Nowadays, energy efficiency is extremely important for most homeowners. After all, it helps save a significant amount of energy, which is reflected in monthly energy bills. Energy efficiency can be accomplished in various ways, including through your roof, siding and windows, but it might surprise some to know that your patio doors can also contribute to your home’s energy efficiency.

1. R-Value – One of the important factors that can help make your home energy-efficient is the R-value, which indicates how well your patio door prevents heat from escaping your home. The values for patio doors range from R-5 to R-6, and the higher this number is, the better it is at insulating.

2. Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) – The SHGC of your door, on the other hand, is a measuring factor that determines how well your hinged French doors prevent solar heat gain. Usually, it ranges from 0.25 to 0.80 on a 0 to 1 scale. Unlike the R-value, however, the lower this number is, the better.

3. U-Factor – A door’s U-factor measures the rate of heat transfer and is usually scored between 0.25 to 1.25. Like the SHGC, the lower the number of the door’s U-factor, the better it insulates so make sure to keep an eye out for your potential door’s U-factor.

4. Glazing Level – The glazing level of your patio door refers to how much glass it has in its design. Sliding glass doors and French doors are often completely composed of glass so their glazing levels can greatly affect their level of energy efficiency. Typically, however, double-pane construction with low-emissivity glass results in energy-efficient patio doors.

Need to have a new sliding glass door installed on your home? Turn to Renewal by Andersen® of San Diego. When it comes to door and window replacement services, we are the number one experts to approach, and we won’t let you down! Give us a call at (858) 935-8451, or fill out our contact form to get a free price quote. We serve homeowners in San Diego and other nearby areas.