What Are the Best Patio Doors for Energy Efficiency?

The patio door is a desirable home feature, but it can be a liability in terms of energy efficiency. Despite costing more than contractor-grade glazed products, climate or energy-saving patio doors should be the standard in new builds, renovations and remodeling projects. In regions like the Midwest, where summers are hot and winters are frigid, homebuilding and home improvement professionals should incorporate these products more into their projects to offer more value to customers.

Articulating the merits of Midwest climate doors can help homeowners realize their immense value over the long term — even though these products may initially cost more than builder-grade units.

Understanding Energy-Efficient Patio Doors

The criteria for assessing the energy efficiency of glazed doors are slightly different from those for windows. Exterior doors have lower glass-to-frame ratios, inflating the role of side jams, head jam and threshold when determining a unit’s thermal performance. By definition, the impact of the frame’s construction and material decreases as the amount of surface area the glass covers increases.

Regardless of the glass-to-frame ratio, the door features that matter the most are pane count, seal tightness and insulative framing. Double glazing is enough to meet Energy Star’s minimum requirements in all climate zones. However, triple glazing isn’t necessarily overkill. Going above and beyond building standard practices helps homes be more sustainable and climate-resilient.

In addition to using multiple layers of glass, low-e coatings, insulating gases and spacer designs contribute to the high performance of energy-efficient doors. Doors whose specifications closely match the dimensions of their corresponding rough openings need less material to become airtight. Quality weather stripping helps keep the unit draft-free.

The framing system — especially when layered with a veneer and a core — should have excellent insulating properties. They should consist of minimal thermal bridges and be less susceptible to shrinking and expanding due to extreme temperature swings.

Evaluating Midwest Climate Doors

Consider these factors when searching for and comparing patio doors considered energy-efficient in the Midwest.

• Energy Star certification: Determine whether the product has been certified by Energy Star to meet its minimum requirements for insulating properties located in the Northern and North-Central climate zones.
• Energy performance ratings: Read the door’s NFRC ratings to know its specific U-factor and SHGC — and air leakage, visible transmittance and condensation resistance, if available — to learn more about its thermal performance.
• Configurability: Find out which door features you can reconfigure to achieve your desired energy efficiency.
• Locking mechanism: Understand how a product’s locking system works to see how it improves airtightness.
• Construction: Verify whether a patio door is custom-built, prehung, preassembled or unassembled, as its fabrication method contributes to its suitability for the intended wall opening.
• Installation: Find out who’s qualified to install a door on-site to avoid nullifying its warranty.
• Pricing: Request an estimate based on your desired features and specifications, and explore available financing options.
• Vendor’s service areas: Note whether the door’s source operates in the parts of the Midwest you serve. 

What Are the Best Patio Doors for Energy Efficiency?

These three are the Midwest’s most trusted climate door providers.

1. Best Overall Patio Doors for Energy Efficiency: Renewal by Andersen

Renewal by Andersen is the window and patio door replacement arm of the Andersen Corporation. Its Energy Star- and SCS Indoor Advantage Gold-certified products are ideal for homebuilders, renovators and remodelers whose customers want to buy energy-efficient exterior doors and are willing to involve a credentialed third-party installer.

Renewal by Andersen patio doors are available in hinged and sliding models, featuring different frames, including the patented Fibrex^® material. Choose from various glass types, interior and exterior colors, hardware styles and finishes, and grille patterns. 

2. Best for Fast Installation: Champion Windows and Home Exteriors

Champion has been serving Midwesterners since 1953. This turnkey service provider offers in-home consultations and has showroom locations about 60 miles from the region’s major markets.

This company’s Energy Star-certified patio doors have fusion-welded vinyl frames, low-e glass, argon gas, warm-edge spacers and heavy-duty weather stripping. They’re also available in two- to four-panel configurations. Champion accepts projects year-round and can finish installation in a single day.

3. Best Customization: Midwest Siding & Windows

Midwest Siding & Windows is the leading installer of Polaris^®’s ThermalWeld Select gliding patio door system in Central Illinois. This product has fusion-welded vinyl frames, triple glazing, a sloped aluminum-reinforced sill, stainless steel roller tracks, zinc-plated tandem rollers, a foot-operated deadbolt and a screen handle with a mortise lock.

This energy-efficient door is available in various exterior colors and interior woodgrain laminate options, handle sets, decorative glass and grille styles. Its plated handle sets with an exterior key lock and foam-filled extrusions are optional upgrades.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the answers to the most common questions about energy-efficient patio door systems.

How Much Can Energy-Efficient Patio Doors Save on Heating Bills?

Energy Star estimates that installing patio doors along with windows and skylights that meet its requirements can reduce heating and cooling costs by an average of up to 13% annually. The energy savings can vary by climate zone, but the reduction in utility bills is more noticeable when replacing units with a clear single pane than those with two clear panes.

What Is the Most Energy-Efficient Type of Patio Door?

The most efficient type of patio door has a lower glass-to-frame ratio, insulated glazing and an airtight seal.

What Are the Best Patio Doors for Extreme Temperature Climates?

The best patio doors for climates with extreme temperatures are those framed with a material less subject to thermal expansion and contraction. Fiberglass, high-quality vinyl, wood and composites like Fibrex are terrific options. The door’s ability to reflect and retain heat depends on its low-e glass and the surfaces that have the coatings.

What Makes Fibrex Material Energy-Efficient for Patio Doors?

Fibrex material consists of wood fiber filled and encased with proprietary polymer, allowing it to insulate and stay strong and stiff like lumber. It’s warranted not to crack, pit, corrode, rot, peel or chip.

How Do Sliding vs. Hinged Patio Doors Compare for Energy Efficiency?

Hinged doors are traditionally more airtight than their sliding counterparts. However, modern sliding door systems are no longer inherently drafty, unlike their older iterations, due to several design innovations.

How Important Is Installation for Patio Door Energy Performance?

Proper installation is crucial for achieving optimal energy efficiency in patio doors. It can impact the unit’s airtightness and structural integrity. Slapdash work can scrape some low-e coatings applied to the glass exterior, dislodge the panes and cause the insulating gas to leak, or lead to poorly sealed gaps.

What Warranty Should You Look for in Energy-Efficient Patio Doors?

Look for warranty protection against manufacturing defects and installation errors. Warranty transferability adds more value to the property, allowing the next owner to file repair or replacement claims, or request reimbursement or a refund. Transferable warranties with extensive coverage for extended periods make an effective bargaining chip in price negotiations when selling a house.

How Do You Choose Energy-Efficient Patio Doors for the Midwest?

The simplest way to choose energy-saving patio doors optimized for the Midwest is to look for products that are Energy Star certified in the Northern, North-Central or all climate zones. The Energy Star label features a United States map and highlights the regions where a patio door works best.

Source the Most Energy-Efficient Midwest Climate Doors for Your Customers

Image: Renewal by Andersen

Partnering with an energy-saving patio door installer adds a new dimension to your business. Outsourcing this job to a qualified party enables you to construct more sustainable Midwest homes and help your customers lower their heating and cooling costs.

*Please note that this list includes sponsored content. Some of the companies, products, or services featured have entered into commercial agreements for placement. Sponsored placements do not necessarily reflect an endorsement and should be considered alongside other options in the marketplace.