Patio doors vs Garden doors

Sliding door - Pros & Cons

Style & design

• PRO - A contemporary modern look more suited to newer home designs
• PRO - Can be designed to 3 and 4-panel configurations
• PRO - Can be custom manufactured to non-standard heights and widths
• PRO - Sliding screen doors are standard, allowing for full open-door ventilation and an extra locking capability
• CON - May seem out of place in an older home
• CON - Limited to solid glass styles

Space & ease of use

• PRO - Most people (young and old) find them easy to operate
• PRO - Sliding patio doors slide open and don’t take up any interior space
• CON - The sliding track can potentially trip those not aware of its presence
• CON - Because one door is usually fixed, it has a limited open space width for taking things in and out of the home

Energy efficiency

• PRO - A vinyl sliding patio door is an oversize window and can be fitted with a double or triple pane option
• PRO - Low-E glass coatings can control UV levels entering the home and provide additional energy efficiencies
• PRO- Allow more light into the home than Garden doors

Viewing

• PRO - By its construction nature patio doors maximize the glass surface area and the ratio of glass to frame providing an unobstructed view of your backyard or property

Security & privacy

• PRO - Several additional security options are available
• PRO - The sliding design of patio doors allows for the integration of a security bar, upper and lower dead-bolts and kick locks
• PRO - Tempered glass prevents brake ins
• PRO - Optional inner mini blinds are available for convenience and privacy

Costs & maintenance

• PRO - Typically costs less than garden doors
• PRO - Low maintenance

Garden door - Pros & Cons

Style & design

• PRO - Can dramatically change the appearance of a home both inside and out and can match a specific style
• PRO - Available in a huge variety of colours, frames, finishes, materials and hinge swing options
• PRO - Available in a French Door style with 2 opening doors or a Centred Patio door configuration with one opening door and one fixed door
• PRO - Some manufacturers offer operational casement windows with interior screens for added for ventilation

Space & ease of use

• PRO - When opened, double door configurations can provide a bigger opening than patio doors, making it easy to move items in and out of the house
• PRO - Garden doors are a great solution for pet lovers - some styles allow for the installation of a pet door
• PRO - A sill instead of a track reduces the risk of potential tripping
• PRO - Can be designed to multiple door configurations
• CON - Screen options are limited
• CON - Requires interior or exterior space to allow the door to swing open
• CON - Must conform to standard door widths and heights

Energy efficiency

• CON - Garden doors are usually made from a combination of steel and wood and lose heat much faster than Vinyl Sliding Patio doors
• CON - Glass options typically only allow for double-glazed windows (energy efficient) and very rarely allow for triple-glazing

Viewing

• PRO - Almost endless glass options (stained glass, Tints, privacy glass…)
• CON - Because of their larger frame requirements, Garden doors let less visible light into the home than patio doors.

Security & privacy

• PRO - Glass mini blinds inserts can be fitted for privacy
• PRO - Garden doors can be customized with privacy glass, grilled glass, stained glass, etched glass or special glass coatings
• CON - French-style garden doors are less secure, due to the lack of a solid centre support
• CON - Garden doors typically have just one lock and are less secure than sliding patio doors
• CON - Multi-locking mechanisms are available for added security, but they can be awkward and expensive

Costs & maintenance

• PRO - Typically made with non-rusting, non-corrosive materials for long life
• CON - Often cost more than sliding doors

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