French doors or Sliding patio doors? (window, install, living room, molding)
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
If you only had 4 feet to work with, which would you go with, french doors or sliding doors?
The only issue with getting the french doors is the possibilities of bugs coming in the house from outside if we leave the doors wide open during the summer... But then again, I'm not sure if a 4 feet sliding door makes sense when only half is open at any time...
I'll love to hear any input from those who have one or both... Thanks!
I definitely would not go with sliding doors- I doubt you could even find that size available- it is just too small to be an outdoor opening. Even french doors would be a small size, typically you would only find this size in a vintage house on a small balcony or something like that, but it would work. A single 4' door could work, depends if it has a wall to open onto or not as it's kind of large for a single leaf. Have you considered a 2'6-3'0 single door with an single operable screened sidelight? I think this is a very functional door- you can keep the door closed, not require a screen for it and leave the sidelight open at all times (weather permitting of course- here is San Diego that is what we do year round) and have a secure (too small to gain entry) and screened opening for ventilation.
Go with French door(s). If you truly have only 48" to work with I would get a single unit with fixed sidelight. I am not a huge fan of the "venting" sidelights -- more sealing surfaces means more to leak.
If you are worried about bugs there are good solutions to have a retractable screen to keep 'em out. For one of my favorites check out RollAway Screen Doors and Window Screens
We had sliding doors in the living room and master bedroom. We replaced both with french doors last summer, and I would never have sliding again. Everything about french is far better.
The company who's doors we purchased had the retractable screens as an option, so we got them, too..!
Now on a weekend morning, we open the french doors, turn on the waterfall and lie in bed and enjoy the sounds and the senery...!
Typically residential doors open inward. So if your two 2' doors open in, you can install two 2' screen doors opening out.
I'm personally a big fan of 42" doors. They feels spacious & if they are glazed the opening feels like an actual window in terms of light & view. I also like the window to only be 1/2 or 3/4 the height- just seems to have more character regardless of door style.
48 inches?Most french doors are much wider. Perhaps a framed set of glass panes with a 36 indoor next to it. That is only 12 inches for the fixed panes even then.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
