Things to Consider When Buying Your French Patio Doors

There are a number of things that you need to consider when buying your French patio doors. Are you going to hire someone to install them for you or are you going to do it yourself? What among the different patio designs are you going to get? Of what type of material would you want your patio doors to be? Where are you going to get it from? This article will attempt to make your decision a lot easier by narrowing down your choices.

Different Types of Patio Doors

Sliding Patio Doors

These may either be two-, three-, or four-panels wide and are sold “knocked-down” so if you are considering on installing the doors by yourself, you should be prepared to assemble the unit.

The two-panel sliding doors appear with one active (sliding) panel and an inactive component (stationary). It is your choice which part, right or left, would be the active one and it should be installed with that in mind.

The three-panel design has the inactive part at the center with the active parts lying on either side of the stationary panel.

Finally, a four-panel sliding door will have two inactive panels on the outside and two active parts that slide open and close in the middle.

These are available in aluminum, wood, and PVC vinyl

Swinging Patio Doors

Usually two to three panels wide, the active panel is attached to the inactive panels.

This particular design is more secure and efficient compared to sliding doors.

These are available in wood, PVC vinyl, insulated steel, or fiberglass.

French Doors

This design is composed of two panels hinged at the outer part with two active panels that can swing in and out at the center.

Initially unpopular due to its inferior locking system but with the discovery of the three-point locking system, the French door security has improved greatly.

These are only available in wood.