Sliding Patio Doors
Sliding patio doors provide a wide view to the outdoors while requiring very little interior or exterior space to operate. Instead of swinging into the room or onto a patio, the operating panel moves horizontally along the door frame.
For homeowners replacing an existing patio door or considering a larger opening to a deck, patio, or backyard, Valdicass provides Pella® sliding patio doors with professional installation throughout Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.
Family-owned and serving Chicagoland since 1997, Valdicass is a Pella Platinum Elite Certified Contractor with experience installing patio doors as straightforward replacements and as part of more extensive exterior remodeling projects.
Why Choose a Sliding Patio Door?
The biggest practical difference between a sliding and hinged patio door is how it operates.
A sliding patio door doesn’t require swing space. This can make it particularly useful where furniture, a dining area, deck, patio, or other feature makes the space around the doorway important.
Sliding patio doors can also provide substantial glass area, helping connect interior spaces visually with the outdoors.
Depending on the product and configuration, homeowners may choose sliding patio doors for:
- Large areas of glass
- Backyard and patio views
- Natural light
- Space-saving operation
- Easy access between indoor and outdoor spaces
- Contemporary or traditional designs
- Multi-panel configurations
- Replacement of older sliding doors
The appropriate configuration depends on the opening, room, exterior space, and selected Pella product.
Pella Sliding Patio Doors
Valdicass specializes in Pella windows and patio doors, allowing homeowners to coordinate new doors with replacement windows when both are part of the project.
Depending on the Pella product and configuration, sliding patio doors can offer different materials, colors, interior finishes, hardware, glass packages, grille patterns, screens, and panel arrangements.
That flexibility is particularly useful when the patio door is a major architectural feature of the room.
For projects involving both windows and patio doors, products can also be selected with the overall appearance of the home in mind rather than treating each opening separately.
Two-Panel & Multi-Panel Configurations
A traditional sliding patio door commonly uses two panels, with one operating panel sliding alongside a fixed panel.
But that’s not the only possibility.
Depending on the Pella product, opening, and project requirements, larger configurations can use additional panels to create a broader connection between the interior and exterior.
Larger patio-door projects require careful planning. The size and condition of the existing opening, structural requirements, interior and exterior finishes, flooring, electrical components, and surrounding wall construction can all affect the scope of work.
Valdicass can evaluate those conditions before the final door configuration is selected.
Replacing an Existing Sliding Patio Door
If you’re replacing an older patio door with another door of approximately the same size and configuration, the project may be relatively straightforward.
However, the existing conditions still matter.
The opening, sill area, surrounding framing, exterior materials, interior finishes, and other conditions should be evaluated before the replacement door is ordered.
Accurate measurements are particularly important because patio doors are large units that need to operate, close, lock, and seal properly after installation.
Creating a Larger Patio Door Opening
Some homeowners want more than a direct replacement.
A project might involve replacing a smaller door with a larger patio-door system or changing an existing window-and-door arrangement to create a broader opening.
These projects can involve additional construction beyond the patio door itself.
Depending on the home and proposed design, work can include opening modifications, framing, structural considerations, interior and exterior finishing, relocation of electrical components, or coordination with other construction.
Valdicass can evaluate this additional work as part of the overall project rather than treating the patio door as an isolated product.
Glass & Energy Performance
Because patio doors contain a substantial amount of glass, glass selection is an important part of the project.
Depending on the selected Pella product and configuration, homeowners can compare insulating glass, Low-E coatings, and other available glass options.
Performance specifications such as U-factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) can also help when comparing configurations.
Overall performance depends on the complete door system—including the glass, frame, weatherstripping, operating panels, and installation.
Patio Door Screens
A screen can provide ventilation while keeping insects out when the patio door is open.
Screen designs and availability vary by Pella patio-door product and configuration, so consider the screen when selecting the door rather than treating it as an afterthought.
Our team can review the available options for the specific Pella patio door you’re considering.
Hardware, Colors & Design Details
Patio-door design isn’t limited to the glass and frame.
Depending on the selected product, homeowners may be able to choose among different:
- Interior and exterior finishes
- Hardware styles
- Hardware finishes
- Grille patterns
- Glass packages
- Screens
- Panel configurations
For wood patio-door products, interior finishes can also play an important role when coordinating the new door with flooring, cabinetry, trim, and other interior features.
Sliding vs. Hinged Patio Doors
Sliding and hinged patio doors can both provide access to outdoor living areas, but they create different appearances and use space differently.
Sliding patio doors operate horizontally and don’t require swing space. They can be particularly useful where maximizing glass area or preserving usable floor and patio space is important.
Hinged patio doors, often called French patio doors, create a more traditional operating style and can be a strong architectural choice for certain homes.
Neither style is automatically better. The right choice depends on the opening, available space, architecture, desired appearance, and how the doorway will be used.
Professional Pella Patio Door Installation
A quality patio door depends on more than the product itself.
Depending on the project, installation can involve removal of the existing unit, preparation of the opening, positioning and securing the new door, insulation, sealing, adjustment, and applicable interior and exterior finishing.
Projects involving a larger or modified opening can require considerably more construction.
As a Pella Platinum Elite Certified Contractor, Valdicass specializes in professionally installing Pella windows and patio doors.
Patio Doors as Part of a Larger Renovation
A patio-door project can also be coordinated with other home improvements.
Valdicass installs Pella replacement windows, ProVia entry doors, James Hardie siding, and custom exterior improvements.
If you’re replacing windows, siding, or other exterior components at the same time, planning them together can help coordinate colors, trim, materials, and finishing details.
Serving Chicago & the Western Suburbs
From our Brookfield location, Valdicass installs Pella patio doors throughout Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, including La Grange, Western Springs, Hinsdale, Oak Park, Riverside, River Forest, Brookfield, Downers Grove, Elmhurst, Naperville, Burr Ridge, and surrounding communities.
Our team can evaluate an existing patio-door opening or discuss a larger project with a different configuration or a wider opening.
Request a Sliding Patio Door Estimate
If you’re considering a new sliding patio door, Valdicass can help you compare Pella products, configurations, glass, hardware, finishes, screens, and installation requirements for your home.
Call Valdicass at 708-255-5231 to discuss your patio-door project.
