Before installing a glass door, the first step is deciding which type of patio door best suits your space. The two most popular choices for patio and backyard entryways are sliding glass doors and French doors. Each option offers distinct advantages, potential drawbacks, and a unique aesthetic to complement your style and needs.
Let’s examine these two key openings before you lock yourself into one glass door option!
Sliding Glass Doors vs. French Doors: What’s the Difference?
The differences between sliding glass doors and French doors are apparent. While both doors have two glass panels to create a large opening and let in a lot of natural light, the similarities essentially stop there.
Sliding glass doors are a modern, minimalist option that features one stationary glass panel and one that slides back and forth along a track to open and close. They are often paired with a sliding screen door to increase airflow without letting in bugs and leaves.
French doors have a more traditional, classic aesthetic. They have dual doors that swing open and shut, allowing them to be opened more fully but inherently requiring more space.
Sliding Glass Doors: Pros and Cons
There are many advantages to sliding glass doors, which make them the most popular choice for modern homes. They are preferred for their minimalist, sleek look and tend to be comprised of single, sturdy panels of glass without many accents that could otherwise limit natural light.
Sliding glass doors tend to be a more affordable option, and the space-saving design makes them ideal for homes of all sizes. Sliding glass doors are exceptionally energy-efficient, as only one side opens, and the sliding tracks are designed to create a tight, airtight seal when closed — all while remaining effortless to operate. These sliding doors are built to last, require minimal maintenance, and are not broken easily.
If you have a more traditional, classic home, sliding glass doors may not be the right choice for your style. The one-sided opening can also feel restrictive at times when you want to create a larger opening to move items in and out of the home or just to let in more fresh air and light. They can also be difficult to clean, as the track may collect dirt, and it’s hard to properly clean the overlap between the sliding door and stationary panel.
Many homeowners are also concerned about the security risk of sliding glass doors, but don’t “shut the door” on them just yet! Sliding glass doors have come a long way and have much stronger security than in the past. Since they only lock from the inside, they can’t easily be opened from outside when latched.
Benefits of Sliding Glass Doors:
- Modern aesthetic appeal
- Quick and simple installation
- Allow plenty of natural light
- Space-saving design
- Highly energy efficient
- Easy in-and-out accessibility
- Minimal maintenance
Drawbacks of Sliding Glass Doors:
- One-sided opening
- Require frequent cleaning
French Doors: Pros and Cons
French doors are a trendy favorite in recent years for their classic look, especially for older, more traditional styles of homes. The two-door design makes for very large openings to let in plenty of fresh air and natural light when open. French doors have very robust locking systems with multiple locking points and the ability to easily install additional security measures if desired. They also come in a wide range of designs and styles to allow for greater customization.
Unfortunately, French doors are less energy efficient than sliding glass doors. Their dual opening doesn’t create as tight a seal as sliding glass doors, and they may blow easily on windy days. French glass door installation is more complex and expensive than sliding glass door installation, and the doors themselves take up more space and need more space around them to open.
Benefits of French Doors:
- Traditional aesthetic appeal
- Two-door opening for optimal ventilation
- Excellent security
- Very customizable
Drawbacks of French Doors:
- More expensive and complex installation
- Require more space for opening
- Less energy efficient
Enjoy Superior Glass Door Installation with Rolox Home Service
No matter what doors you choose for your patio, Rolox Home Service has reliable, warrantied glass door installation options that are complete with plenty of styles and energy-efficient glass varieties. Our replacement doors will bring gorgeous aesthetic appeal and brighten your space with natural light, making your home look brand new!
Schedule a free estimate to learn more about our beautiful, efficient, and maintenance-free glass door installations!
