Which Is Best for Your Home; French Doors or Sliding Glass Doors?

When it comes to patio doors, there are two primary options that reign supreme. One of these is the sliding glass door. The other is the French door. 

Wondering about the differences between the two? Curious as to which is better for your home? Read on for an in-depth comparison of French doors and sliding glass doors. 

French Doors

French doors are patio doors that swing open on hinges. They're made primarily out of glass, though they can possess wood, vinyl, or fiberglass portions as well. 

In their most basic form, these doors come in a set of two. The doors sit next to one another, with the left door hinging from the left of the doorway and the right door hinging from the right of the doorway. In other words, they open from the center of the doorway. 

When opened fully, French doors can allow for a great deal of ventilation. Note, though, that because these doors are hinged, they take up a decent amount of space when in an opened position. 

There are also more complex French door styles out there. These can consist of several hinged doors or even additional non-mobile window panes. 

Typically speaking, French doors are more expensive than sliding glass doors. That said, prices can vary based on a number of factors, including the style of the doors, the material of the doors, and more. 

Sliding Glass Doors

Whereas French doors open on hinges, sliding glass doors slide on tracks. In other words, they move from side to side. What this means, of course, is that, when in an opened position, they don't take up any additional space. 

Like French doors, sliding glass doors consist primarily of glass. Note, however, that they can contain other materials as part of their construction, namely wood, fiberglass, and vinyl. 

These doors are typically accompanied by a screen door. This enables ventilation into the home without sacrificing much in the way of security or confinement. 

As was noted above, sliding glass doors are typically cheaper than French doors, both in terms of the initial purchase price and installation cost. However, prices can fluctuate quite a bit based on the specific door's manufacturer and materials. 

While sliding doors often possess just a single moving frame and an additional stationary frame, they can possess many more frames as well. For more information on sliding glass door options, give us a call! 

Looking to Install French Doors or Sliding Glass Doors?

Now that you know the difference between French doors and sliding glass doors, you might be ready to install some next to your patio. Looking for new doors in Pleasanton, CA? Cal Coast Window & Door has you covered. 

We offer a wide variety of French doors and sliding glass doors and have supplied door installation services to countless Pleasanton area homeowners. Regardless of the types of doors that you're into, we can accommodate you. 

Contact us now to discuss your needs!