Swinging or Sliding Patio Doors?

Come in Swinging or Sliding:Which Patio Door Style Is Right for Your Home?

Your patio doors connect your indoor living space to your outdoor living space. The right patio doors can provide a great source of natural light, a beautiful view, and easy access to your backyard.

Once you decide to upgrade your patio door, you must then decide which type best suits your home. In this blog, we discuss two common types of patio doors: swinging and sliding.

Swinging Patio Doors

Swinging patio doors, often called French doors,consist of two moving panels, each with their own handles. These panels can be opened simultaneously to provide an oversized opening or one at a time like a normal door in the home.

Advantages

Swinging patio doors can add charm and personality to any home. These doors offer the following advantages:

  • Convenience. Swinging doors operate essentially like any other external door, which creates better flow of traffic.
  • Security. Because swinging doors have two handles, they can accommodate more sophisticated locking mechanisms and provide more security.
  • Style. Swinging doors come in a variety of colors and styles that suit a variety of homes.

Another factor to consider regarding swinging doors is that they tend to look more elegant than sliding doors; therefore, they work well with more ornate or lavish home decor.

Drawbacks

While many homeowners love the look of swinging patio doors, they must also consider the potential drawbacks. These considerations include:

  • Cost. Swinging doors may cost more than their sliding counterparts. Installation can also cost more if the door frame needs to be widened to put the doors in place, which is a common step for swinging door installation.
  • Light. Due to the style of swinging door frames, the doors let in less light than other patio door styles.
  • Space. Swinging doors require more space. You need enough clearance for the doors to move freely without hitting any furniture or walls.

If these factors aren’t very important to you, then swinging doors may be a great choice for your home.

Sliding Patio Doors

Sliding patio doors are a staple of modern home design. These doors feature one fixed panel and one moving panel.

Advantages

Sliding patio doors are the default option in many homes, but they can also be the best choice for the space. Sliding doors offer the following advantages:

  • Affordability. Both the materials and installation of sliding glass doors generally cost less than other patio door options.
  • Ease of operation. Sliding doors require only a small amount of pressure to open. Even small children and individuals with diminished body strength can operate these doors, which makes them ideal for large families and families that include elderly individuals.
  • Resistance to weather changes. Swinging doors can slam closed unexpectedly due to changes in air pressure. Sliding doors do not respond to any weather changes, so they are easier to use year round.

If cost is your main deciding factor when it comes to choosing patio doors, then sliding doors are a great option for you.

Drawbacks

Some homeowners prefer not to use sliding doors. These doors can come with the following drawbacks:

  • Mobility. Sliding doors require a specific type of frame with a higher threshold than most other doors. This threshold can pose mobility problems for individuals who use canes, walkers, or wheelchairs.
  • Security. The locks in sliding doors often need to be augmented in order to prevent an intruder from entering. Homeowners may need to invest in a secondary locking system that fits in the door track to make a sliding door secure.
  • Style. Sliding doors do not come with as many style options as swinging doors. These style limitations mean that sliding doors can look out of place, especially in Victorian, craftsman, and Spanish style homes.

Still not sure which patio door style best suits your home? Consult with the experts at Fischer Window and Door Store. We supply high-quality patio doors in a variety of styles, even beyond basic swinging and sliding models. Our team can help you decide on the doors that will best meet your needs.