Aluminum Patio Door Glass Package Options: Low-E, Gas Fill, Tint & Privacy Glass
An aluminum patio door glass package determines how much heat stays out, how much UV light gets blocked, and how safe the glass is when something hits it. Our standard package includes 1″ thick double-paned glass with argon gas fill, a Low-E coating, and tempered safety glass — and every layer serves a specific purpose in a Texas climate.
What Is Low-E Glass and How Does It Work on Patio Doors?
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Low-E stands for low emissivity. It’s an invisible metallic coating applied to the glass surface that reflects infrared heat back to its source — outdoor heat bounces back outside in summer, indoor heat stays inside in winter.
- We use double Low-E as our standard on aluminum patio doors; triple Low-E is available as an upgrade for homes with direct western exposure or large glass walls that take hours of afternoon sun
- Single Low-E cuts solar heat gain by about 40% compared to untreated glass — functional, but not built for Texas summers
- Double Low-E takes it to roughly 65-70% heat rejection — this is our standard on every aluminum patio door we sell
- Triple Low-E pushes past 75% solar heat rejection — recommended for west-facing glass walls, floor-to-ceiling systems, or projects targeting energy certifications
- The coating is microscopic — you don’t see it, but you feel the difference within days of installation
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Argon vs. Krypton Gas Fill — Which One Belongs in Your Patio Door?
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The space between the two panes isn’t empty. It’s filled with an inert gas that slows heat transfer better than regular air.
- Argon is our standard fill — about 30% denser than air, blocking convective heat transfer effectively for the 1″ gap between our standard double-pane glass
- Krypton is denser still — about 3x denser than argon, insulating better in thinner gaps, but for our 1″ gap it delivers only a marginal R-value improvement
- Krypton makes sense only when you’ve already upgraded to triple Low-E and want every possible thermal advantage
- For 95% of Texas homes, argon-filled Low-E glass does the job — we stock krypton as a custom order option but rarely recommend it
Tempered vs. Laminated Glass — Safety and Security Compared
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Tempered glass goes through a heat treatment making it 4-5x stronger than regular annealed glass. When it breaks, it shatters into small pebble-like chunks instead of dangerous shards. Building code requires tempered glass in any door — every aluminum patio door we ship includes it as standard.
Laminated glass sandwiches a clear PVB interlayer between two sheets. When impacted, the glass cracks but stays in the frame.
- Laminated gives you forced-entry resistance: The PVB layer makes it much harder to break through the glass; our German-engineered hardware is already RC 2-3 burglar resistant
- UV blocking: The PVB interlayer blocks over 99% of UV radiation — fabric protection for furniture, flooring, and artwork near large glass openings
- Sound damping: Laminated glass reduces exterior noise transmission by 3-5 decibels compared to tempered alone
- You can combine laminated and tempered in the same panel — we do this most often on ground-floor bifold installations
Schedule your free consultation at any of our 4 DFW showrooms.
Book your FREE in-home or showroom consultation today—we'll measure your space, explore custom designs, and bring your vision to life!
Get a FREE quote! Share your measurements or a photo of your space, and our design experts will send you a personalized price estimate.
What Tinted Glass Options Work Best for Aluminum Patio Doors?
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Tint is a color additive mixed into the glass during manufacturing — it’s not a film applied afterward. Different tint levels change how much visible light and solar heat pass through.
- Clear (no tint): ~80% visible light transmission, baseline heat rejection (Low-E only), best for maximum natural light
- Light Gray / Light Bronze: ~55-65% VLT, 10-15% additional heat reduction, subtle glare control — our most common spec for Texas aluminum patio doors
- Medium Gray / Bronze: ~35-45% VLT, 20-30% additional heat reduction, ideal for strong afternoon sun
- Dark Gray / Bronze: ~15-25% VLT, 35-45% additional heat reduction, best for privacy plus maximum heat rejection
- Darker tints reduce visible light proportionally — a 20% VLT dark gray glass wall still lets in plenty of light on sunny days
What Privacy Glass Options Are Available — Frosted vs. Reflective?
Privacy glass matters when your patio door faces a neighbor’s window, a street, or a shared outdoor space.
- Frosted / obscure glass is acid-etched or sandblasted on one surface — light passes through, shapes and silhouettes don’t — ideal for bathroom-adjacent patio openings and ground-floor bedroom doors
- Reflective glass uses a metallic oxide coating creating a mirror effect during daylight hours — people outside see their reflection, you inside see the view clearly
- Reflective glass becomes transparent at night when interior lights are on and it’s darker outside — pair it with interior blinds or shades if nighttime privacy matters
- Combined with Low-E and argon fill, reflective glass gives you the highest possible heat rejection in our glass lineup
Schedule your free consultation at any of our 4 DFW showrooms.
Love That Door®
Expert Insight
From Chad Crenshaw, Founder & Chief Engineer:
“We spec every glass package based on the specific opening — direction it faces, how much glass area, what the homeowner values most between light transmission and heat rejection. A west-facing wall in Fort Worth needs a completely different glass build than a north-facing slider in Frisco. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, and that’s exactly why we stock every option and walk you through the tradeoffs in person.”
Schedule your free consultation at any of our 4 DFW showrooms — Dallas, Frisco, Fort Worth, and Grapevine.
Book your FREE in-home or showroom consultation today—we'll measure your space, explore custom designs, and bring your vision to life!
Get a FREE quote! Share your measurements or a photo of your space, and our design experts will send you a personalized price estimate.
Frequently Asked
Questions
01.
Q: What glass package comes standard on Love That Door aluminum patio doors?
A: 1″ thick double-paned glass with argon gas fill, double Low-E coating, and fully tempered safety glass. Every panel. No exceptions.
02.
Q: Can I upgrade to triple Low-E glass?
A: Yes. Triple Low-E is available as a custom order for west-facing openings, large glass walls, and projects targeting specific energy performance ratings.
03.
Q: Is laminated glass worth the upgrade on patio doors?
A: It depends on your priorities. If forced-entry resistance, UV protection for furnishings, or exterior noise reduction matter, laminated glass is the right call. If those aren’t concerns, standard tempered glass meets all building code requirements.
04.
Q: Does tinted glass affect the view from inside?
A: It reduces visible light transmission proportionally, but light gray and light bronze tints (~55-65% VLT) are barely noticeable to the eye. Darker tints (below 35% VLT) create a noticeable dimming effect, especially on overcast days.
05.
Q: What’s the difference between reflective glass and Low-E glass?
A: Low-E is an invisible metallic coating that reflects infrared heat. Reflective glass uses a metallic oxide coating that creates a mirror effect visible from the outside. You can combine both on the same glass panel.
Book your FREE in-home or showroom consultation today—we'll measure your space, explore custom designs, and bring your vision to life!
Get a FREE quote! Share your measurements or a photo of your space, and our design experts will send you a personalized price estimate.
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