Steel French Doors vs. Sliding Glass Doors

23 Mar Steel French Doors vs. Sliding Glass Doors

Choosing between steel French doors and sliding glass doors isn’t easy. When you’re ready to upgrade your sliding doors, you want the right choice for you. There are many styles to consider. Let’s look at the pros and the cons of steel French doors and sliding glass doors.

Steel French Doors: Pros & Cons

Also known as hinged patio doors, steel French doors will have two doors that swing open from the center. These doors can be opened both inwardly and outwardly. They typically fit with more traditional home styles.

Pros

• Steel French doors tend to be easy to open and light.
• Can open very wide, which can be helpful when moving things into or out of the home.
• Offers traditional charm for those with a more traditional home.
• Provides an easy to install options.
• The versatile design makes it easy to use steel French doors in many different ways.

Cons

• The hinges will need to be maintained or they might become noisy or stiff.
• Higher probability of air infiltration into the home.
• Can obstruct the view when doors are closed.
• Come in at a higher cost compared to sliding doors.

It’s important to weigh the pros and cons before you choose steel French doors. These durable doors offer a traditional look that works grist for many homes.

Sliding Glass Doors: Pros & Cons

A common type of patio door, a sliding glass door will slide open on a track. It will go back and forth to open the door to the outside.

Pros

• Provide a large viewpoint with the door closed and let in quite a bit of light.
• Offers a more affordable option for your patio door.
• Creates a tighter seal.
• Helps to save space since one half of the door will slide into the other half.
• Provides an unobstructed view.

Cons

• The track can become filled with debris or dirt making it harder to close the door.
• Requires an anti-lift device to provide better security.
• Often requires a screen, which comes with more upkeep.
• The installation can be rather expensive with high-grade glass materials.
• Can become difficult to open over time.
• Doesn’t offer much privacy.

While sliding glass doors tend to be popular, they do come with plenty of pros and cons. Make sure to weigh both before making your decision.

Steel French Doors vs. Sliding Glass Doors: Which is the Right Option?

There really isn’t a one-size-fits-all when looking at steel French doors vs. sliding glass doors. It depends on what you prefer and which type of door might fit best for your design and needs. If you plan to sell your home in the near future, it might be smart to ask a local real estate agent which type of door is preferred by home buyers.

When the door will go into a home you don’t plan to leave anytime soon, your personal preference is important. Of course, you still want to match the door to the style of the home. What you like, however, matters more in this situation than if you’re trying to make your home appealing for a potential buyer.