Sliding Glass Doors and hinged French Doors are both popular choices for homeowners connecting indoor and outdoor spaces, offering different designs, functionality, features, and advantages. The team at New Windows for America is here to help you when it’s time for you to consider what door might be best for your space, as well as preferences, style, and features.

We have created a summary of the pros and cons of both the sliding glass door and the French patio door for your consideration. New Windows for America is a trusted resource as your Denver replacement patio door experts to answer any questions, explain options, and help guide you to select the sliding glass door or French patio door for your home.

SLIDING GLASS DOORS VS. FRENCH PATIO DOORS

Style

Sliding Glass Doors

Sliding doors consist of two large glass panels where one panel slides horizontally on a track to open and close. Sliding doors are available in a wide variety of styles, often framed with vinyl, wood, or fiberglass. New Windows for America carries and offers options from top manufacturers to fit your budget and style, available in a variety of colors and configurations to suit the design of your home.

French Patio Doors

French doors typically consist of two individual door panels that meet in the middle when closed, swinging open and close on hinges. French patio doors can also be combined with side-lite windows to allow for additional light and airflow.

Space-efficiency

Sliding Glass Doors

Sliding doors glide horizontally along a track, with one panel overlapping the other when the door is fully open. As sliding doors don’t require extra space for the doors to swing open, it makes them ideal for areas with limited space. Sliding doors also maximize living space since the doors don’t need to swing in or out; however, the track that the doors slide along typically requires sliding glass doors to have a larger threshold than French patio doors.

French Patio Doors

As French doors swing open and close like a traditionally hinged door, they do require enough space to accommodate opening the doors allowing them to swing open without obstruction. French patio doors have a wide opening which can reduce the usable floor space in a room, especially in smaller areas. Although French doors offer a more classic and elegant look, they may not be as space efficient as sliding glass doors.

Functionality

Sliding Glass Doors

Sliding patio doors offer an abundance of natural light into your home, with large panels of glass providing expansive views of the outdoors while making the room look larger. Sliding doors offer limited ventilation as only one of the panels slides open. Having a screen door can allow for airflow while keeping the bugs away.

French Patio Doors

Like the sliding glass door, French doors also allow for more natural light into the room, and with two doors and typically a larger opening, it can really give the feeling of bringing the outdoors in. French doors also provide better ventilation as both doors can be opened simultaneously.

Energy Efficiency

Sliding Glass Doors

Sliding patio doors often come with energy-efficient features like thermal breaks, weather stripping, and double-pane insulated glass. Considerations should also be made to the material of the frame and the glazing of the door itself. It is important to have a trained installer to make sure the patio doors are installed correctly. Ask the team at New Windows for America about Energy-Star-certified sliding glass doors.

French Patio Doors

Today’s French patio doors are manufactured better than ever making these doors more energy efficient than in the past. With updates to door materials, double-paned glass, glazing, and improved insulated designs, contemporary French patio doors are more energy efficient. French doors typically have a tighter seal as rain and wind push the door closed and come with a variety of energy-efficient glass options.

Security

Sliding Glass Doors

Security is a big factor when choosing a patio door for your home. Beautiful patio doors made today are designed with your family’s security in mind. The security of your sliding door includes the type and quality of the lock, framing material, and glazing of the glass. Also, a poorly installed patio door will not prevent a burglar from entering. Ask the team at New Windows for America for what kind of options will suit you and your family best for the ultimate security of your home.

French Patio Doors

French doors have the same quality locking systems as standard doors, making the doors just as safe and secure. Installing a three-point locking mechanism will make it more difficult for an intruder to enter. Again, making sure the door is installed properly by a professional door installer is extremely important.

Are You Ready to Replace Your Patio Door?

If you are contemplating a renovation or looking to replace your patio doors, we encourage you to contact New Windows for America. We provide you with a free, no-obligation estimate, and can provide you with options based on your budget, and style of your home.

Contact us today to get a free, no-obligation estimate for patio doors, whether it be a sliding glass patio door or a French patio door – we are your local patio door expert!

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New Windows for America is a local and family-owned business for over 25+ years, installing a wide range of energy-efficient windows, doors, and siding. With our trained and professional installers, you can trust New Windows for America as your local window, door, and siding installer to perform a quality installation. We have a 5-star professional and knowledgeable team to help you choose the best windows, siding, and doors for your home, to fit your style, and budget.

Contact us today to schedule your FREE In-Home Estimate.

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