Does anyone have a recommendation for a good sliding patio door with mini blinds? I know about the Okna Elegante, but was wondering if this is one of the best or if there are others for under $3k.
Also, does adding the mini-blinds affect the window ratings in any way and will it scratch the glass?
Sliding Patio Door with mini blinds recommendation?
- HomeSealed
- Posts: 2762
- Joined: Tue Feb 16, 2010 6:14 pm
- Location: Milwaukee, Madison, Northern IL
- Contact:
Re: Sliding Patio Door with mini blinds recommendation?
Okna makes a great door, and there are others that do the blinds in glass as well.
Couple of things to keep in mind, blinds generally are not available if you need a custom size, and yes, the performance of the glass changes. Most switch to hard coat low so that it doesn't scratch which is not as efficient as the typical low-e profiles used. The U factor is not as good for that reason, although one could argue that if the blind usage is optimized based on time of day and season, that loss can be mitigated.
Couple of things to keep in mind, blinds generally are not available if you need a custom size, and yes, the performance of the glass changes. Most switch to hard coat low so that it doesn't scratch which is not as efficient as the typical low-e profiles used. The U factor is not as good for that reason, although one could argue that if the blind usage is optimized based on time of day and season, that loss can be mitigated.
Re: Sliding Patio Door with mini blinds recommendation?
Do you know if the switch to hard coat low is true for the Okna Elegante and the offerings from Soft-Lite and Sunrise?
- HomeSealed
- Posts: 2762
- Joined: Tue Feb 16, 2010 6:14 pm
- Location: Milwaukee, Madison, Northern IL
- Contact:
Re: Sliding Patio Door with mini blinds recommendation?
to my knowledge, yes
-
- Posts: 826
- Joined: Wed Feb 01, 2012 9:14 pm
- Location: Window Pro-Serves All of Northern New Jersey. Bergen, Morris, Union, Essex, Passaic, Sussex Counties
Re: Sliding Patio Door with mini blinds recommendation?
If you get blinds between the glass, your only option is Hard coat LowE. You cannot get soft coat with blinds, it can be scratched.
Re: Sliding Patio Door with mini blinds recommendation?
Thanks for the response. Based on that, would you recommend getting the mini blinds or not?
-
- Posts: 826
- Joined: Wed Feb 01, 2012 9:14 pm
- Location: Window Pro-Serves All of Northern New Jersey. Bergen, Morris, Union, Essex, Passaic, Sussex Counties
Re: Sliding Patio Door with mini blinds recommendation?
Thats up to you. Do you want blinds?
- HomeSealed
- Posts: 2762
- Joined: Tue Feb 16, 2010 6:14 pm
- Location: Milwaukee, Madison, Northern IL
- Contact:
Re: Sliding Patio Door with mini blinds recommendation?
I alluded to that in my initial post. From a strict energy efficiency standpoint, you'd have to optimize the position of the blinds based on season, time of day, facing direction, etc. If you do, its possible that you could even get better efficiency than the better glass without blinds on its own. With that said, how many people do this? Very few. If you really like the idea of not having separate window treatments but convenience and privacy, they are nice. The energy efficiency aspect is not night and day. I have a door with blinds in my office and I've had 3 of them in my previous home. No complaints.
800-399-4623