The patio door is one of the most important doors in your home as it creates a sense of connection between the outdoors and indoors. If you’re looking for a patio door, there’s a good chance that you’re probably choosing between French and sliding patio doors. Understanding the advantages of each option will help you determine which one will best suit your needs.
The French Door
French patio doors are characterized by two separate panels that swing open. Some French patio doors have panels that swing outwards or inwards while others are only designed to open one way. When fully opened, a French patio door can create a very wide opening. This makes the French patio door a better option when it comes to providing ventilation and uninterrupted movement for people passing through.
However, the same panels that give a French patio door its advantages can also work against it. If there’s not enough floor space to make way for the panels, it will be impossible to fully open a French patio door. That being said, French patio doors work best if there is enough room for them.
The Sliding Door
Sliding patio doors, as their name implies, are known for having panels that slide along rails positioned on the top and bottom edge of the door frame. Some sliding doors feature two sliding panels while others only have one sliding panel and one fixed panel. The panels take up just as much space as the door frame, making them great for areas with limited floor space. Furthermore, because the panels are fully supported by the door frame, a sliding door can afford to have larger glass panels than French doors, which may require stiles for extra support.
In some cases, you may want to call for a door replacement from us and change your French door into a sliding door to get a better view of the outside or to achieve a more minimalist look. However, you have to be aware of the fact that sliding doors can only open up to half of the door frame’s width, so you’ll have a smaller entrance compared to if you get a French door.
Ready to make your choice? Renewal by Andersen® of Houston is the leading provider of patio doors and other door installation services in Spring and other areas in Texas. Call us at (281) 547-6177, or fill out our contact form to request a free quote.
