A View to the Lawn: Choosing the Perfect Back Door

Everyone wants the perfect doors to look out over their deck, patio, or lawn, but it can be a difficult decision to make in terms of style. Do you go with French doors for an elegant entrance, sliding doors to enjoy the view, or regular old doors to maintain your privacy?

There are several important aspects to consider when looking for a new external door: ease of operation, the space it will take up, durability, and security. The type of door will impact whether it is easy to use, if it limits your space, and how secure it is, while the material you choose will have far more of an impact in terms of the durability. While it does come down to what you prefer aesthetically, external sliding doors can be an excellent option that allow you to let in the light, while also offering you security at the same time.

Why Sliding Doors?

As mentioned previously, there are certain things you want to look for in an external door. Sliding doors consist of the following features:

• Easy to use – You simply slide the doors back and forth on the track and can lock the door with a simple switch.
• Secure – Sliding doors are designed to be secure. They cannot be simply lifted off their tracks, and while sliding doors may have glass windows, depending on the type of material you choose, they are not easily broken.
• Space – Due to the fact that sliding doors operate on a track and not a hinge like regular doors, there is no need to worry about space. Hinge doors tend to limit the area where furniture can be placed, while there is no limit with sliding doors.
• Durability – Sliding doors can be incredibly durable depending on the materials chosen and can outlast hinge doors by quite some time if they are made with quality materials and installed properly.
• Privacy – While privacy is not a huge issue for everyone, the idea of a sliding door can be a bit daunting. Remember though, you always have the option to add drapes or blinds or shades. Some newer shades allow for full privacy during daylight hours, so you can enjoy the view, but neighbours or passers-by can’t see inside.

Materials

There are a variety of materials sliding doors can be made with. While you might be fond of a certain material, it is always important to consult with a professional before buying. Professional installers can give you insight into what materials work best for your particular climate, as well as your individual home.

If you are interested in wood, engineered timber might be right for you. The wood itself is real, but it is cut into thin strips and laminated together to create a much more solid, wear-proof material. It can be painted or stained to your liking. Aluminium is sleek, durable, and easy to maintain. Much like wood, it can be used for modern looks, but can be an interesting contrast piece in more traditional homes. For an option that combines both the aesthetic of wood and the durability of aluminium, Alu-clad might be the right option for you.