If your current patio door is leaky, insecure, or just not a good match for your home’s overall style, then you’re best off replacing them sooner rather than later. Many Cincinnati homeowners put off replacing their patio doors because they’re not even sure where to start. But preparing for this process is easier than you think. Just follow these five steps.
There are many different styles of patio doors, so it’s good to start by doing a little research and narrowing down your options somewhat. First, decide whether you’d rather have hinged or sliding/gliding patio doors. There’s no need to stick with what you currently have–a door replacement company can easily install hinged doors where a sliding door was previously located, and vice versa.
Once you’ve decided between hinged and sliding options, start thinking of color choices. Use tools like Renewal by Andersen’s Window and Door Visualizer to experiment with how different colors and hardware choices will look on your home.
Once you have a general idea of what you like and don’t like when it comes to patio doors, schedule an in-home consultation with a window replacement professional. They can evaluate your Cincinnati home and help you make some of the more intricate decisions, such as which style of glass is best suited to your needs. The company should also provide you with an estimate so you can begin preparing financially for your window replacement. Make sure you ask how long the estimate is good for so that you can plan accordingly. The best window and door replacement companies’ estimates are good for one year.
Once you and your consultant have decided on the best patio doors for your home, it’s time to schedule the replacement. Note that while most companies can work in somewhat inclement weather, they will have you choose a rain date for replacing patio doors just in case there’s a torrential storm on your initial installation day.
There’s not much you need to do to prepare your home for the patio door installation, but you will make things easier on your installation technicians if you clear the area on either side of the patio doors. Place outdoor plants and patio furniture to the side, and move indoor furniture out of the way. The techs themselves can drape your floors to prevent debris accumulation.
If you have pets, make sure they’re locked in a separate room, or send them to a friend’s house on the day of your door installation. This will ensure they don’t escape through the open door while the technicians are working.
There’s a reason to hire professionals for replacing patio doors – so you don’t have to worry about it yourself! Once they’re on site, your technicians should not need much input from you. They may ask you to confirm that the door is the right style and color before they install it, and you may have to sign some paperwork. Other than that, you’re free to go about your daily business while they work. Usually, this is a one-day project, and you’ll be enjoying your new door within a matter of hours.
If you’re thinking about replacing patio doors in your Cincinnati home, contact Renewal by Andersen today. We offer free, in-home consultations during which our experts will help you choose the perfect doors for your needs.
