All Exterior French Doors

One of the most popular improvements that are made to a home is the addition of patio doors. One of the most common options for the homeowner is to use an exterior French door. There are many different types of doors which are referred to as “patio doors.” These include sliding patio doors, swinging patio doors and French doors.

Sliding patio doors come with two, three, or four panels. These types of doors will usually have one or two moving panels and one or two fixed panels. They are most often made from aluminum, wood, or PVC vinyl. Aluminum is usually your least expensive option and wood is usually the most expensive.

Swinging patio doors will usually have two or three panels with an active panel hinged to an inactive panel. The most common materials used to make swinging patio doors are fiberglass, insulated steel, wood, or PVC vinyl. Swinging patio doors tend to provide for greater energy efficiency than sliding patio doors.

French patio doors are hinged on the outside and have at least two active panels that can either swing in or out from the center. Many people have seen these patio doors as less secure than other types of patio doors because they locked into each other rather than a fixed jamb. The security of them has been much improved, however, with the advent of three point locking systems.

There are a wide array of materials that are used to create doors these days. Aluminum will be the least expensive and are resistant to weather and rust. Vinyl doors tend to provide good energy efficiency and low maintenance. The highest quality, and most expensive, type of French patio doors are those made from solid wood. You can also find wood clad doors which are wood doors and frames which have been coated in aluminum, fiberglass, or vinyl for added protection from the elements.