The actual sliding door is a moveable rectangular framed sheet of glass that is mounted on sliding rollers which slide along a fixed track parallel to the fixed neighboring glass partition.
Sliding glass door vs french doors.
A french door consists of a frame around one or more transparent panels that may be installed in matching pairs or in a series.
Although sliding glass doors can provide more flexibility with furniture arrangement in a room french doors can based on your configuration provide a wider opening if you are moving large furniture into your house or hosting parties where there will be a lot of foot traffic in and out you may be limited by the width of the patio slider.
If the room already has little wall space consider the room design before deciding on french patio doors.
A classic model has two side by side panels that swing in or out from hinges on the sides of the frame.
Traditional sliding glass doors have two panels with one that slides along rollers to cover the other.
Sliding glass doors exterior sliding doors are the more popular option for patios as they are often less expensive than french doors and provide uninterrupted outdoor views.
Traditional two panel sliding doors are available in wood fiberglass or vinyl.
Between french doors vs sliding doors french doors take up more space than sliding glass doors.
A sliding glass door frame is typically narrower than a french patio door frame which means it will allow more natural light into your home.
The space issue can become a problem for those who are not able to renovate their entryway to provide enough space for french exterior doors.
French doors have a wider door frame.
French doors and sliding doors have different hardware.