Everything You Need To Know About
Sliding Glass Door Energy Efficiency
Sliding glass doors look stunning, but are they one of the eco-friendly door choices? Older doors could be letting a lot of heat escape from your home. That’s why we put together this helpful guide to energy-saving sliding doors in Raleigh, NC.
Learn about the different frame types and glazing options and how they can affect the sliding door thermal performance of your Raleigh home.
Thompson Creek is here to help you find the most efficient patio door options to suit your Raleigh home’s needs.
Our insulated sliding glass doors are part of a sustainable home.
Finding Energy-Efficient Sliding Glass Doors In Raleigh, NC
There are a few factors that impact the energy efficiency of your patio doors, including the following
- The frame material used
- Whether the door is double- or triple-paned
- Gas filling used in between the glass panes
- Glass coatings
- Your door style
So, it’s not a simple question of “Are sliding glass doors energy-efficient in Raleigh, NC?” because the insulating properties of different doors vary.
Choose the right type of door, and you can enjoy a bright and airy room without worrying about wasting energy.
Sliding glass doors that are ENERGY STAR certified are more energy efficient than older doors with low-quality frames or single panes, and they have been shown to lower your energy bills.
Heat transfer rates are described using a figure known as the U-value, with higher U-values meaning poorer energy efficiency.
A single pane of uncoated glass has a U-value that is more than 4x that of uncoated double glazing with argon gas filling.
What To Look For In Your Sliding Glass Doors
When you’re shopping for energy-efficient sliding glass doors, you should consider the material of the frame and the glazing of the door itself. Also, consider whether you really want sliding glass doors or if swinging French doors would suit your home’s architectural style.
Sliding doors certainly have a lot of benefits – they don’t take up a lot of space, are easy to open and close, and let in lots of natural light. But they do require careful maintenance.
With proper care, a modern sliding glass door can last up to 30 years. That means keeping the panes clean and taking care of the tracks and runners, as well as fitting screens to protect the doors during the colder winter months and removing those screens in the spring.
A good energy-efficient glass door frame design
- Has a plastic thermal break inside the frame
- Is compatible with weather stripping
- Has foam insulation in the stiles, frame, and rails
In addition, look for a door with
- Double glazing
- Argon or krypton gas filling
- A low-E window coating
Windows with argon or krypton gas fillings have very low thermal conductivity, making them a good choice for sliding glass doors.
Low-E coatings can come in two different forms: hard coatings or soft coatings. Hard coatings are made using a fine layer of metallic partings on the outer surface of the gas, while soft coatings are applied in between the two panes of the window.
Both varieties of low-E coatings offer significant energy-efficiency improvements, but soft coatings typically offer the greatest benefits.
Choose Thompson Creek For Stunning Sliding Doors
Considering a renovation for your Raleigh home? Think about enhancing your patio doors with Thompson Creek’s selection of sliding doors. Designed with a fusion-welded frame and multi-chambered construction, our doors effectively prevent drafts and heat loss, ensuring warmth during winter and a refreshing breeze in summer.
Reach out to us for a free, no-obligation estimate on patio doors, roofing, siding, or window installation.
Contact us today to get a free, no-obligation estimate for patio doors, roofing, siding, or window installation, or give us a call at (919) 374–3066.