Month: December 2020

Nothing lasts forever, not even your windows and doors. That’s one of the many reasons why the deck and patio construction industry has grown significantly over the last five years, ultimately hitting a revenue of $783 million in 2019. While there are many factors that go into creating decks and patios, some of the most significant components include the windows and patio doors that really connect the home to that outdoor space. But of course, like any component that’s constantly exposed to the elements, eventually these doors and windows do need to be replaced.

Doors, in particular, should be replaced on a regular basis, as they’re not only key to maintaining an energy-efficient home, but also vital to the security of houses. But determining when replacement doors are needed can be difficult. We often take our doors for granted and don’t take much notice of the damage that they accrue over time. With that in mind, let’s explore some of the main signs that your doors may need to be replaced.

1. You’re Experiencing Drafts

One of the main indicators that you need to start shopping for replacement doors is that you’re starting to feel a draft through the door. Not only does this mean that heat and cool air is escaping through the door, ultimately affect its energy efficiency; it’s also indicative of potential cracks and issues with the door’s sealing ability.

Keep an eye on your bills as you evaluate your door. If you’re paying more each month than you once did, combined with a draft, you should probably start considering different replacement doors. You may even want to opt for a door made out of different materials next time, in order to elevate its energy efficiency.

2. The Door Has Sustained Significant Damage

Obviously, you need to replace a door that has sustained significant damage, whether it’s been vandalized or damaged due to a weather event. You shouldn’t bother trying to repair a door that has sustained this level of damage. You’ll most likely be investing in a product that you need to replace down the road anyway.

Rather, you should go ahead and replace the door, ideally with a door that is stronger and less prone to damage. If your wood door sustained damage during a hurricane, for example, you may want to opt for a steel door the next time around.

3. It’s Experienced Insect Damage

Wood doors are particularly prone to insect damage, due to the fact that termites and other burrowing pests are more able to attack wood than other materials. While you could work on restoring certain parts of your home that have suffered termite damage, it’s a good idea to replace a door outright. It would likely cost more to restore the door than it’s worth.

Again, when shopping for replacement doors you should instead look at fiberglass and steel doors. These are much less likely to fall prey to insect damage.

4. The Door Shows Signs Of Warping And Peeling

Once your door has started to show signs of warping, peeling, and cracking you should begin your hunt for a replacement as quickly as possible. Age and ongoing damage tend to cause these types of issues over time, especially in the case of wood doors.

Wood doors tend to soak in moisture, which causes them to expand and warp over the years. By the time the door has started to show these kinds of signs, it’s usually an indication that it has already weakened to the point that it needs to be replaced.

5. The Door Is Sticking

If your door is having issues with opening and closing, this is probably an indication that it needs to be replaced. This can be a sign that the hinges have become rusted or damaged in some way, and over time the door itself will likely become more damaged as you try to open and close it.

While it’s never fun to invest in replacement doors, it’s something that most homeowners will likely need to do at one point or another. Therefore, it’s advisable that you truly invest, paying more now for a higher quality door that will last for the long term.

Adding a patio to your home is a great idea. Not only does it expand your living space, but it also allows you to add value to your home. While a house without a patio is all well and good, a house with a patio can really differentiate itself on the market and appeal to a broader range of buyers. If you do end up selling your home in the future, your patio could very well be what makes the difference between a buyer choosing your home or an alternate option.

At the same time, you should strongly consider every component of your patio before investing in it. In order to get a proper return on your investment, you should consider your different options, like Milgard patio doors and energy efficient vinyl door frames. It’s important for your patio to not only be appealing, but also capable of offering a proper payoff. With that in mind, let’s look into what you should consider as you build your patio.

1. The Style

Not every patio is going to be identical to those that come before it. You have a lot of different materials to choose from as you plan the “floor” of your patio. While some choose simple concrete, others prefer materials like stones and mosaic pieces as they build their patios. Furthermore, this will be accented by the patio doors that you choose, whether they’re Milgard patio doors or not. For example, sliding patio doors can open up the space further and really connect your home to the patio. French doors can create a sense of elegance and may better mesh with certain architectural styles. Keep this in mind as you plan out your patio.

2. The Materials

Different materials are obviously going to yield different results. While it’s important that you think over your patio furniture and the benefits of different types of base materials for your patio, you shouldn’t forget what your patio doors are made up of. This is because patio doors that are created with energy inefficient materials actually allow heat to escape the home. This will result in your HVAC system working harder to regulate the home’s temperature, ultimately resulting in you spending more on energy than you really should. Materials like vinyl and metal often create more insulation. Fortunately, there are energy efficient options in terms of Milgard patio doors, and you don’t have to stick with inefficient options just because you want a certain look.

3. Lasting Power

The last thing you want is to have to replace elements of your patio prematurely. Keep this in mind as you invest in certain materials. But at the same time, you should remember that no matter what you invest in you’ll need to have the different elements of your patio serviced on a regular basis. With regular service, patio doors can last up to 30 years. But if you invest in patio doors and expect them to last without maintenance, you’ll probably end up replacing them sooner than you may have expected.

4. Broad Appeal

Though you may want to invest in a patio that purely caters to your own tastes, you should consider what appeals more broadly to people on a wide scale. You never know when you may end up selling your home, after all. Therefore, a patio that has been created with brightly colored brick or stone may not appeal to as many people as more neutral tones may. At the same time, you should consider this when choosing your patio doors as well. This is is why Milgard patio doors are so often preferred.

5. Weather

How rainy are the conditions where you live? Is the ground prone to sinking? Consider this as you invest in a patio. For example, if the ground around you is prone to sinking you probably shouldn’t have a patio base that is flat to the ground. Furthermore, if the area experiences high winds frequently you should choose doors that can withstand those winds with a good seal.

There is much for you to think about as you build a patio. Consider not only what appeals to you, but what lasts and increases your home’s energy efficiency and value.