A classic model has two side by side panels that swing in or out from hinges on the sides of the frame.
Sliding glass door vs french doors.
However the wider frame on a french patio door is a more traditional style which many homeowners desire.
If the room already has little wall space consider the room design before deciding on french patio doors.
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.
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.
Between french doors vs sliding doors french doors take up more space than sliding glass 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.
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.
Traditional two panel sliding doors are available in wood fiberglass or vinyl.
French doors and sliding doors have different hardware.
Sliding glass doors are a great option in rooms with less space flexibility as they don t swing to open like french or hinged patio doors.
Traditional sliding glass doors have two panels with one that slides along rollers to cover the other.
French patio doors are mostly made of glass and look similar to windows.