Sliding Patio Door with Retractable Screen Offers Beauty and Performance

The owner of this home in Whitehall, Pennsylvania, a welcoming suburb of Allentown, knew it was time to upgrade the sliding patio door leading to the deck in their backyard. Not only did the existing door look aged, but it was also not performing well in the chilly Pennsylvania winters and humid summers. The homeowner wanted a white patio door with traditional grilles to match the classic style common in this established Lehigh Valley neighborhood, while improving energy efficiency and durability.

We recommended replacing the old patio door with a Lifestyle Series sliding patio door. This helped preserve the look of a traditional patio door that fits right in with the architectural style of homes in Whitehall. It also fits nicely in the existing space overlooking the spacious backyard. Lifestyle Series patio doors are available with some of the most desired features including an optional, retractable screen.

Pella's Rolscreen® option rolls away and out of sight when not in use. On this sliding patio door, the screen rolls open and closed from side to side and features self-close retraction. Unlike the visible screen on the old patio door, this configuration gives the homeowner a more unobstructed view of their lovely backyard that backs up to a wooded area, common in Whitehall. It also eliminates the seasonal chore of removing and storing screens, a familiar nuisance for many Lehigh Valley homeowners.

When replacing their patio door, improved energy efficiency was very important to the homeowner, as Pennsylvania experiences cold winters and hot, humid summers. They hoped to reduce their utility bill and add comfort to the home year-round. The Low-E glass coating on their new patio door blocks most of the sun's harmful UV rays, helping prevent furniture and flooring in their home from fading. In the winter, the glass reflects heat back into the room to keep their home warmer during those frigid Lehigh Valley winters. In the summer, it reflects heat away from the room to keep their home cooler and more comfortable amidst the muggy Pennsylvania heat. Triple-pane glass, available in Lifestyle Series patio doors, also helps block out unwanted noises from the neighborhood. The homeowners gained exceptional noise control for a quieter home.

Lifestyle Series patio doors are designed and built for real life in places like the Lehigh Valley, where homes endure a full range of weather conditions. They are constructed with a three-way corner joint that provides added strength and durability for the sliding patio door panel and frame. These homeowners were also glad to hear that exterior aluminum cladding can help prevent damage, which was a problem on the old patio door exposed to the elements. Their new door is resistant to fading and chalking, and protected from the effects of moisture, decay, stains from mold and mildew and termite damage — all important considerations in the Lehigh Valley climate. This gives them peace of mind knowing they've selected a low-maintenance and naturally durable product that is built to last.

Apart from improved energy efficiency, one of the homeowner's primary requests was to maintain the traditional look and feel of the existing patio door to match the classic style of their Whitehall home and neighborhood. The main way to keep this aesthetic was by replicating the traditional grille pattern of their old door. Grilles-between-the-glass give the appearance of individual windowpanes, showcasing the original style of the patio that is common in Lehigh Valley homes. The homeowners also chose to add between-the-glass blinds for improved light control and privacy. The built-in grilles and blinds are protected from dust, pets and little hands and allow for easy cleaning. The homeowners were especially pleased to see the patio door arrive with grilles and blinds already custom-fit and installed by our team.

The new sliding patio door with a retractable screen, grilles-between-the-glass and built-in blinds made all the difference in updating this backyard entertainment space to align with the aesthetics and needs of this Lehigh Valley home. It refreshed the aesthetic without changing the traditional look and feel that fits right into this charming Whitehall neighborhood. The homeowners love the way the project turned out and know that the durability and performance of this door will last them for years to come, even with exposure to Pennsylvania's varied weather conditions.