French Doors vs. Sliding Doors: Which Is Better?

 Your patio doors affect the way your home looks and functions. It pays to have the deep knowledge to choose the right doors that makes sense to your layout and needs. To help you choose between the classic hinged French door and the contemporary sliding type, consider these key factors:

Architecture

If you ask Renewal by Andersen® of New Jersey and New York Metro, exterior doors can make or break your home’s curb appeal. The craftsmanship of French doors accentuates the aesthetic of traditional architectural styles because they use old-fashioned stile and rail construction and mortise-and-tenon joinery.

On the other hand, the sleek framing of contemporary sliding doors is consistent with the simplicity of modern home designs. Any mismatch between your choice of patio door and your home’s architecture could lead to an incongruous visual effect.

Wall Aperture

If you don’t have a wide wall opening, a pair of sliding doors may not be an option. Gliding units, whether one panel is fixed or not, don’t provide adequate access when installed in narrow apertures. On the contrary, a single French door can work regardless of the size of the opening.

Floor Space

Hinged units need room to open too. If your real estate is scarce, choosing sliding patio doors can help you maximize every inch of your floor space for pathways and furniture arrangement.

Security

In general, hinged doors are more secure than their gliding counterparts. Determined intruders could easily push flimsy, sliding units off their tracks. Fortunately, Renewal by Andersen products come with a sophisticated lock. For instance, our sliding door systems are equipped with a unique reach-out locking mechanism that pulls the active panel tightly into the jamb. We also offer an optional, auxiliary foot lock for another measure of security.

Let Renewal by Andersen of New Jersey and New York Metro help you choose between French doors and sliding doors. Your in-home consultation is an opportunity to learn about our wide product selection and numerous customization options to design your patio door your way. Call us at (866) 609-5033 today to schedule our initial visit to your home Hillsborough, New Jersey, at your convenience.