If you’re tired of your boring old-fashioned patio doors or you’re in the process of building a new home and want to create a more open, modern space, then you can’t go wrong by installing a new set of patio doors. Not only will it allow you to enjoy your own space more but the home improvement project can also increase the value of your property!

Due to recent advancements in exterior door technology, there are a number of options that homeowners will be able to choose from when shopping for new patio doors. In today’s post, we’re going to go over the best patio door systems for 2021, so you’ll be able to make a more informed buying decision.

Isn’t it time that you modernized your living space?

Best Patio Doors For 2021

When it comes to patio doors, there are generally a few key options that you’ll be able to choose from, including:

• Folding doors.
• Sliding doors.
• French doors.
• Large swinging doors.

No matter what door you choose, you can buy with confidence knowing that all modern doors utilize energy-efficient low-emissivity glass and thermal breaking technology to help your home maintain a steady temperature while the doors aren’t in use and opened.

That being said, choosing between different door systems is more of a matter of personal taste and preference. In fact, many door manufacturers (such as La Cantina, Nanawall, AG Millworks, and others) offer multiple types of door systems to cater to their customer’s needs.

No matter which type of patio doors that you choose from, they all have their own perspective benefits and drawbacks. So, to help you narrow down which type of door system is best for you, we’ve created a handy guide outlining the functionality as well as the pros and cons of the four most popular patio door systems on the market.

1) Folding Doors For Patios

If you’ve read through some of the other posts on our site, then you’ve probably realized that we specialize in folding door systems. So, we’ll start there.

Otherwise known as multi-fold or bi-fold doors, these door systems feature a minimum of 3 panels that are aligned along a track which the panels can roll along. Each panel is connected to its neighboring panel with a hinge and utilizes a locking pin mechanism to connect the other side of the door panel to the track.

When the system is closed, it will pretty much look like a glass wall with doorframe supports. Each folding door system also features a regular swinging door for everyday entry and exit, so you don’t have to open the entire system every time you want to go out on your patio.

When you do want to take advantage of the fresh air, though, you can easily open up all of the door panels and push them to the side, stacking them accordion-style along the far edge. This effectively opens up 95% of the doorway creating an open-air experience.

Pros:

• Swinging door for easy entrance.
• You have the ability to create extra-wide folding door systems that provide a panoramic view.
• Open up your entire doorway to fresh air.
• Get tons of natural lighting.

Cons:

• You’ll need to make sure that the door’s rolling track stays clean.

2) Multi-Slide Doors For Patios

The second-most popular type of patio door system is probably a multi-slide patio door. These are somewhat similar to those old-fashioned sliding glass doors that you may have grown up with; however, they’re a lot more advanced.

Like old-school sliding doors, they feature a track that the door panels slide along. However, unlike older systems, today’s modern multi-slide doors may feature several large panels that roll along parallel tracks. This allows homeowners to create an extra-wide set of panoramic sliding doors that can span up to 50-feet wide!

Multi-slide doors also give you the ability to completely remove the door panels for sight. If you select sliding patio doors with a pocketed door slot, you’ll be able to push all of the panels into a small pocket built into the side of the wall, creating a 100% open doorway!

Pros:

• You’ll have the ability to create extra-wide doorways.
• You can push all of the door panels into a pocket in the wall (with pocketed systems).
• Large sliding doors glide effortlessly along their tracks.

Cons:

• There’s no easy-open swinging door to make entry and exits easier.

3) French Doors For Patio

French doors are an older style of patio door that features a two-door system where each door swings outward, latching in the middle. While you won’t be able to create large panoramic systems with French doors, they are a very simple, hassle-free option.

Generally speaking, French doors can be installed in existing patio doorways, which means that they may be considerably cheaper to install than larger folding or sliding door systems.

Pros:

• Simple and easy to install.
• Hassle-free entry and exit.
• Relatively low-cost compared to larger door systems.

Cons:

• You won’t get the same panoramic views provided by folding or sliding doorways.

4) Large Swinging Doors For Patio

Today’s extra-large swinging doors feature large swinging glass panels that are supported by wood, aluminum, or PVC/vinyl frames. They typically feature heavy-duty hinges that are installed into the wall and an extra-large swinging door panel that may be as large as a set of French doors or a 3-panel folding door system.

Overall, these aren’t as practical as other door systems, as the door panel can’t be folded or slid to the side to remove it from view. For this reason, they aren’t quite as common to see installed in new homes.

Pros:

• You can use large swinging doors to create extra-wide panoramic doorways.

Cons:

• They aren’t very practical and make everyday entry/exiting a bit of a pain.
• The door panel can’t be slid or folded to the side, which obstructs your view.

Are Large Patio Door Systems Energy-Efficient?

One of the first concerns that shoppers have when they see these extra-large glass patio doors is that they’re going to have to budget for a higher electric bill. Traditionally glass was never viewed as an efficient material, as air can easily transfer from one side to the other.

However, almost all of today’s modern patio doorways are engineered using high-tech low-emissivity glass that prevents thermal transfer from one side to the other. The result is a glass door system that’s just as energy-efficient as the solid wood doors of the past!

What’s The Cheapest Type Of Patio Door?

If you’re looking to save money and want to install a patio door that won’t cost you a lot of money, then we’d have to say that French doors are going to be your cheapest option. After that, a close second would be to install a small 3-panel bi-fold door system.

Will New Patio Doors Increase My Home’s Value?

Yes! As long as you invest in a set of high-quality patio doors and have them professionally installed, then they can significantly increase the value of your home.

Conclusion

Hopefully, this post has been able to give you some context and helped you decide which type of patio door is the best choice for your home improvement project. If you’re looking for panoramic views, then you can’t go wrong with a large multi-slide or patio folding door system. On the other hand, if you’re looking for something cheap yet modern, then French doors are a close third. Ultimately, though, the choice is yours!