things that you haven’t considered but could be a potentially deciding factor for your patio door choice.

How’s the view from the doors?

What do you look out on to? Is it a garden building? Or perhaps it’s your manicured lawn which you’ve spent all summer preparing? Or it could even be the deserted shed you’ve neglected. You may need to consider how much natural light will be coming through into the space once you have installed your doors. Is there anything blocking your view which you may need to move before you add the new fixture to your property?

What is the most energy-efficient patio doors?

Many people believe that aluminium doors aren’t energy efficient; however, this isn’t true they don’t lose heat. Aluminium is a thermally stable material and doesn’t expand or shrink with changes in temperature or humidity. Our aluminium products which include Aluminium French Doors and Aluminium Bifold Doors have double glazing which helps to keep heat in the property during the winter months. Our Aluminium French Doors have a U-value of 1.7W/m2k as standard with ‘Warm edge glass’ which can be added within the Design Your Own French Door page. The U-value for our Aluminium Bifold Doors spans from 1.5 - 1.7W/m2k as standard with ‘Warm edge glass’.

Our range of uPVC Bifolding doors are similar in their exceptional energy efficiency with a U-value of 1.5W/m2k as standard but warm edge options are available in the Design Your Own page. The uPVC French Doors available also have a U-value of 1.5W/m2k as standard.

Are Patio Doors secure?

Our products here at ATT Fabrications have a variety of safety features to ease your mind surrounding any safety concerns you may have.

Steel reinforced 70mm profiles.

28mm toughened safety glass.

High-security multi-point locking system.

Internally beaded door options for added security.

How easy are patio doors to maintain?

One of the appeals of patio doors is the fact that they are low maintenance fixtures. We have an extensive guide on the best ways to clean glass doors which includes tips such as using vinegar, the order you should clean your door and methods for you to dry your doors. You can read our 8 Tips For Cleaning Glass Doors guide over on our blog.

The debate on which material is superior Aluminium or uPVC is one which has multiple answers. We thought it would be best to give you the facts based on a range of factors including cost, durability and more so that you can decide which is the best material for you.

Durability and sustainability

You want your doors to last for years to come, and it is important no matter what type of door option you choose that it is robust. uPVC doors have been a popular choice for fittings around the home for decades due to their resistance to rot and durability. On average, a uPVC door will last 20-30 years before their frames need to be replaced. Aluminium doors tend to be a less popular choice, but they are a door option which has gained popularity over the past few years. It is a highly durable material, and unlike other metals, you don’t have to worry about the frame of the metal rotting. On average, an aluminium door can last up to around 45 years before it will need to be replaced as they don’t degrade in the same way as their uPVC counterparts.

WINNER:

Aluminium Doors

Energy Efficiency

Aluminium is known for being a conductor of energy, and this has caused a misconception that aluminium doors are not energy efficient. The conductive nature of aluminium may be true, but as technology has advanced door suppliers have found ways to ensure that heat doesn’t escape from the fixture. uPVC is known for being exceptionally energy-efficient, and all patio doors must have a WER (Window Energy Rating) of at least a C as standard, and both kinds are capable of having an A++ rating.

WINNER:

It's a tie!

Cost

This is a tricky one and depends on individual needs, size of the project and how often you will replace the fitting. Our aluminium bi-folding doors start at £1,995, and our aluminium french doors start from £1,295. In comparison to their uPVC counterparts where uPVC bi-folding doors start at £1,349, and uPVC french doors start at £459 you can expect to pay more for an aluminium door. Aluminium doors, however, have a longer life expectancy in comparison to uPVC.

WINNER:

uPVC doors (in the short term)

Prices vary depending on the size of the project and the features, materials and glass you want to install. The best way to get a quote for your project is by exploring our Design Your Own pages.

Bi-fold Doors Cost

Design Your Own UPVC Bi-folding Doors Quote Calculator

Design Your Own Aluminium Bi-folding Doors Quote Calculator

Prices for bi-folding doors start from £1,349 and can go up to £3,445+

French Doors Cost

Design Your Own French uPVC Doors Quote Calculator

Design Your Own French Aluminium Doors Quote Calculator

Prices for French Doors start from £459 and span up to £2,265+

Sliding Patio Doors Cost

Design Your Own uPVC Sliding Patio Doors Quote Calculator

Prices for Sliding Patio Doors start from £579 and span up to £3,095+

Fitting your own patio doors may seem like a daunting task and one you don’t want to undertake, but don’t worry we have an extensive guide which you can consult when you fit your new patio doors. Check out our downloadable guide on How To Fit uPVC Patio Doors and How To Fit Aluminium Patio Doors. Each guide has a step by step guide on how to fit your brand new patio doors, including handy tips on what to do before you start the fitting process.

Now that you know all that there is to know about patio doors, you should browse through our beautiful range of bi-folding, french and sliding door options.