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Sliding patio door or single regular door?

13 years ago

I either want to go with a sliding patio door or a single door that has a big full length light on one side. Something that looks like a french double door but is actually a single. My questions are what are the pros and cons with each of these and the biggest question is how effecient is a sliding door?

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Comments (5)

andi_k
13 years ago
I think sliding patio doors are just more functional. You can have the door open and it won't be sticking out in a walkway. Plus, when the weather is nice, you can have the a screen door there to get the fresh air inside.
nini804
13 years ago
I don't like the look of sliders...but that just may be my personal hang up! We are doing one big single glass door on each side of our fireplace in the family room (ours will have divided lights, not just a single pane of glass, though.) I do agree that you don't have to worry about furniture clearances and such with a slider, though.

And, I don't know about the energy efficiency, but I think that sliding glass doors might be less secure, if that is a concern.
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I agree with Fori, you are talking to the wrong sales people. For years early in my career, seems almost all I did was change out sliders to french doors. For your opening size and situation, you could use several combinations of door and sidelight combos. For example, a pair of 32" swinging french, with a 32" fixed sidelight. If your rough opening won't accept that, perhaps a 30" sidelight and/or 30" doors.
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itltrot
13 years ago
Sliders are great if space is a concern. As you won't have to worry about the door opening into walls or furniture.

They've come a long ways since the old aluminum doors. Vinyl is the most common door material (at least where I live) and they come in a few colors. Provide you buy the right glass package they are energy efficient. Some even come with a foot bolt that is additional lock instead of having to use a broom handle.

Patio doors (like a French door but one panel is stationary) are great if you have no space concerns. They typically have wider openings than a slider door. They also have sliding screens so you can still enjoy having the door open without bugs.

These doors come in variety of materials from vinyl to steel to wood to wood with aluminum cladding on the exterior. Typically these doors are harder meet the current energy efficiency standards. Which that is mostly determined by which material the door is made out of.

These doors can come with multipoint lock systems which means while they lock in the middle they also lock at the top and bottom. Which makes a glass door as secure as it can.

Both a good doors just depends on which look/space you have for the door.
aring633
13 years ago
With 4 kids, my biggest concern was which door was easiest to clean. We opted for a single regular door with two side panels that can be opened to let a breeze in. I love it. No more trying to clean grime and dirt out of the track.
jagp
13 years ago
Go with the sliders. Much more functional relative to space saving. Also, you can use a screen with them and they have improved their looks over the years.

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