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.
Sliding door vs french door.
French doors and sliding doors have different hardware.
A french door consists of a frame around one or more transparent panels that may be installed in matching pairs or in a series.
Due to a sleek one track operating mechanism sliding patio doors need far less space than french doors and as such are very popular with people who have a less expansive area to update.
The sliding track deters many people from this option.
Also often one has to step over the track to prevent stubbing the foot or tripping.
Without a doubt french doors are safer that sliding doors.
French patio doors are mostly made of glass and look similar to windows.
Sometimes called gliding patio doors aluminium sliding doors differ from french doors in that they are made of larger panes of glass and slide open and closed.
A classic model has two side by side panels that swing in or out from hinges on the sides of the frame.
However the wider frame on a french patio door is a more traditional style which many homeowners desire.
French doors have a wider door frame.
Sliding doors on the other hand because they are often entirely transparent can be mistaken for being open.
A sliding glass door frame is typically narrower than a french patio door frame which means it will allow more natural light into your home.
The track can be unattractive in appearance.
Sliding doors open by sliding either one over the other or sliding out from the centre over fixed panels.
As an added bonus more light tends to flow into a home with sliding door installed as thinner frames are possible.
Traditional sliding glass doors have two panels with one that slides along rollers to cover the other.
This is largely due to the fact that they are obviously doors.
If your doors will be connecting two spaces that have furniture in them it is best to use a sliding door.
A considerable difference between french doors vs sliding doors is the track involved with sliding doors.
With french doors you re going to have the swing of the doors competing for space where furniture will be or should be.