For as long as people have been traveling between indoors and outdoors, to and from their yards and gardens, the age-old question has existed: Which is better: a Hinged French Patio Door or a Sliding Glass Door?
There is a balance between form and function in many elements of your home. Patio doors are no exception. Aesthetically, there are fully glass doors that allow an unobstructed view of your yard or patio, or there are French-style doors that frame glass panels in a variety of ways, adding texture and style to the door itself. As for function, while doors will be sized properly for your space, a sliding door allows half of the space to open, but takes up essentially no space within your home as it slides along its tracks. A hinged door can open all of the way, allowing for easier flow in and out, but takes up more space for the door to open as it swings.
To begin any discussion, it’s probably best to know exactly what we are talking about when it comes to these two options, so here is a quick rundown of the two most common patio door options.
Traditional sliding doors are made of two panels. One of those panels is fixed to the frame while the other is mobile, allowing it to slide open and closed. Both panels will typically be framed rectangles of glass, one of which is on rollers that allow it to move along a track parallel with the fixed panel.
French Doors consist of a frame around one or more glass panels that may be installed in matching pairs or in a series. They can have large transparent windows or a collection of smaller ones. French doors typically use weather stripping at the floor level, where the doors meet, to prevent water from entering the home, as they aren’t secured to a track.
While there is no right or wrong type of door, there are some definite advantages and disadvantages to each concept, and you need to decide what makes the most sense for your home. This can mean matching the style (you may want French doors to match a coffered ceiling), or you might want to stick with a sliding door to make room for your favorite accent table that will be positioned nearby. We’ll lay out some of the pros and cons of each door to help you check off what is most important to you and your home.
SLIDING DOORS
PROS
Ease of Operation - Sliding doors have the benefit of being on a track, allowing them to glide open and closed quite easily, and don't require much strength.
Space Saving - Because the doors slide along a parallel track, sliding doors require almost no space to be fully opened.
Security - The security design is aimed at preventing both the fixed and mobile doors from being lifted off the tracks.
HINGED FRENCH DOORS
PROS
Ease of Access - French Doors Can open up the entire width of the opening.
Ventilation - With both door panels operable, you can open either door to let in as much or as little breeze as you'd like.
Style - There are a variety of options when it comes to French Door construction.
CONS
Locks - Sliding door locking systems don't allow for a deadbolt to be installed.
Flow - Sliding doors effectively only open halfway as only one door is mobile and simply slides next to the fixed panel.
CONS
View - Wide panels on all sides lead to less transparent viewing space.
Require Space - French doors swing into the room where they are installed so furniture cannot be placed next to them.
Poor Energy Efficiency Ratings - The area where French doors join together at the center is susceptible to air and water leakage. Also, as wind blows against a French door, it tends to bow, thus causing additional air leakage.
More Expensive - French doors are generally more expense than sliding patio doors.
Possible Obstruction - Some French doors require wood used for load bearing in the direct center of the opening, inhibiting view and the ability to move things in or out of the house.
As you can see, there are quite a few items to weigh when it comes to choosing your patio doors. While it may be enticing to choose a hinged door that can open up entirely, allowing air to flow and create a more seamless bridge between your home and your yard, many homeowners can find it extremely hard to plan their interior design concepts when the entire arc of the doors needs to be free of obstacles. On the other hand, the sleek look and feel of a sliding door might seem ideal, but if you are the type of homeowner who likes the open air or wants to host garden parties where guests can easily flow between your living room and your patio, perhaps it is right to think about the luxury of French doors.
Both options can be quite wonderful in a home, allowing in just the right amount of light and with modern technological advancements, a sliding door can be just as safe and secure as a French door even without a deadbolt lock. It’s never easy to make these decisions, but hopefully you feel a bit more informed at this point and can make the best choice possible for your home.
About Schumacher Homes
Schumacher Homes, based in Canton, Ohio, is America’s largest custom homebuilder, with operations in 32 markets in 14 states across the country. The National Housing Quality award winning company has built over 20,000 homes, customized to fit each family’s lifestyle, since its founding by Paul Schumacher in 1992. Schumacher Homes takes each customer’s inspiration and gives it a home. Each Schumacher Homes location includes a one-stop shopping design studio and model homes displaying the latest in architectural and product trends. Stop in today, be inspired and receive your no obligation price quote.