If you have plans of buying doors but you are not sure whether to go for sliding doors or French doors, then this article will guide you. The key difference between these doors is that the patio french door is the one that usually swings open whereas the sliding one will slide open.

 

sliding doors opening up to backyard

 

Basically, the sliding ones come with a panel that slides and a matching panel that slides along the top and bottom tracks. The french door comprises of double doors whereby one panel is fixed and the other panel is hinged.

The fixed panel remains closed while the hinged panel swings open. Depending on the kind of the door you choose for your patio, it will swing either inward or outward. Read on for more information about these doors.

These doors are often known as French doors. These doors feature two panels that are hinged on either side. They open wide into your patio, making it possible to have a large entry into the patio. Read about why you should opt for french doors.

 

patio french doors

 

Normally, the sliders and french door ones come as a full system that has jambs, threshold, and the necessary weather stripping. These doors interlock to enhance insulation and thereby save energy.

However, not all types of these doors are built for outdoor application. There are interior ones whose main use is connecting a room into another.

These doors basically separate two rooms once you close the door, and enable access to another room once opened.

 

Multiple or Single Glazing

Generally, these doors come with glass panes that are divided by wooden muntins. Glazing involves either single or multiple panes of glass. The glass panels are built independently such that in case you order for ten wooden doors, each door will come with its individual glass panes. The panes are also installed independently.

In case you opt to buy this type, you can make a special order since most dealers sell the type with a faux for dividing the panes. This type comes with wooden grilles. They are also visually appealing. They are less costly and easy to clean than those that come with truly divided panes.

 

exterior aluminium sliding doors

 

Most of the doors with grilles come with grid work consisting of pairs of panes such as 10, 8, or 6 pairs. The grid work is spaced evenly. There are other types that come with horizontal panes that may be 6, 5, or 4 in number. There are other styles of grill configurations available in the market.

 

Size

With respect to width, most of these doors measure 60 inches wide by 60 inches high. However, you can always feel free to order doors with other measurements as a custom order. However, you will pay more for custom measurements.

 

hinged patio door ideas

 

These doors usually feature a thickness of 1 3/8 inches or 1 ¾ inches. The conventional measurement is usually 6ft 8 inch high, but you can also find doors that measure 6ft 11 inch high and even those with a width of 8ft. Some of these doors come with side panes whereas others come with top panes.

Whenever you are out there looking for a sliding door or a french door, it will be great going through this article again to have all the details you need to know at your fingertips.

Read:

Aluminium Sliding Doors Prices

Cost of French Doors here