When it comes to patio doors, you don’t have to pick between great looks and strong energy performance. Patio door manufacturers like Andersen, Pella, and Anlin design all their doors to deliver both, so you can find an option that suits your home’s style and provides exceptional function, comfort, and efficiency.

Sliding Doors Are Still the Go-To Patio Door Option

Sliding doors are the most common patio doors in the Sunbelt, including in DFW homes, for a variety of reasons. Homes built since the 1970s often have sliding patio doors by default because they save space, provide a lot of natural light, seal tighter than hinged doors, and are easier to weatherproof.

The overlapping panels and streamlined frames provide a naturally tight seal, which helps reduce drafts and energy loss. Most sliding doors on the market today feature insulated frames, multiple panes of glass, and robust weatherstripping, all of which allow modern sliding doors to dramatically outperform older models.

Today’s sliding doors come with low-emissivity (Low-E) coatings and inert gas fills between the panes to block heat transfer, keeping your cooled air indoors and protecting your interiors from damaging UV rays.

Many sliding patio doors easily meet or exceed ENERGY STAR standards for our region, helping you save money and stay comfortable all year long.

How Modern Efficiency Technology Is Making Hinged Patio Doors Better

French doors have long been admired for their classic beauty and wide, welcoming openings. Traditionally, though, they were known as the less efficient option because every moving part, seam, and gap between doors offered a path for air and moisture to get in.

Today’s high-performance French patio doors are a huge leap forward from the stock doors originally installed in older homes.

Advanced Weatherstripping and Insulated Glass

Modern French doors come equipped with layers of high-quality weatherstripping where the doors meet each other and the frame. These seals compress tightly when the doors are closed, blocking out drafts and dust.

Many are designed with multi-pane, insulated glass (just like the best sliding doors), with inert gas between the panes to dramatically reduce heat transfer and condensation. Even French doors with complex grid patterns, like Colonial or Prairie styles, can be built with insulated, multi-pane glass units and inert gas fills, so you get the classic look without sacrificing energy efficiency.

Reinforced Frames and Sills

Frame design has evolved too. Modern French door frames and sills are often manufactured using composite, fiberglass, or high-grade vinyl. These materials resist warping, shrinking, and heat transfer far better than old-school wood. The extra rigidity also allows doors to stay square and tight for years, maintaining that critical weather-tight seal.

Multi-Point Locking Systems

A single old-fashioned lock only pulls the doors tight at the handle. Modern multi-point locking systems, by contrast, engage multiple locking bolts at several points along the door edge (top, middle, and bottom) every time you turn the handle or key. This pulls the entire door slab snugly against the frame—creating a consistent, firm seal that greatly reduces the chance for air leaks or rattling. In addition to making your home more secure, this system is one of the best ways to boost energy efficiency in French doors.

Threshold and Sill Upgrades

Even the threshold (the bottom part you step over) has been improved. Many modern hinged doors include a raised or thermally broken sill that creates a tight barrier against water and heat, while still allowing the doors to swing freely.

Replacement Patio Doors in DFW That Match Your Home’s Style and Efficiency Needs

Your patio door should fit your home in more ways than one. Sliding doors are perfect for maximizing light, saving floor space, and matching modern or transitional architecture. They have long been the go-to option when efficiency is the top priority.

French doors remain popular for their wide, inviting openings and classic charm, and they’ve caught up quite a bit on the efficiency front.

And you don’t necessarily need to buy top-of-the-line patio doors to see significant efficiency gains after replacement. Even entry-level patio doors from major brands now offer a level of energy performance that far exceeds older models.

Window Zone sells and installs all types of patio doors from leading American manufacturers with a variety of style options, grid patterns, and efficiency-enhancing features. Call us at 469.557.6333 to schedule a free quote.