Insulated patio doors
Also called: energy-efficient patio doors, double-pane patio doors
Quick answer: an insulated patio door slows the heat that passes through its glass and frame. It pairs sealed double- or triple-pane glass with a frame that has a thermal break and tight seals. In Texas, that mostly means less summer heat coming in.
- Outside pane, the glass that faces the sun
- Low-E coating, most often on the inner face of the outside pane
- Spacer, a hollow strip with drying beads that holds the panes apart
- Edge seal, keeps the gas in and damp air out
- Thermal break, a plastic strip that splits the metal frame in two
How to check the door you have
Four checks, from the glass to the frame. The answers tell you whether to repair or replace.
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Count the panesLook at the glass edge: double pane shows a spacer strip between two sheets.
Safe to do yourself
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Look for fog between the panesHaze you cannot wipe off from either side means the seal has failed.
Safe to do yourself
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Feel for drafts at the edgesHold a tissue near the closed edges. If it moves, the weatherstripping is worn.
Safe to do yourself
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Decide what to replaceFogged glass needs a new glass unit; a hot, drafty frame may need a new door.
Call a pro
Fix it yourself or call a pro
- Safe yourselfReplace worn weatherstripping and keep the track clean so the panel closes tight against its seals.
- Take careSwapping a glass unit means taking the panel out. Double-pane glass is heavy: two people at least, or call a pro.
- Call a proFogged glass units, a new insulated door, or a frame that will not seal.
More on this: can you just replace the glass in a sliding door?
Single, double or triple pane
Heavier glass needs rollers made for the weight.
Door letting the heat in?
Select Sliding Doors handles sliding door installation, including energy-efficient glass, across Dallas-Fort Worth. Mon to Sat, 7am to 10pm.
Questions people ask
Why is there fog between the panes of my patio door?
The edge seal has failed and damp air has got into the gap. You cannot wipe it off from either side. The fix is a new glass unit made to size.
Is argon gas worth having?
Argon insulates better than air and is common in double-pane doors. It leaks out very slowly, and the door still works as a double-pane unit if some is lost.
Why is my new door wet on the outside?
On cool, humid mornings, dew can form on the outside of good insulated glass. Little heat from the house reaches the outer pane, so it stays cold. That is normal. See condensation management.
Related terms
Photo: own media library. Diagram: Select Sliding Doors. Ratings: National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC).
