Rear extensions can be opened up completely to the garden through the use of bi-folds than span the width of the new space.These doors are from Origin. (Image credit: Paul Arthur) How Are Patio Doors Installed? Insulation for your entire home is important, including windows, floors, walls and doors, as a means to keeping the home energy efficient! The most known insulation type will no doubt be roof insulation; as it’s well known that heat rises, we’re able to trap that heat by thoroughly insulating our lofts and roof spaces, keeping the warm air inside the house instead of it being lost through insufficient insulation of the roof. By maximising the ways we can improve our home insulation, we are acting on our own carbon footprint and ensuring our energy usage is much more efficient. In simple terms, it’s good for the environment and your wallet!

Wooden French doors tend to be more efficient than their uPVC equivalents because the material is much denser. Heat, therefore, has a far more difficult time passing from one side of the material to the other. Insulating External French DoorsLook at the edges of your door, and you’ll see strips of weather-stripping. This is designed to compress when the door is closed, and form a tight seal that’ll keep draughts at bay. Door seals tend to come in the form of either brushes or lengths of rubber. To replace your weather-stripping, it’s best to first remove the old strips and take them down to your local hardware shop. That will make it easy to find a like-for-like replacement. 2. Draught excluders Monitor indoor temperature: Over the next few days, pay attention to the indoor temperature near the patio door. You should observe a more consistent temperature and reduced energy consumption. Install plastic window film - Specially designed plastic window film (also known as home window tinting) is an inexpensive, temporary solution that can help to insulate single pane glass doors during the coldest months of the year. Designed for windows, plastic window film is manufactured to be cut to size and can be tailored to fit any glass surface. Unfortunately, summer doesn’t last forever, and once winter arrives, you may find that prepping your doors for winter will save you loads of cold and wet trouble in the long run. Thermal curtains are specifically designed to regulate temperature by trapping heat inside during winter and keeping it out during summer.

Insulating a patio door is important for several reasons, mainly related to energy efficiency, comfort, and cost savings. Here’s why insulating a patio door is a good idea: A typical installation of standard bi-folds will take a professional team a day, although more complicated or larger systems can take two or three. The former option is well worth exploring, as with just a little bit of money and effort you’ll be able to vastly improve the energy-retaining performance of the door. How to Insulate External French DoorsBy assessing the current insulation, installing weatherstripping, using insulating window film, hanging insulated curtains or blinds, and adding draft stoppers or door sweeps, you can ensure maximum energy efficiency. Another important consequence of having an energy efficient home, however, is that it’ll save you money. The less heat escapes from your property, the less energy you’ll need to spend generating heat to replace it, and the lower your energy bills will be. Most people refer to this strategy as old school, but many of us will agree that it is still effective. Plastic insulation uses shrink-wrap that shrinks when exposed to heat, making it easy to install yet messy.

These DIY tips should help to solve the problem of air leaks around your glass doors. Of course, if your door has reached the end of its lifespan and requires replacement, it will save you time and frustration to price out a replacement door. If you notice that your sliding glass door is off-centre, or not trapping heat, then it may be time for a replacement. When looking for a new door, you’ll want to find one that has double glass panes, and seals heat inside during the winter. While this may seem like a large investment, it can save you loads on your energy bills this winter. Final thoughts Home Value: Insulated outdoor doors can also make your home worth more. Potential buyers often consider energy-efficient features when evaluating a property, so having well-insulated doors can be a selling point.Cost Savings: By reducing energy consumption and increasing the energy efficiency of your home, insulated patio doors can lead to cost savings over time. Because the insulation is better, you’ll spend less on heating and cooling bills. French Doors: Although still often thought of as the reserve of traditional-style homes, French doors are actually available in plenty of designs (and materials, such as aluminium) that will also sit quite happily within a contemporary home. Preparing your sliding glass door for winter is essential to ensure you keep your home energy efficient in the winter, and keep your sliding door in great shape so that it lasts for years to come. By following the steps in the section below, you’ll also ensure that cold air stays outside and your home remains a comfortable place to relax during the winter months.