sliding vs french patio doors
Patio doors come in two main types. Sliding doors have one fixed panel and one panel that glides along a track. French doors are a pair of hinged doors that swing open, either inward or outward. Both bring in light and connect the house to the deck or yard, but they differ in the space they need, how they seal, how they look and what they cost. Here is how to choose, with Plum ProExteriors' prices for each.
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Answer four quick questions and see a standard, premium and deluxe range. No email needed to see the price.
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★★★★★5/5sliders for space and value, french doors for the opening and the look
Choose a sliding door if floor space is tight, you want the most glass for the money, and you want a door that is simple to operate. Choose French doors if you want a wide opening, a traditional look that suits colonials and older homes, and you have room for the doors to swing. In New England, both can be very energy efficient when they are well built and properly installed, and a sliding French door gives the look of French doors with the space savings of a slider. Installed, a gliding door starts at $8,860 and a French door at $13,860; the calculator below prices both.
what a new door costs
Door pricing depends on the style, the frame material and the glass. Answer four quick questions for a standard, premium and deluxe range. Every project is quoted after we measure the opening, and financing is available on every service we offer.
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the space each one needs
Sliding door
One panel glides along a track. Furniture can sit right up to the door, and snow on the deck never blocks it. About half the width opens at once.
French doors
Two hinged panels swing in or out and open the full width. In-swing needs clear floor space inside; out-swing needs clear space on the deck, and drifting snow can block it.
side-by-side comparison
- Space: sliders need no swing room; French doors need clear floor space or deck space for the swing
- Opening: a slider opens to about half its width; French doors open the full width
- Light: sliders usually have more glass and slimmer frames
- Style: French doors suit traditional and colonial homes; sliders suit modern and casual layouts
- Screens: sliders usually come with a built-in sliding screen; French doors need an add-on retractable or hinged screen
- Security: French doors with multi-point locks and modern sliders with anti-lift features are both secure; older sliders are the weakest option
- Cost: sliders are usually the more economical choice; French doors cost more to build and install
Sliding Patio Doors
- No swing space needed, so furniture can sit close to the door
- Large glass panels and slim frames for more light and view
- Easy one-hand operation and a built-in screen
- Usually less expensive than French doors of the same width
Drawbacks: only half the width opens at once, the track collects grit and needs regular cleaning, and worn rollers make older sliders drag.
French Patio Doors
- The full width opens, which is ideal for moving furniture or for entertaining
- A classic look that suits colonials, Victorians and other traditional homes
- Strong security with multi-point locks and a solid closing seal
Drawbacks: they need clear space to swing, out-swing doors can be blocked by snow or catch the wind, screens are an add-on, the center meeting stile can draft if the doors shift, and they usually cost more than a slider of the same width.
what each one costs
Gliding patio door
Two panels, one fixed, one on a track
- Standard
- $8,860
- Premium
- $9,770
- Deluxe
- $10,950
French patio door
A hinged pair that opens the full width
- Standard
- $13,860
- Premium
- $14,770
- Deluxe
- $15,950
Which is more energy efficient?
Neither type wins automatically. Hinged French doors press against compression weatherstripping when they close, which can give a very tight seal. Sliders rely on brush or fin weatherstripping along the track, but modern sliders with insulated frames and low-E glass perform very well. In a New England winter, the frame material, the glass and the quality of the installation matter more than the door type. Each style has one weak point: on French doors it is the center meeting stile, and on sliders it is the track and its seals. When comparing doors, look at the ENERGY STAR label and the U-factor and solar heat gain ratings rather than the style. Our sliding door replacement cost guide covers the installation side.
Snow and Winter Use
If your patio door opens onto a deck that collects snow, think about the swing direction. An out-swing French door can be blocked by drifting snow, while an in-swing door needs clear floor space inside. A slider avoids both problems. A well-pitched sill and good flashing under any patio door keeps meltwater out of the floor.
Sliding French Doors: The Middle Ground
A sliding French door looks like a pair of French doors, with wider frames and traditional detailing, but operates like a slider. It is a popular choice for colonials where there is no room for a swing, and it is priced as a gliding door in the calculator.
how plum proexteriors helps you choose
We look at the room, the deck and the opening, and talk through swing direction, glass and frame options with you. You get a written quote for the door you choose, listing the door, the installation and any sill or framing repair. If a new deck is planned, we build it to the new threshold. Financing is available. See our guides to types of exterior doors and front door replacement cost.
what our clients say
The owner is on site for every project, and when the job is done he asks every client the same question on camera: what do you think? These are their answers, at their own homes.
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Tap to playpatio doors we have installed
frequently asked questions
Are French doors more energy efficient than sliding doors?
Not necessarily. A well-built, well-installed door of either type can be very efficient. Frame material, glass and installation matter most.
Which is more secure?
French doors with multi-point locks are very secure, and modern sliders with good locks and anti-lift features are too. Older sliders are the weakest option.
Which costs more?
French doors. Installed, a gliding door runs $8,860 to $10,950 and a French door $13,860 to $15,950, because French doors use two operating panels and more hardware. Use the calculator on this page for your frame and glass.
Can I replace a slider with French doors?
Usually, yes, if there is room for the doors to swing. The opening and trim may need changes.
What is a sliding French door?
A slider styled to look like French doors, with wider frames and traditional details. It saves floor space while keeping the classic look.
What are the disadvantages of French doors?
They need room to swing, cost more, need add-on screens, can catch the wind if they swing out, and can draft at the center seam if they fall out of alignment.
What is the difference between a double door and a French door?
A double door is any pair of doors, often solid. A French door is a pair of doors made mostly of glass, designed to let light through.
What is the difference between a patio door and a French door?
Patio door usually means a sliding glass door. French doors are hinged pairs, though many makers also offer French-style sliding patio doors.
get help choosing a patio door
Call us or send the estimate form. We will look at your space and your deck and recommend the door that fits.
Call (508) 266-5411 Send the estimate form