4 Panel vinyl patio doors

by Jennifer

Question:

I was so happy to come across your website while researching on patio doors. We have an old 4 panel aluminum (at least i think it's aluminum, it's not vinyl) door located in our kitchen that leads to the backyard.

My husband and i have been looking into replace the door along with our kitchen window. I like our patio door mainly because it has two sliding doors, one being on the outside to keep the snow from falling into the kitchen whenever we open it.

We can also simply remove the other 2 "fixed" panels whenever we have a big move (this is important to us because the previous owner installed a bay window in the front; nice window but it prevents our front door from opening completely since it open onto it).

We're looking into replacing the door and the window because we want to install something more energy efficient. Also because one of the roller in the screen door has been broken for awhile and my husband find replacing the screen material a real hassel (especially difficult to get around the handle)- now it needs replacing again.

However, I have only been able to find 2 panel vinyl patio doors that I do not really care for simply because it's only two panels. The other problem is the other panel being fixed and we need access to a large entrance way for any big move. What would you recommend? Should we just replace our screen door?

Are aluminum door any more or less energy efficient? Are vinyl the way to go now?

Answer:
Hi Jennifer, Vinyl patio doors can be custom made so that you have 2 sliding panels that meet in the middle to give you a wide entrance way to move furniture through.

It just depends on finding the right manufacturer who will offer the door configuration you need.

You can also use aluminum patio doors, modern designs use much better thermal breaks and weatherstripping and dont conduct the cold like they used to. Aluminum doors are also more secure than vinyl doors.