Sliding Glass Doors vs. French Doors

Stylish, energy-efficient patio doors can instantly improve your home’s appearance, make it more functional, and save you money on your energy bills. Today’s patio doors are available in various styles and configurations. With so many choices available, selecting the best patio doors for your home can be overwhelming.

The most common patio doors are sliding glass patio doors and hinged French doors.

Since both styles have useful features, it’s helpful to consider your needs and preferences when choosing which type is best for your home. To help make the process easier for you, we’ve summarized the pros and cons of sliding glass doors and hinged French doors. Plus, the replacement patio door experts at Metropolitan High Performance Windows can answer your questions, explain your options, and help you select the perfect sliding glass door or French swinging door for your home!

The Pros and Cons
French Doors vs. Sliding Glass Patio Doors

Exterior Hinged French Door

Sliding Glass Patio Door

Style and Appearance

Available in a wide variety of styles, French doors and sliding glass doors can be further customized with an array of options that fulfill your needs and preferences and complement the style of your home, apartment or condominium. Metropolitan High Performance Windows carries vinyl, fiberglass, wood-clad, and aluminum replacement patio doors from top manufacturers that fit your budget and are available in various colors and configurations. Depending on your available space, French swing doors can be combined with operable or fixed side-lite windows for additional light and airflow. Sliding glass doors can be configured with two to four glass panels and generally have a more modern appearance than French doors. Some people who own older homes prefer the more classic, traditional look of a French entry door. However, with the vast array of features available today, either door style can be designed with a contemporary or traditional aesthetic.

Functionality

If you want to let more natural light into your home, exterior French doors and sliding glass doors are great options! Sliding patio doors can have large panels of glass that provide unimpeded views of the outdoors and can make any room look larger. 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 swinging doors. In addition to space considerations, your climate can impact your decision between sliding and swinging doors. Factors to consider include the likelihood of wind gusts that could blow out-swinging French doors closed, snow and rain that in-swinging French doors could bring into your home, and the possibility that snow will accumulate in drifts that make it hard to push French doors open. Regardless of your ultimate choice, you’ll be pleased to know that all of the French doors and sliding glass patio doors available from Metropolitan High Performance Windows are easy to operate and virtually maintenance-free.

Security

Security is a big consideration when choosing a patio door for your house, condominium, or apartment. These days, beautiful, functional sliding glass or French doors are designed with your family’s security. French doors and sliding glass doors manufactured today are sturdily constructed. They offer many security features, such as impact-resistant glass and multi-point locking systems, that help protect your home and family from intruders.

Features

The large variety of features available for sliding glass doors and French doors make it easy to create the perfect patio doors for your home. You’ll be thrilled with the assortment of feature-rich options available on the wide selection of French swinging doors and sliding glass patio doors carried by Metropolitan High Performance Windows:

French Door Options

Interior and Exterior Materials: Vinyl, Fiberglass, Aluminum, and Wood-Clad. Read more on French door options and specifications.

French Door Configurations
Interior and Exterior Frame Colors
Door Size
Frame Styles and Depths
Hardware
Built-in Blinds
ENERGY STAR® Rated
Glass Types
Grid Structures and Patterns
Security Locks
Pet Doors
Side Lites

Sliding Glass Door Options

Interior and Exterior Materials: Vinyl, Fiberglass, Aluminum, and Wood-Clad. Read more on sliding glass door options and specifications.

Sliding Door Configurations
Interior and Exterior Frame Colors
Door Size
Frame Styles and Depths
Rail Styles
Hardware
Built-in Blinds
ENERGY STAR® Rated
Glass Types
Configurations
Grid Structures and Patterns
Security Locks
Pet Doors
Roller Types
Side Lites
Security Locks

Which Patio Door is Right for Your Home? We Can Help!

With so many affordable and energy-efficient sliding glass door and French door options available at Metropolitan High Performance Windows, you’ll find the perfect patio doors to enhance your home and save you money on your energy bills. Whether you’ve decided on the type of doors you prefer or have questions, our patio door experts are here to help! We have an outstanding reputation for providing local homeowners with professional advice and the best customer service in the industry. We’re happy to help you narrow down our great selection of sliding glass doors and French swinging doors and popular features and options to find the patio door that best compliments your home and is most functional for your needs. One of our expert patio door installers can visit your home and provide you with a free same-day estimate on replacement patio door installation. We’re known for honest, transparent pricing, pressure-free sales, and quick, hassle-free turnaround. Plus, our patio doors are covered by a manufacturer’s lifetime warranty. To schedule your free estimate at a time convenient for you, call 800-995-8878 or email today and start saving money and enhancing the appearance of your home!

Get Free Consultation & Estimate

If your home needs new windows or entry or patio doors, schedule a free consultation and estimate with the experts at Metropolitan High Performance Windows. Financing is available, with approved credit.

Call (800) 995-8878 or email to get your free consultation and estimate.