While most people think of a sliding glass door when someone mentions the phrase "patio door," door companies can tell you that you can also have hinged patio doors installed on your house.
Both options give you lots of natural lighting and a beautiful view, visually bringing the beauty of nature into your living room or bedroom.
Which style you want installed in your house will depend largely on your personal preference and how much space you have in and around the area where they will be installed.
Sliding Patio Doors These are sometimes referred to as "sliders" by door companies.
Sliding doors have a contemporary look and feel to them and work well with almost any décor.
The most common style features two panels with uninterrupted panes of glass.
One is stationary while the other slides along a track.
One of the biggest advantages of sliders is that you don't need any empty space around them because they slide flush to the wall.
While earlier models were almost all manufactured in metal, you can now get them in vinyl or wood.
You'll get decent ventilation with a sliding patio door and it's easy to have a screen installed that will glide along an outside track so that you can easily open and close it.
Hinged Patio Doors Many people refer to these as "French style," but that can be a bit misleading.
While French doors are always hinged, not all hinged styles are French.
The traditional French varietyhave two openings set side-by-side, with both of them swinging either outward or inward, essentially giving you twice the space that's open to the outside.
Most models have grilles to give your house a touch of traditional, French country appeal.
You can also have a single pane installed if you want one that swings open but you don't have the wall space for two-full sized panes.
Hinged doors give you more ventilation options, as you can open either side by itself or swing both sides wideopen, giving your home a greater expanse of fresh air.
You can also open one side or the other, depending on where you want the greatest amount of airflow.
Although these didn't often have screens in prior decades, you can now get them with screens that glide along an exterior track, much like the ones found on sliders.
If you prefer the look of the hinged variety, be sure to measure how much space you have for the swinging motion when you open them.
You'll either need to have enough space inside your house for them to swing inward or enough space surrounding the outside for them to swing outward.
If there are obstructions such as furniture or other entryways within the arc of the opening, it will severely limit their usefulness.
Check Out Door Companies For More Options Some door companies now offer sliders that have grilles installed that mimic the look of French patio doors, giving you even more options.
Be sure to talk to door companies in your area about your options before installation to determine the best choice for your home.