Patio door update in full swing

Home Channel News, Sept 1, 1998 by Jason Gonzalez

If the words "patio door" evoke images of 1950's suburbia -- an aluminum, two-panel sliding door opening into a neatly manicured backyard or a concrete slab of a balcony -- it's entirely understandable Several manufacturers today agree they are still fighting that exact perception

Efforts to modernize the category are bringing important changes to both the aesthetic and functional designs of residential patio doors In the past year, manufacturers introduced patio doors made of innovative materials and designed with different options, like multiple-panel systems and functionally improved outswinging hinges

"People are building more decks and patios, blending the outdoors and indoors," said Hans Vetter, vp-sales for SNE Enterprises, which manufacturers Crestline and Vetter windows and doors "A good patio door system facilitates this blending"

In January, Crestline introduced a new line of aluminum-clad outswinging patio doors called CrestClad, featuring Crestline's maintenance-free finish, a seven-point multi-lock system, and a low-E glass option Vetter said the company was driven to develop a higher-end outswing patio door by builders and homeowners, especially those in the hurricane-prone regions

"Our customers told us 'If you develop this door, we'll pull additional window sales along with it,' " said Vetter The doors effectively hit the market in early June through dealers primarily in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas According to Vetter, early sales have been above forecast

To cite how popular the outswing design has become, window and patio door giant Andersen Corp debuted its first outswinging model -- the Andersen Frenchwood Outswing Door -- earlier this year Bob Brenna, Andersen's patio door marketing manager, said it developed the product after years of hearing customers m the South and West clamor for it

Brenna pinpointed three reasons for the doors' current popularity Primarily, outswing patio doors are structurally stronger than inswing hinged doors and sliding models, making them a favorite in the South.

The newness factor is also a big benefit "Many baby-boomers grew up in homes with sliding patio doors," and out west (particularly California), he noted, builders want to be seen as trendsetters who employ the latest building products Lastly, the doors open outward, placing no restrictions on furniture placement inside

Brenna said that of the 300,000 patio doors Andersen will produce this year, 15,000 are expected to be outswing models Without citing a specific target, he said Andersen's expected quick growth in this sub-category over the next few years.

Category expansion

While there is little information detailing the various types of patio doors sold in the U S , there are statistics about the category at large A 1998 market report on the window and door industry by the National Wood Window and Door Association and the American Architectural Manufacturer's Association forecasts a sizable increase for the patio door category (see table, right)

In 1999, the report predicts patio door production will rise 5 percent to 3 0 million units. In 2000, the total U S patio door market will reach 3.2 million units At the same time, patio doors made from wood, vinyl and other materials will make up a combined 65 percent of the patio door market Aluminum, which held a 55 percent share of the market in 1990, is expected to drop to 35 percent m 2000.

At least one big manufacturer, Therma-Tru, looked at the patio door statistics and saw a potential for greater penetration "We think it's time to aggressively pursue the patio door business," said David Niderberg, Therma-Tru's marketing director "Very few door manufacturers pursued patio doors They let the window-makers take that market"

In early 1998, Therma-Tru hit back, rolling out its first fiberglass patio door The Fiber-Classic prefinished patio door is a more-durable product than competitors like wood, which scratches easily, and steel or aluminum, which can dent, according to Niderberg It also features stainable oak-grained door panels

Bob Eckert, residential marketing manager for Weather-shield Windows & Doors, conceded that it is quite a challenge these days Just keeping up with the patio door demand One of its more recent introductions, the Picture Patio Door, features an oversized center window and sliding doors on each side.

"Everyone has different needs for a patio door," said Eckert "The inherent challenge is making sure you can meet all those applications"