Materials
French doors can be made out of many materials, but the primary one which is glass does not change. Glass is the primary material used to provide the doors with their characteristic open feel that lets in shafts of light illuminate the living space in which they are set. The material you choose for the frames and trim of your French patio doors to be made from makes several notable differences in the function of your doors. Depending on the material chosen, your doors will either be more or less energy-efficient. Additionally, certain materials require a bit more upkeep than some others, having to be more intently and frequently cleaned, painted or even replaced. Most manufacturers will tend to shy away from using inefficient materials like wood and will instead opt to use vinyl, fiberglass or aluminum.
Milgard primarily uses vinyl for the construction of doors and windows, sometimes fiberglass, and (less frequently) aluminum. All of the materials are chosen carefully for their overall efficiency, high performance and low cost. The material you choose depends almost entirely on what you want your doors to accomplish practically. Whatever material you choose, you certainly won’t have to worry much about the aesthetic effect, as all executions of these materials in Milgard products are expertly crafted to look as aesthetically pleasing as possible. With that said, at US Window & Door we have a good variety of options for you to choose from so that you can make the best decision for your home and have as much of a custom look as you like, with as little cost to you as possible. Below are the several style series we offer for our French patio doors, with the benefits of each.
Tuscany Series
If you want the classic look of a wooden French patio door, but don’t want to deal with the inevitable and easily avoidable upkeep that comes with it, the Tuscany Series is the perfect choice for you. The broad frame lends a more traditional symmetry to your doors and Milgard’s vinyl formula is weatherproof, resists general wear and tear, and is a far superior material to wood. Vinyl doesn’t need to be painted, so these doors won’t incur additional yearly costs of upkeep. Being a poor conductor of heat and cold, vinyl gives an energy-efficient kick to your doors,. Vinyl insulates more effectively than wood or aluminum, and as a result, can help save you money on your heating and cooling bills. All in all, you can’t go wrong with this choice.
Ultra Series
Fiberglass is made primarily from glass fibers and resin and is one of the sturdier materials you can choose for the construction of many things. Fiberglass is used in a wide range of applications across industries. It is most commonly known to be used as insulation for attics and crawl spaces, but its fibers can be rearranged and woven into fabrics or, as in this case, used as the framework of an elegant and substantial set of French patio doors. Fiberglass is an excellent, inexpensive and weather-resistant option for the construction of your patio doors. Just like vinyl, it’s low-maintenance, stands up well to weather, has no need to be repainted, and has good insulating properties, making it another excellent energy-efficient choice for your San Diego home.
Hopefully, this information helps you on the path to choosing a truly beautiful set of French patio doors for your home. US Window & Door is ready to help you with a choice that will keep you satisfied for decades to come. Since every installation is custom, we’re happy to provide a quote. Call us today for a free in-home estimate for your arch and radius windows in San Diego.