French Doors
French doors are a pair of hinged doors that open from the center. They’re made of glass panels that extend the full length of the door. They’re typically used as an entry to a patio, deck or balcony. They’re called French doors because the window-like design originated in France in the 16th and 17th centuries. They’ve been popular for centuries.
Considerations
French doors need floor space.
Since they’re hinged they need room to swing open, either into the room or onto the balcony or patio. They may not be a good choice for a small room or patio where floor space is limited.
French doors cost more.
The average cost for these patio doors and install is around $3,500 nationwide.
French doors provide a larger opening.
They open twice as wide as the standard sliding glass door. A large doorway is desirable if you move large items in and out of the house or just have a lot of foot traffic. Standard French patio doors are 72 inches wide, but you can get them as wide as 95 inches.
French doors have traditional styling.
Their classic look goes with many home styles, including the modern farmhouse look that’s been all the rage for a decade. They also go with all revival styles, midcentury mod ranch houses and classic Cape Cods, too.
French doors last a long time.
They’re sturdy.
That’s one of the reasons they’ve been popular for centuries. French patio doors last 30 to 60 years, depending on the materials. French doors can be made of steel, fiberglass, aluminum, vinyl or wood. Steel, fiberglass and aluminum doors are the most durable.
Sliding Glass Doors
Sliding glass doors are made of framed glass panels that open and close along a single horizontal track built into the bottom of the door frame. They’re like a picture window crossed with a door. They’re typically used as an entry to a patio, deck or balcony. Sliding glass patio doors were first manufactured in the 1940s and hit their peak when midcentury modern design valued joining a home’s interior with the outside world. Sliding glass doors were as key to a ranch-style house design as floating stairs and built-in planters. They’ve never gone out of style, because who doesn’t love a glass door that lets in tons of natural light and has great views of the outdoors?
Considerations
Sliding glass patio doors allow more natural light into a room.
Since they’re like giant picture windows that move, sliding glass doors make a room look larger and brighter. They give you a lovely, unobstructed view of the outdoors and tie the room visually to the yard, making the space feel soothingly biophilic.
Sliding glass doors have contemporary styling.
They look great in midcentury modern ranch houses and contemporary houses. Want a more traditional look? You can get sliding glass doors with inserts that make them look like they have French-door style windowpanes.
Sliding glass doors cost less.
The cost of a new sliding glass patio door and install is around $2,200. That’s nearly 40 percent cheaper than French doors.
Sliding glass doors have narrower openings.
While the standard sliding glass door measures around six feet wide, only half of it opens. That means you’re looking at a door opening that’s about half that of French doors.
Sliding doors aren’t as secure.
Since they’re essentially a big panel of glass with just one lock, they’re not as secure as French doors.
Get a Pro to Install Your Doors
No matter which style you choose, hire a pro to install them. This is not a DIY project. Choosing and installing doors requires precise measurements and the doors can be heavy. A pro can guarantee you get a tight seal that keeps the elements out and your climate-controlled air in. Let Lowe’s install them for you.