Sliding vs. French Patio Doors: Which Is Best for Your Home?

If you’re thinking about replacing your old patio doors, it’s nice to know that you’ve got options. However, sometimes it can be a bit difficult to pick the perfect one because you know you’ll have to live with your decision for many years to come. To make sure you do not suffer from buyer’s remorse immediately after installing your patio door, a trusted specialty windows and patio door contractor gives you the pros and cons of the two most popular choices.  

Sliding Patio Doors

Due to the fact that they glide easily along a track, sliding doors have the benefit of being very easy to operate and don’t require much strength to close or open. This is especially useful if you have young children, older family members or a relative with mobility issues. 

Since they slide along a parallel track, they do not require any room at all to be fully opened. If space is an issue for you, it is likely that your residential window contractor will recommend sliding patio doors. Perhaps the only real limitation of sliding doors is that they can only open halfway.

French Doors

Unlike sliding doors, French doors can be opened fully. With both door panels operable, you can fully control the air circulation to let in as much or as little breeze as you’d like. They also have a very striking appearance that can lend style to your home. However, French doors swing into the room so you cannot place furniture next to them. French doors also have lower energy efficiency ratings and are generally more expensive than sliding doors. 

Whether you’re looking to replace your old casement windows or are thinking about installing gorgeous new patio doors, trust in the experts over at Renewal by Andersen of Sacramento. To set up a consultation, please give us a call at (916) 779-5800 or fill out our contact form to request a free quote today.