Sliding doors provide ultra-thin sightlines and allow you to enjoy as much natural light as possible. Providing almost uninterrupted views, they are a popular choice when it comes to glass patio doors. It can help to first learn about the other options available before purchasing sliding doors to make sure they are the best option for you.
In this guide, we compare sliding doors to French doors, lift and slide doors and bi-fold doors.
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Read about the features of sliding doors and why they are such a popular option.
Read the key differences between French doors and sliding doors and how to choose the best option for you.
Find out how each option differs from the other and how to choose the best type of sliding door for you.
Read the benefits of sliding doors and bi-fold doors and tips on deciding between the two.
Why are sliding doors so popular?
Sliding doors are made up of two or more large panes of glass that move to the side, and the panes sit behind one another.
When closed, these doors provide an almost completely uninterrupted view and are ideal for large openings where you want to enjoy the natural light and views as much as possible. A sliding door system can also be a popular choice for homeowners with limited space as they do not require as much space to open as bi-fold doors, French doors or lift and slide doors as they glide on a track rather than opening inwards or outwards.
The key benefits of sliding doors include the following:
- Take up the least amount of space when open when compared to bi-fold doors, French doors and lift and slide doors
- Impressively slim sightlines
- Lightweight aluminium makes doors easy to slide
- Can accommodate large maxmimum individual panel sizes – offering more light and less doors
- Large glass panels provide an unobstructed view whether doors are open or closed
- Wide range of panel configuration options
- They offer a contemporary, minimalistic feel
Are you interested in finding out more about sliding doors? Request a brochure here or contact one of our installers.
Below, we explain how sliding doors compare to other popular exterior glass doors such as French doors, lift and slide doors and bi-fold doors:
Sliding doors vs French doors
As opposed to sliding doors, French doors open inwards or outwards and offer fewer panels than sliding doors – offering two panels, whereas sliding doors offer up to six. However, French doors are a slightly more affordable option and offer a timeless and classic option.
French doors providing the following key benefits:
- Their classic, timeless design is a key reason for their popularity
- Premium-quality French doors feature a 180-degree opening
- Modestly priced for the quality
- French doors can open inwards or outwards, depending on the space available, and will therefore suit most floorplans
- At Origin, we can build them to fit into apertures up to 2.4m, and can be manufactured with side flags (windows) to let them fit in larger apertures
The following table summarises the key differences between each option:
| Doors | Configuration | Panels | Max size | Layout considerations | Affordability | Appearance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
French Doors | Inwards or outwards | 2 | 2.4m | Partial constriction | Less costly | Classic opening |
Sliding doors | Left or right | Up to 6 | 13m | Minimal constriction | More costly | Contemporary opening |
You can find out more about the benefits of French doors by requesting one of our brochures.
Making a choice
The affordable luxury of French doors makes them the best choice for the budget-conscious buyer looking for a classic design. If you are looking for a more traditional feel rather than a minimalistic, contemporary feel, you may want to opt for French doors.
On the other hand, a set of slim, expansive sliding doors would be ideal if you are looking for a space-saving option and an expansive view of your garden. The contemporary, minimalistic feel of sliding doors is perfect if you are seeking a more modern style over a traditional option such as French doors.
Choosing the right option for you also depends on how many panels you want – if you have a large aperture to fill and need more doors to fill the space, sliding doors are the best option as they accommodate up to six panels. However, French doors are ideal if affordability is your priority.
Inline sliding doors vs lift and slide doors
Inline sliding doors, such as Origin Sliding Doors, are conventional sliding doors that sit in the track and are designed to allow the door to glide smoothly. You can choose between 2, 3, 4, and 6-panel setups for an inline sliding door.
Made from aluminium, UPVC or timber, inline sliding doors are flexible, versatile and are ideal for both small and large openings. A compact option, these doors are a great option if space is limited, as there’s no inward or outward swing because all opening takes place on one track. They also offer very slim sightline options, ensuring you have the best view possible.
You can find out more about the benefits of French doors by requesting one of our brochures.
Lift and slide doors, on the other hand, have three main components: the rollers, the track that the rollers glide across, and a handle mechanism that locks the door and can be used by lifting the handle of the door up or down 180 degrees. By lifting the handle, you will raise the door onto the rollers from a position that is flush with the ground, which allows it to glide across the track. When the handle is pulled down, the door will seal, and the rollers will come off the track. You will then be able to lock the door in an open position. This feature is beneficial in preventing injuries if children attempt to slide the doors.
Lift and slide doors can be manufactured in 2, 3, and 4 glass panel configurations and tend to carry increased weight versus inline sliding doors; however, they are easy to slide regardless of weight as a result of the rollers.
The key benefits of lift and slide doors are as follows:
- Good thermal efficiency
- Ideal if you are concerned about the safety of children
- Can handle larger weights than inline doors
The following table summarises the differences between each option:
Factor | Inline sliding doors | Lift and slide doors |
|---|---|---|
| No. of panels | 2-6 | 2-4 |
| Size range (meters) | 1.228m - 13.2m | 1.2m - 6m |
| Max weight (kilograms) per sash | 200kg | 400kg |
| Lock in place function | No, but is fitted with weighted bearings | Yes |
Are you considering getting an inline sliding door fitted? Find your local installer to find out more.
Making a choice
Lift and slide doors are an excellent option if you’re looking for a configuration that can handle the largest of weights. This type of door may also be ideal if you are concerned about the safety of young children, as they are lockable in the open position.
However, if you are interested in a lightweight, ultra-slim yet strong sliding glass door, you may want to consider an inline sliding door. Allowing up to six panels, inline doors are also the best choice if you have a large aperture to fill. We would also recommend an inline sliding door if you are looking for a more cost-effective, minimalistic option than a lift and slide door. Inline doors feature minimal sightlines and are a great option for you if slim sightlines are your priority. The Origin Artisan Sliding Door, for example, offers impressive sightlines of just 20mm.
Sliding doors vs bi-fold doors
Bifold doors are a hugely popular solution for bringing the outside in, and are made up of a minimum of two-door leaves, which fold back against themselves in a concertina style when opened. The panels are connected by hinges and run back and forth along a top and bottom track using a carriage system.
Bi-fold doors have the ability to open up an entire opening, helping connect the inside of your home seamlessly with your outdoor space and create a more open-plan home. Another key feature of bi-fold doors is that they include an access or traffic door to allow ease of access between the garden and your home without the need to slide back all of the doors.
The key benefits of bi-fold doors are as follows:
- Traffic door option available
- Opens inwards or outwards and can open to the left or to the right
- Wide range of options and configurations
- Can be opened to connect indoors and outdoors seamlessly
- Available with a low threshold
- Work in a large or small opening
Interesting in getting a bi-fold door fitted? Find a local installer here.
Below are the key differences between each option:
Bi-fold doors | Sliding doors | |
|---|---|---|
| View when closed | Very good | Excellent |
| View when open | Excellent | Very good |
| Ease of access | Excellent | Very good |
| Configuration variety | Excellent | Good |
| Space saving | Good | Excellent |
| Visual appearance | Excellent | Excellent |
| Affordability* | More affordable | Less affordable |
Making a choice
Bi-fold doors can offer a slightly better view when open and provide greater ease of access and configuration variety. They are also slightly more affordable than sliding doors. However, it is worth taking into consideration that bi-fold doors require space to stack inside or outside the home, so sliding doors may be a better option if you have limited space. The higher number of frames in bi-fold doors can also obstruct the view.
Sliding doors, on the other hand, are a great option if space-saving is your priority. They also offer a better view when closed as the panel sizes are bigger individually. They can typically accommodate larger panel sizes, offering more glass and less frame than bi-fold doors. Sliding doors also offer slimmer sightlines, with our Origin Artisan Slider (OS-20) offering only 20mm sightlines. These sightlines allow you to maximise the amount of natural light within your home and enjoy almost uninterrupted views.
Find out more about the differences between sliding doors and bi-fold doors here.
Interested in finding out more?
You can find out more about bi-fold doors by requesting a brochure.
Contact one of our installers if you are interested in getting inline sliding doors, French doors or bi-fold doors installed.
