Decision struggle - French doors or sliding to patio

[Anonymous]

I need some input. We have a gorgeous backyard currently accessed by French doors from our kitchen onto the deck. It is a double French door and one stationary glass panel (so three panels total). It gives a nice view to the backyard, but each door has 5 inches of wood framing the glass so there is not as much glass/view as you would hope. These doors came with the house and we will probably be replacing them in the next few years as they are aging.

I’m really tempted to get a sliding door. The only reason is I want as much glass as possible to brighten the house and show the backyard more. But I know that doors are considered much more upscale than sliding doors…
Would it be absolutely foolish of me to get a sliding door in order to have more glass view of the backyard?

[Anonymous]

Yeah, probably. Depending on the architecture of your house. Try to match the house.

[Anonymous]

I mean, are you planning to stay there long enough to enjoy the light? Then get what you want, value/opinion be damned.

[Anonymous]

I like the look of the pella or marvin that has decoration sliding doors. A grid

[Anonymous]

Look for modern style French doors. The styles are thinner than the typical 4”.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Look for modern style French doors. The styles are thinner than the typical 4”.

Here’s an example from Weathershield. It’s their contemporary collection with narrower styles. https://weathershield.com/products/hinged-patio-door-contemporary-collection/

[Anonymous]

Agree that you can find modern French doors if they match the rest of your house.

[Anonymous]

Do you have screens? Sliders can have screens to leave them open for air. But those fall off track easily. We switched to French and it's plenty of light.

[Anonymous]

I prefer sliders so we can keep them open with screens.

[Anonymous]

Another option is to frame it up for a large piece of glass, and have a door at one end of it.

[_____][_]

[Anonymous]

How about one french door with glass panels?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another option is to frame it up for a large piece of glass, and have a door at one end of it.

[_____][_]

Floor to ceiling windows.

[Anonymous]

I love French doors and think they look much higher end than a large sliding door. But/ it’s your house! If you prefer the view from a siding door then go for it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I mean, are you planning to stay there long enough to enjoy the light? Then get what you want, value/opinion be damned.

This is what I did. I wanted the light so I got a slider.

[Anonymous]

Sliding doors are a no-no if you want a good air seal.
They're also kind of suburban ranch style 1980s. Makes me think of middle Long Island.

If your windows have divided lites, get French doors that match. Will visually look better.